Texas vs Arizona   Results, Match Player Stats & Records

"He's a stopper," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. "You know, every fifth day you get a really, really good chance at winning a baseball game. That's nice to know."

Rodriguez (15-5, 2.55 ERA) will oppose solid Texas right-hander Cal Quantrill (8-5, 2.89) in the finale of a three-game series in Phoenix that has playoff implications for both.

The Rangers (73-76) gained a game in both the American League West and wild-card races with their 6-2 win Saturday. They are two games behind Houston (75-74) in the division and two behind Cleveland (75-74) for the third AL wild-card spot.

The D-backs (79-70) are 1 1/2-games behind San Diego (80-68) for the third NL wild card. The Chicago Cubs (83-66) are one game ahead of Philadelphia (82-67) for the top spot.

Texas added reinforcements for the stretch drive Saturday, and both right-hander Nathan Eovaldi and third baseman Josh Jung made immediate contributions.

Eovaldi pitched 2 2/3 innings of relief in his first regular-season appearance out of the bullpen since 2019, and Jung had two hits and an RBI. Both were activated from the injured list before the game.

"‘Evo' had 45 pitches tonight and I was going to use every one of them," Texas manager Skip Schumaker said. "I thought he got better as he was going. I wanted to keep going (with him), but his health is always in the back of my mind.

"Now that J.J. (Jung) is back, I'm going to give him some runway. He's earned it. This is not about feelings or anything. We don't have time. We've got to go."

Rodriguez is tied for second in the NL wins and third in ERA, which would be the best of his career after he posted a 3.30 ERA with Detroit before signing a four-year $80 million free agent deal with the D-backs.

He is 5-1 with a 1.96 ERA in his last six outings, four quality starts.

"He fills the strike zone," Lovullo said. "He gets big outs. He doesn't get too excited. He never gets rattled or jangled."

Rodriguez is 4-1 with a 5.08 ERA in seven career starts against the Rangers, although he has not faced them since 2022. Jake Burger is 3-for-8 against him. Corey Seager is 2-for-9.

Quantrill has hit his stride after opening the season in the bullpen. He is 4-1 with a 1.69 ERA with quality starts in his last five appearances and was the Rangers' pitcher of the month for August while taking over after injuries to Eovaldi and Jack Leiter.

"He's pitched like an ace," Schumaker said. "I don't know what we'd be doing (without him), because he's not only provided quality start after quality start but he's become this innings eater as well, which has been huge.

"Cal has been that guy that stops the bleeding and has provided that for us. He's been excellent."

Quantrill beat Seattle 10-5 his last time out Tuesday, giving up three runs in six innings after throwing seven shutout innings in a 6-0 win over Tampa Bay on Sept. 3.

He is 2-3 with a 5.68 ERA in nine appearances, seven starts, against the D-backs. He got the win in a 6-5 walkoff victory with an inning of scoreless relief May 13. Ketel Marte is 4 for 14 with two homers against him.

-Field Level Media