Texas Rangers vs Atlanta Braves

Texas Rangers at Atlanta Braves (2026-07-18). MacKenzie Gore vs Owen Murphy at Truist Park.

Starters — Gore has a 4.63 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 105 innings, with 9.86 K/9, 3.51 BB/9, and 1.03 HR/9. His last three starts were uneven: 4 IP, 1 ER, 4 K, 1 BB on July 12; 5 IP, 7 ER, 7 K, 1 BB on July 8; and 5 IP, 5 ER, 7 K, 1 BB on July 1. The strikeout rate remains strong, but the recent run prevention has been volatile, and the listed trend is up. Murphy has a 2.25 ERA and 0.25 WHIP over just 4 innings, with 9.0 K/9, 0.0 BB/9, and 0.0 HR/9. His last two appearances were 3 IP, 0 ER, 3 K, 0 BB on July 11 and 1 IP, 1 ER, 1 K, 0 BB on July 6. The surface numbers are excellent, but the sample is extremely small.

Teams — Texas enters with a .717 OPS, 400 runs scored, a .244 team average, and a pitching staff carrying a 4.25 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP. The Rangers are 5-5 over their last 10 games, which fits a fairly neutral recent profile. Atlanta has a .729 OPS, 475 runs scored, a .249 team average, and stronger run prevention overall with a 3.58 team ERA and 1.22 WHIP. The Braves are also 5-5 in their last 10, but their season-long edge shows up more clearly in total offense and staff efficiency.