Royals ride strong pitching, defense into series with Rangers

As Texas opens a weekend series against the Kansas City Royals, the visiting Rangers are both pleased and concerned with their pitching situation. While solid pitching has lifted the Rangers to consecutive series wins -- posting a 1.83 ERA while winning four out of six and lowering their opposition batting average to .208, the third-best mark in the majors -- the club has growing injury concerns. Left-hander Nathan Eovaldi left in the sixth inning of Texas' 6-0 victory over the Washington Nationals on Thursday after feeling tightness in his right groin.