Cal Quantrill continued his impressive run for the Texas Rangers on Thursday night, giving the team another dominant performance at a critical point in the season.
The veteran right-hander held the Tampa Bay Rays scoreless on two hits over seven innings in Texas' 6-0 home victory.
Quantrill recorded five strikeouts and issued two walks while improving to 7-5.
It marked the third time in his past four outings that he completed at least six scoreless innings.
Quantrill posted a 1.45 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 31 innings over six appearances (one start) in August. Now, after his performance against the Rays he has a 2.79 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 96.2 innings over 29 appearances (12 starts) this season.
His path to this point has been unusual.
Before joining Texas, Quantrill had made 149 career starts and had not pitched in relief since 2021 with the then-Cleveland Indians.
He began this season in Triple-A before quickly earning another opportunity in the majors.
The Rangers initially used him primarily as an innings eater out of the bullpen.
Instead of pitching in high-leverage situations, Quantrill was often asked to cover innings when games had already become one-sided.
He still made the most of every opportunity.
Whether Texas needed two innings, someone to finish a game or a starter capable of working seven innings, Quantrill consistently gave manager Skip Schumaker another option.
Quantrill told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com that he believes opportunities are earned.
He has viewed this season as a chance to become a better pitcher, reestablish himself and prove that he can both pitch deep into games and contribute effectively from the bullpen.
Quantrill also understood the role he was accepting when he joined Texas and believes his goals remain aligned with the organization's pursuit of a postseason berth.
"You get what you earn, and I think that this has been an opportunity to become a better pitcher, and reestablish myself, and prove that I can pitch deep into games," Quantrill said.
"But I can also be good out of the 'pen. I knew what I was signing up for here. I think we're aligned on what our goals are, and that's to go to the playoffs."
Quantrill's versatility allows Schumaker to use him according to the needs of the pitching staff rather than locking him into one assignment.
His adaptability is equally important.
Moving between starting and relieving requires different preparation, routines and expectations, but Quantrill has embraced those changes instead of letting them disrupt his performance.
His willingness to accept less glamorous assignments matters as well.
Contending teams need pitchers who can absorb difficult innings, change roles without warning and provide stability when plans change.
Quantrill has shown he can do all of those things.
Texas has won four of its last five games and now sits two games behind the Houston Astros in the American League West and half a game behind the Cleveland Guardians for the final American League Wild Card spot.
No pitcher can carry that chase alone, but Quantrill has given the Rangers exactly the kind of flexibility and reliability they need.
