Gray (4-1) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over five innings in an 11-5 victory over the Rockies. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander wasn't particularly efficient in a matchup with his former club, needing 93 pitches (63 strikes) to barely qualify for the win, but the Rangers handed Gray an 8-0 lead after two innings and the outcome was never really in doubt. The 31-year-old has won three straight starts, giving up just two runs in 20 innings over that stretch with a 19:4 K:BB, and he'll try to stay locked in when he next takes the mound, which is likely to come in Baltimore next weekend.

Gray said a mechanical tweak to his slider, designed to give the pitch a "sharper break," is the main reason for a scoreless streak that reached 14.2 innings Saturday, Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gray tinkered with the new slider mechanics in spring training but ditched it for the sweeper version of the pitch that acts more like a curveball. The right-hander brought back the "sharper" slider against the Mariners his last time out, and the velocity numbers reflect the change. The pitch averaged 87 mph Saturday, nearly three mph faster than its season average.

Gray (3-1) earned the win Saturday, allowing three hits and two walks over eight scoreless innings against Oakland. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

Gray picked up his second straight quality start, blanking the lowly Athletics across eight innings Saturday after allowing one run over seven innings in his previous start. Though the 31-year-old has strung together a pair of strong performances and has yet to allow more than four runs in a start, Gray sports only a 6.31 K/9 so far, down from his 2022 average of 9.47 K/9 and 2021 average of 9.48 K/9 while giving up 1.39 HR/9, which would match his career-high. Gray has had significantly more success against right-handed hitting, allowing a slash line of .212/.278/.364 compared to a .275/.366/.478 to lefties.

Gray (2-1) earned the win Monday, allowing one run on four hits over seven innings against Seattle. He struck out eight and did not walk a batter.

EDGE Analysis

Gray had his best start of the year on Monday, setting new season-highs in strikeouts and innings pitched. This appearance was also the first time that the right-hander did not issue a free pass. The former Rockie is off to a solid start overall, posting a 3.82 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. If the 31-year-old keeps pitching at this level, this will be one of the best seasons of his career.

Gray did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing four runs on eight hits and one walk over 5.1 innings in a 6-4 win over Arizona. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

All four runs Gray allowed came in the first three innings. He settled down to retire 10 of the last 11 batters he faced and rescue what could have been a disastrous start. The 31-year-old struck out just two batters, continuing a concerning trend. Gray, who has averaged more than a strikeout per inning in his career, has 19 strikeouts in 30.2 innings in 2023.

Gray did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over six innings against the Reds. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Gray allowed a pair of runs in the second inning and another in the fifth but managed to escape further damage, logging his second quality start through five outings this season. The veteran right-hander is 1-1 with a 3.91 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 17:13 K:BB. While he's posted decent ratios, Gray's K-rate is down to 18.3% from 25.7% last season and he's currently sitting with a career-worst 13.4% walk rate.

Gray allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and five walks over 5.1 innings in Friday's loss to Oakland. He struck out two and did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Gray cruised through three shutout frames without much pushback from Oakland. He coughed up one run in the fourth inning followed by two more in the fifth, including a solo homer by Tony Kemp. Gray was charged with one more in the sixth after he was removed with 92 pitches. His K:BB now sits at a lackluster 15:11 with a 3.72 ERA across 19.1 innings. Gray is lined up to take the mound in Cincinnati next week.

Gray (elbow) is listed as the Rangers' probable starter for Friday's game against the Athletics at Globe Life Field.

EDGE Analysis

Unless his bruised right elbow/forearm presented unexpected discomfort during the bullpen session he threw Wednesday, Gray should be on tap for a normal workload Friday after his previous start last Saturday in Houston was cut short when he was hit by a comebacker. Through his first three starts of 2023, Gray has gone 1-1 with a 3.21 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB over 14 frames.

Gray (elbow) played catch on consecutive days and is expected to throw an in-between starts bullpen session Wednesday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

The news couldn't be any better for Gray, who was smoked last Saturday by a 109.3 mph comebacker off his throwing elbow. After reporting minimal pain and playing catch Sunday and Monday, the right-hander is scheduled to throw a bullpen Wednesday ahead of Friday's start against the Athletics.

Gray (elbow) said he was essentially pain free and is expected to throw his in-between starts bullpen session Wednesday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. "I really think I dodged a bullet," Gray said. "I came out of it less sore than I thought I'd be."

EDGE Analysis

Gray intended to play catch Sunday and again Monday before Wednesday's bullpen. If all goes well, the right-hander is planned to start Friday against Oakland, which ranks 26th in OPS (.683).