The Texas Rangers welcome the Boston Red Sox to Globe Life Field on Thursday, September 17, 2026, for a 8:05 PM ET first pitch in a late-season regular season matchup that carries real weight as both clubs look to close out their schedules on a strong note. Tyler Alexander gets the ball for Texas, drawing the opposing assignment against veteran right-hander Sonny Gray. This is a prime-time opportunity for the Rangers to take care of business at home in front of their Arlington faithful.
Probable Pitchers: Tyler Alexander vs. Sonny Gray
Tyler Alexander draws the start for the Rangers. A left-handed pitcher who has shown the ability to work through lineups with a varied arsenal, Alexander will need to keep Boston's offense off-balance in what figures to be a competitive outing. His effectiveness will depend heavily on commanding the strike zone and limiting hard contact against a Red Sox lineup that is always capable of stringing hits together.
On the other side, Boston sends Sonny Gray to the hill. Gray is an experienced arm who knows how to pitch to contact and work both sides of the plate. He can be stingy with runs when his mechanics are locked in, and the Rangers' lineup will need to work counts against him rather than chasing early pitches out of the zone. Getting into the Red Sox bullpen early is a priority if Texas wants to manufacture runs in the later innings.
Keys to Watch for the Texas Rangers
- Alexander's command: If he can establish himself inside the strike zone early, he gives the Rangers a chance to get deep into this game without burning through the bullpen unnecessarily.
- Plate discipline against Gray: Gray is the kind of pitcher who benefits from hitters being too aggressive. Texas needs patient at-bats and the ability to capitalize on pitch sequences that work in the hitter's favor.
- Globe Life Field home advantage: The Rangers have a chance to feed off their home environment. A loud crowd and familiar surroundings can make a difference in a tight game down the stretch of the regular season.
- Bullpen depth: If Alexander does not go deep, the Rangers will lean on their relief corps. Managing those arms wisely in a late-September game matters with the schedule winding down.
Broadcast Information
Thursday's game can be seen locally on Rangers Sports Network, presented by Progressive, and on NESN for Red Sox fans. Radio coverage is available on 105.3 The Fan in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and on WEEI 93.7 for Boston listeners. Spanish-language coverage is available on KFLC 1270.
Prediction
This is a winnable game for Texas at home. Alexander gives the Rangers a steady presence on the mound, and pitching at Globe Life Field with a familiar crowd behind them is an advantage worth something in late September. Gray is no pushover, but the Rangers have the lineup depth to work through him if they stay disciplined. Expect a close, low-scoring game that comes down to the middle innings. Texas takes this one, 4-2.
