The winning pitcher Monday night for the Texas Rangers could very well be their Opening Day starter next season.
Some of that is by default, as left-hander Mike Minor is the only starting pitcher who has a contract for 2019. With 12 wins and an ERA trending nicely toward 4.00, he has earned consideration.
Other pitchers on the lineup card Wednesday night at Angel Stadium technically are under contract, as they are under club control, but have only a relative handful of MLB starts.
One of them, Adrian Sampson, suddenly seems to be a candidate for the 2019 rotation after allowing one run and two hits in five innings Tuesday in a tough-luck 1-0 loss.