Rangers aim to stop the Astros’ winning streak at Globe Life Field.

Josh Smith and Ezequiel Duran are suddenly playing greater roles than expected for the Texas Rangers, who open a four-game series against the visiting Houston Astros on Friday. The matchup marks the first meeting between the teams since Texas won last season’s American League Championship Series 4-3. The road team won all seven games in the series. The Rangers have struggled against their divisional rival in recent years at Globe Life Field in Arlington. The Astros have won eight straight at the ballpark, including the postseason. Smith and Duran were role players for last season’s championship squad, but both will likely see an increase in playing time after All-Star third baseman Josh Jung suffered a fractured right wrist on Monday. Jung’s original estimated six-week timeline to return was amended to eight to 10 weeks after his surgery. “He did have a good surgery and they were able to repair the damage,” Rangers general manager Chris Young said. “We still expect he will have a full recovery. We are just going to be more cautious with the timeline. It wasn’t the best news, obviously, but he nonetheless will get back at some point this season.”