Full coverage: Texas Rangers celebrate World Series, win wild opener vs. Cubs (2024)

Finally, the 2023 World Series champion Texas Rangers have come back to Globe Life Field.

And finally, the quest to repeat began Thursday night against the Chicago Cubs — but not before the Rangers dropped a banner to celebrate last season’s achievements.

And that’s only where the fun started.

Keep reading below for updates from Arlington via our reporters and photographers on the scene:

Game stories

- Problematic ninth turns into euphoric extra-inning Texas Rangers win on opening day

- Rangers rookie Wyatt Langford wows in opening day debut. It came as no surprise to his dad

- Nathan Eovaldi brought it in Rangers’ opener. Can what’s left of the rotation follow suit?

- 5 Texas Rangers thoughts from opening day: Jonah Heim’s heroics keep the celebration going

Off the field

- ‘Baseball is back’: Texas Rangers fans come out to see banner, team back in action

- Texas Rangers are still capitalizing on World Series win; merch sales are up tenfold

- Former President George W. Bush, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on hand at Texas Rangers opening day

Game photos

- Photos: Texas Rangers’ World Series celebration leads to wild opening day walk-off winner

Game updates

Tenth inning: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 (Final)

Top: David Robertson came into pitch, marking another Rangers debut. He would dance around the baserunner who started the inning at second base, and send the game to the bottom of the inning still tied.

Bottom: Corey Seager squibbed a dribbler to third base, pushing Marcus Semien, who started the inning on second base, to third with one out. Walks to Josh Jung and Adolis Garcia loaded the bases for Wyatt Langford, who hit a high chopper to third base, but not high enough to prevent Semien from being forced out at home. Jonah Heim then smashed a walk-off single to right center to end it.

Ninth inning: Cubs 3, Rangers 3

Top: Jose Leclerc entered the game for Texas, but couldn’t hold the lead. Chicago pushed a run across in controversial fashion after a passed ball that got behind Jonah Heim. The Rangers catcher thought it was a foul ball and Michael Busch scored from second as the ball rolled away.

Bottom: Not to be outdone, Travis Jankowski came off the bench and launched a pinch-hit homer into the right field seats to erase the deficit. Texas couldn’t add to the scoring and the game went to extra innings.

Eighth inning: Rangers 2, Cubs 2

Top: Kirby Yates came on to pitch, making his Rangers debut. He retired the side in order, striking out Cody Bellinger looking to end the inning.

Bottom: Corey Seager singled to lead off the inning, but was erased on a fielder’s choice. Texas ended up with two runners on with two outs after a Wyatt Langford intentional walk, but Jonah Heim grounded out to second to end the inning.

Seventh inning: Rangers 2, Cubs 2

Top: Josh Sborz entered the game, making his first appearance since clinching the 2023 World Series win. He got into some trouble after a ground-rule double by Nick Madrigal placed runners on second and third. But Sborz struck out Yan Gomes to end the inning.

Bottom: Evan Carter flew out to the 374-foot sign in right-center field to start the inning. Leody Taveras followed with another flyout before Marcus Semien struck out to end the frame.

Sixth inning: Rangers 2, Cubs 2

Top: The Cubs regained the advantage on the scoreboard after a pair of two-out doubles against Nathan Eovaldi. The Rangers starter would finish the inning as Josh Sborz got loose in the bullpen. Eovaldi is up to 88 pitches.

Bottom: The Rangers bats woke up in the sixth thanks to the first home run (and the first bat flip) of the 2024 season from — who else? — Adolis Garcia. Wyatt Langford also recorded his first MLB hit on an infield single.

Fifth inning: Rangers 1, Cubs 1

Top: Despite hitting Nico ho*rner with a pitch, Nathan Eovaldi rolled another double-play ball to escape another scoreless frame, which featured a nice pick at first base from Ezequiel Duran.

Bottom: Cubs starter Justin Steele exited the game with two outs in the fourth inning due to an apparent left leg injury. Julian Merryweather replaced him, and retired Corey Seager to end the inning with two runners on base.

Fourth inning: Rangers 1, Cubs 1

Top: Christopher Morel picked up his second hit off Nathan Eovaldi, this time a two-out single. But Eovaldi struck out the next batter to end the inning. He is at 49 pitches.

Bottom: Wyatt Langford picked up the first RBI of his MLB career on a sacrifice fly. Josh Jung scored on the play. He doubled earlier in the inning for the Rangers’ first hit of the night.

Third inning: Cubs 1, Rangers 0

Top: Nathan Eovaldi rebounded after giving up a run, retiring the side in order.

Bottom: The Texas bats again stayed quiet as the Rangers went the first three innings without a hit.

Second inning: Cubs 1, Rangers 0

Top: Christopher Morel tripled off the left field wall to open the second inning, despite the attempt at a miraculous catch from Evan Carter. He would later score on a sacrifice fly.

Bottom: The Rangers went down in order in the second. Justin Steele has struck out four of the seven hitters he has faced.

First inning: Rangers 0, Cubs 0

Top: Nathan Eovaldi, still in postseason form, sent Chicago down in order to start the game. He only needed nine pitches, and a nice running catch from Adolis Garcia in right field.

Bottom: The Texas bats weren’t much louder. Josh Jung drew a nine-pitch walk, but the Rangers did no further damage.

Pregame

A World Series banner now lives in the rafters at Globe Life Field. The Rangers revealed the championship banner for their 2023 title Thursday in front of their fans. The banner measures 20 feet in height and 30 feet in width.

Starting lineups

Pregame sights

Pregame reading

- The DMN’s best Texas Rangers stories leading up to opening day

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- Who is throwing out the first pitch at Rangers opening day?

- Rangers roster breakdown: A tier-by-tier ranking of each member of the 2024 squad

Find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.