Dunning is likely to start for the Rangers in Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday at Baltimore, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dunning was not needed in the best-of-three AL Wild Card Series, with Texas earning a quick two-game sweep of the Rays, so he would be on five full days of rest for Saturday's ALDS opener versus the Orioles. Assuming the 28-year-old right-hander is indeed the pick for Game 1, the Rangers would probably then roll with Jordan Montgomery as their starter in ALDS Game 2 on Sunday followed by Nathan Eovaldi in ALDS Game 3 on Tuesday.

Dunning (12-7) allowed one run on four hits and a walk while striking out four over 3.1 innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

Dunning was working on short rest, but it was the Rangers' lack of offense Sunday that led to the loss. The only run in the 1-0 game came after Dunning loaded the bases in the fourth inning and Martin Perez allowed an inherited runner to score on a groundout. Dunning had two quality starts and four outings with mixed results over his last six starts of the regular season, and he'll end with a 3.70 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 140:55 K:BB through 172.2 innings across 35 appearances (26 starts). The right-hander likely won't be available for a start in the wild-card round versus the Rays.

Dunning will start Sunday's game against the Mariners, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Rangers will call on Dunning to pitch on only three days of rest with an opportunity to clinch the division on the line. He tossed a gem in his last outing Wednesday against the Angels by firing seven scoreless innings on 87 pitches, so it's unclear as to how long he'll be able to go Saturday.

Dunning (12-6) allowed three hits and a walk while striking out seven over seven shutout innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Dunning has kept runs off the board in two of his last three outings, though he still gave up 16 runs across 28.2 innings in five September starts. The right-hander has likely made his last regular-season start, posting a 3.72 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 136:54 K:BB over 169.1 innings over 34 appearances (25 starts). It's unclear if Dunning will be considered for postseason starts in the likely event the Rangers clinch a playoff spot.

Dunning (11-6) yielded four runs on four hits and two walks over 5.1 frames Friday, striking out two and earning a win over the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

Dunning rolled through five shutout frames before Cal Raleigh belted a three-run shot in the sixth inning. The Rangers were up 8-0 prior to that, so Dunning still snagged his 11th win of the year and second of the month. Over his last nine starts, he's gone 2-2 while posting an unsightly 5.66 ERA. Dunning will carry a 3.88 ERA into his next outing, which is lined up to be on the road against the Angels.

Dunning did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing six hits and three walks over five scoreless innings in a 2-1 loss to Cleveland. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

After surrendering 19 runs across his last four outings (19.1 innings), Dunning blanked the Guardians over five innings Saturday. While the start also marked Dunning's fifth consecutive appearance walking multiple batters, he was exceptional in limiting power, preventing Cleveland from registering an extra-base hit. The 28-year-old is tentatively scheduled to make his next appearance against the Mariners, who score the 10th most runs per game in MLB.

Dunning (10-6) earned the win Monday, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks over six innings against Toronto. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

After allowing nine runs out of the bullpen in his last appearance, Dunning was sharp in his return to a starting role, recording a quality start and a win over the Blue Jays. The 28-year-old Dunning had struggled to a 6.13 ERA in his previous nine outings (47 innings). Overall, he sports a 3.91 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP and 122:48 K:BB across 152 innings this season. Dunning's currently lined up for a road matchup with the Guardians in his next start.

Dunning is scheduled to start Monday's game in Toronto, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

For the first time since late April, Dunning worked out of the bullpen for his most recent appearance Sept. 5, covering 5.1 innings of long relief in a blowout loss to the Astros while giving up nine earned runs on 11 hits and two walks. Despite the rough showing, Dunning will step back into the rotation this week, taking the hill Monday for what would have been Andrew Heaney's turn. Heaney dazzled with six strikeouts over 3.2 scoreless innings in a relief appearance in Sunday's win over Oakland, but it's unclear if Heaney will continue to work out of the bullpen moving forward or if both he and Dunning will be included as part of a six-man rotation.

Dunning allowed nine runs on 11 hits and two walks while striking out four over 5.1 relief innings in Tuesday's 14-1 loss to Houston.

EDGE Analysis

Dunning, who had been a regular member of the rotation since May, entered after starter Nathan Eovaldi was chased with one out in the second inning. Dunning gave the Rangers bulk innings, but he continued a trend of worrisome performances. The right-hander has allowed 16 runs on 21 hits (five home runs) and 10 walks in 13.1 innings over his last three outings. His use out of the bullpen precludes Dunning from any potential start until the weekend, although the Rangers do have five healthy starters (including Eovaldi). That Dunning was used as a long reliever Tuesday may indicate he's going to pitch out of the bullpen going forward.

Dunning allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four batters over four innings in a no-decision against the Mets on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

All of the damage against Dunning came in the second inning, when he gave up three runs, two of which came on back-to-back long balls by Daniel Vogelbach and DJ Stewart. Though Dunning put up a zero in each of his other frames, he needed 74 pitches to get through four innings and didn't make it to the mound for the fifth. The right-hander began August by posting a 2.18 ERA and 29:4 K:BB over 20.2 frames across his first three starts, but he's ended the month much less positively, allowing 10 runs while recording a 14:9 K:BB across 11 innings over his past three appearances.