Opposite dugout: Fortified Rangers on top in AL West, will present a tough challenge

Manager: Jeff Banister (2nd season)

Record: 62-44

Last 10 games: 7-3

Who to watch: CF Ian Desmond (.303 with 20 HR, 63 RBIs, 17 SB), RF Nomar Mazara (13 HR, 43 RBIs), 3B Adrian Beltre (16 HR, 65 RBIs), 2B Rougned Odor (21 HR, 54 RBIs, 10 SB), RF/DH Carlos Beltrain (.304/.344/.546 with 22 homers, 64 RBIs), LHP Cole Hamels (12-2, 2.84 ERA), RHP Yu Darvish (2-2, 3.09 ERA), RHP Sam Dyson (2.42 ERA, 22 saves)

Season series vs. Orioles: 3-1

Pitching probables:

Aug. 2: RHP Yu Darvish vs. RHP Dylan Bundy, 7:05 p.m., MASN
Aug. 3: LHP Cole Hamels vs. RHP Kevin Gausman, 7:05 p.m., MASN2
Aug. 4: RHP A.J. Griffin vs. RHP Yovani Gallardo, 7:05 p.m., MASN

Inside the Rangers:

The Rangers will be a formidable opponent for the Orioles, since they boast the best record in the American League, lead the AL West by 5 1/2 games and have already won three of the four games between the teams. Texas tried hard to gird itself for the stretch run, adding All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy and closer Jeremy Jeffress in a deal with the Brewers, and ageless slugger Carlos Beltran in a trade with the Yankees; expect to see them in uniform for Tuesday's opener of a three-game series at Camden Yards. Even without injured starters like designated hitter Prince Fielder (season-ending neck surgery) and outfielder Shin-soo Choo (lower back inflammation), the Rangers have managed to generate plenty of offense: They have 139 homers, sixth-best in the majors, and rank in the top third in a bevy of offensive categories. They've needed that offense to offset a pitching staff that allows way too many runs (4.36 ERA) and strikes out far too few hitters (694, last in the majors).

Two key cogs in the lineup are center fielder Ian Desmond and second baseman Rougned Odor. Desmond, who signed for an inexpensive one-year, $8 million contract when he couldn't find a better free agent deal after bolting from the Nationals and changed from shortstop to outfield, has been a steady force, slashing .303/.355/.519 with 20 homers, 65 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. When he's not clocking Toronto's Jose Bautista for a hard slide, Odor has slammed a team-leading 21 homers and driven in 54 runs. Odor slashed .311/.324/.577 in July. Third baseman Adrian Beltre still knows how to get baserunners across the plate - he's got a team-leading 65 RBIs - and rookie right fielder Nomar Mazara has chipped in 13 homers and 43 RBIs. While Odor was serving his suspension for punching Bautista, perennial prospect Jurickson Profar was summoned from the minors and has stayed put. He's morphed into a super utility guy, and is hitting .296. Lucroy, who hit .299 with the Brewers, will be the new starting catcher. Beltran, who slashed .304/.344/.546 with 22 homers and 64 RBIs with the Yankees, probably gets most of his at-bats as a DH, but could see time in the outfield to keep him a viable defensive option.

Righty Yu Darvish starts the series opener for the Rangers, and has pitched well since returning in late May from Tommy John surgery. Still, he's 0-2 in his past four outings, though he's gone a season-high six innings in his last two starts, including a July 22 game where he fanned a season-best 11 Royals. Darvish has never faced the Orioles. Lefty Cole Hamels, Wednesday's starter, is 3-0 in his past four starts, and has yielded only two runs over his past three games. In his last outing, Hamels worked eight innings, allowing six hits and two runs, and striking out a season-high 12 Royals. In four lifetime starts against the O's, Hamels is 1-2 with a 4.44 ERA, and he's 0-1 with a 12.60 ERA in his lone career start at Camden Yards. Right shoulder stiffness has limited right-hander A.J. Griffin to just 13 starts this season, and he's just 1-1 over his last nine starts, the victory coming in his last outing. On July 29, Griffin went 5 2/3 innings against the Royals, yielding two runs on three hits and two walks. He's prone to the home run ball, having allowed 10 in 67 2/3 innings, including at least one in each of his last seven starts. Griffin has never pitched at Camden Yards, but is 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA in one career start versus Baltimore.

Texas had better get deep efforts from starting pitchers because the Rangers bullpen has posted a 4.78 ERA, worst in the AL. Sam Dyson is the closer, and he has 22 saves in 24 chances, a 2.42 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. But he's also pitched in a team-high 51 games. Despite saving 27 games with a 2.22 ERA, Jeffress will likely be the set-up man to Dyson.