BASEBALL: Optimistic Rangers begin weekend series against Tigers

All things considered, Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker appears pleased with his team's performance heading into May.

The Rangers are 15-16 as they begin a three-game series against the host Detroit Tigers on Friday.

Texas snapped a three-game losing streak and concluded its nine-game homestand with a 3-0 win over the New York Yankees on Wednesday. Detroit beat the host Atlanta Braves 5-2 on Thursday to avoid a three-game sweep.

Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford missed the past eight games with a strained right forearm, but Schumaker said he could return as soon as this weekend.

Even with Langford sidelined and star shortstop Corey Seager off to a slow start, Schumaker believes his team is trending in the right direction.

"I think we match up as good as anybody in the league," Schumaker said. "We were in every single game, even the ones we didn't end up winning. It shows a lot about who's in that clubhouse. ... Could we have a better record? Of course. But there are some signs of things to be excited about. That's the main thing."

MacKenzie Gore (2-2, 4.35 ERA) will take the mound for Texas in the series opener. The left-hander yielded three runs over five innings in a no-decision against the Athletics on Saturday.

Gore, 27, has issued 12 walks in 19 2/3 innings across his past four starts, but he was encouraged by his efficiency toward the end of his Saturday outing.

"I thought we made an adjustment after the third inning," Gore said. "I haven't been very good with two strikes in the last week and a half. Their lineup did a good job, but I think my last two outings have been very good with two strikes. We've made an adjustment after the third and I think moving forward, we'll continue to make that adjustment, and we'll be OK."

Gleyber Torres has one hit in eight at-bats against Gore, who owns a 5.40 ERA in two career games (one start) vs. Detroit.

The Tigers will counter with right-hander Jack Flaherty (0-2, 5.33), who gave up six runs over two innings in a 9-2 road loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday.

The outing marked a step back for Flaherty, 30, who owns a 28-to-22 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his six starts covering 25 1/3 innings.

"I've got to keep competing and keep trying to make pitches," Flaherty said after outing at Cincinnati. "They put some good swings on some balls. Had some long at-bats, too. Just got to keep making pitches, get back on the horse and get ready to go again in five days."

Seager is 1-for-12 with a homer against Flaherty, who is 1-1 with a 3.15 ERA in four career starts versus Texas.

Detroit moved into a tie with the Cleveland Guardians at 16-16 atop the American League Central with the Thursday win at Atlanta. Center fielder Matt Vierling went 3-for-5 with two RBIs in the victory.

"Vierling is (big) for us," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. "He plays the game well and balances and lengthens our lineup. This guy is key to this team because of the threat that he provides wherever I put him in the order, and he's holding down center field most nights."

-Field Level Media/Reuters