Josh Smith hit a two-run home run, Wyatt Langford had a bases-clearing double and the surging Texas Rangers piled up eight runs in the first three innings in an 8-1 victory over the struggling Atlanta Braves on Sunday.

The Rangers activated designated hitter Joc Pederson off of the 60-day injured list before Sunday’s series finale vs. the Atlanta Braves at Globe Life Field. Pederson, 33, hasn’t played since his hand was broken by a Bryse Wilson pitch in a May 24 game against the Chicago White Sox.

Josh Smith hit a two-run home run, Wyatt Langford had a bases-clearing double and the surging Texas Rangers piled up eight runs in the first three innings in an 8-1 victory over the struggling Atlanta Braves on Sunday.

For a majority of the 2025 MLB regular season, the Texas Rangers struggled to find any consistency, but they're surging at the right — the trade deadline.

The Texas Rangers are the hottest team in MLB. The St. Louis Cardinals are ready to hit the reset button. Perhaps there's a deal to be worked out.

The Texas Rangers are on the fringe of contention in the AL West, and have their bullpen in mind as the MLB trade deadline inches closer.

One player who will likely be available is Ozuna, and he could make a lot of sense for a team like the Rangers that is hungry for offense. The designated hitter spot was supposed to be taken care of when the team signed Joc Pederson in the offseason. However, the left-handed slugger has been injured and has struggled when healthy.

If Pederson can be an improved version of his first-half self, his return could prove a boon for a Rangers team in the middle of a playoff push.

SportsLine's proven model has simulated Atlanta vs. Texas 10,000 times and released its MLB best bets for Joey Wentz vs. Nathan Eovaldi on Friday

Things have been looking up in Texas recently. The Rangers have won five straight games, 14 of their last 20, and and 26 of their last 41. According to

In 2025, Detroit Tigers reliever Luke Jackson has posted a 4.11 ERA with 19 walks and 24 strikeouts across 35 innings in 39 games for the Texas Rangers.