The Texas Rangers welcome the Baltimore Orioles to Globe Life Field on Sunday, August 9 for a 2:35 PM ET first pitch, with right-hander Kumar Rocker getting the ball for Texas against Baltimore's Cade Povich. This is a meaningful August contest between two American League clubs who know every game on the schedule carries weight deep in the season. Catch it on Rangers Sports Network (presented by Progressive) or tune in on 105.3 The Fan for radio coverage.

Kumar Rocker vs. Cade Povich: Sunday's Starting Pitching Matchup

Rocker is the headliner here for Texas. The big right-hander has been one of the more closely watched arms in the Rangers organization, and a home start at Globe Life Field gives him a familiar setting to work with. Statistical lines for both starters were not available at the time of publication, so we'll let Sunday's performance do the talking — but Rocker's stuff is the kind that can set the tone for a full nine innings if his command is on.

Povich is a left-handed starter who has carved out a rotation spot in Baltimore. He's the type of pitcher who works the zone and keeps hitters uncomfortable with location rather than pure velocity. The Rangers lineup will need to be patient and avoid expanding early in counts if they want to get into the Baltimore bullpen.

Texas Rangers Lineup: Keys to Watch on Offense

Manager's lineup card has some interesting construction worth noting heading into Sunday.

• Wyatt Langford (LF, leadoff): Langford gets the job of setting the table. His ability to get on base and put pressure on Povich early will be critical to how this offense flows.
• Corey Seager (DH, No. 2): Seager slotting in as the designated hitter keeps his bat in the lineup without the defensive wear. A healthy Seager anywhere in this order is a problem for opposing pitchers.
• Ezequiel Duran (SS, No. 3): Duran hitting third is a sign of the trust the club has put in his development. His gap-to-gap power from the right side can punish a lefty if Povich leaves something over the plate.
• Brandon Nimmo (RF, cleanup): Nimmo in the four-hole brings professional at-bats and on-base instincts. He's not going to chase, and that discipline matters against a pitcher who works the edges.
• Jake Burger (1B, No. 5): Burger's raw power makes him dangerous in the middle of the order. One mistake pitch and this game can change in a hurry.
• Justin Foscue (2B, No. 6): Foscue continues to work for his opportunities at the big-league level. A productive day here does his case no harm.
• Cam Cauley (CF, No. 9): Cauley batting ninth in center gives the Rangers a second table-setter of sorts, someone who can turn the lineup over to Langford with traffic on base.

Three Things to Watch Sunday

• Rocker's command: How Rocker attacks the Baltimore order early will determine whether this is a quality start or a short one. First-pitch strike percentage and avoiding walks are the baseline.
• Left-on-left matchups: With Povich on the mound, how Texas's left-handed bats handle a southpaw will be a subplot worth watching inning by inning.
• Middle-inning bullpen bridge: August games have real consequences, and how both clubs manage their relievers once the starters exit could swing the final score.

Prediction: Rangers Win at Home

Globe Life Field is where this Texas team is at its best, and Rocker on the mound against a Baltimore club coming into Arlington gives the Rangers the edge. The lineup, led by Seager and Duran in the middle, has enough firepower to support a solid outing. Rangers win, 5-3.