The Texas Rangers Face an Uphill Battle to End the Season Strong
As the Texas Rangers inch closer to the end of the season, the pressure is mounting. To avoid the dubious distinction of being the first defending World Series champion to finish with a losing record since the 2014 Boston Red Sox, the Rangers need to win 10 of their final 12 games. It’s a daunting task, especially given their struggles this season.
Last year, the Rangers clinched a postseason berth at Game 161, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure. However, this season paints a different picture. The team’s offensive output has dropped from an average of 5.44 runs per game last season to just 4.15 runs per game. Similarly, the team’s OPS+ has tumbled from 116 to 92, highlighting the offensive woes plaguing the lineup.
Designated hitters, a key component of any successful offense, have particularly struggled. Last season, the Rangers’ designated hitters posted a .220/.315/.388 slash line with 26 home runs. This year, those numbers have plummeted to a .200/.263/.309 slash line with only 13 home runs, a significant decline that has hurt the team’s run production.
The team has also been plagued by injuries to critical players. Josh Jung missed four months with a broken wrist, and Travis Jankowski, who ranks fourth on the team in designated hitter starts, has been filling gaps but without the expected offensive firepower. The pitcher mound has seen its share of challenges too. Jacob deGrom made his season debut only on September 13, while Max Scherzer missed the first few weeks of the regular season due to back surgery. After returning on June 23 and making eight starts, Scherzer was sidelined again in late July due to a shoulder issue.
Injuries have not spared other pitchers either. Tyler Mahle underwent Tommy John surgery last May and managed only three starts before another shoulder issue sidelined him. Cody Bradford missed over three months with a back injury, Nathan Eovaldi was out nearly a month with a groin strain, and Jon Gray dealt with groin and foot injuries, visiting the injured list three separate times.
Evan Carter’s performance has been one bright spot in an otherwise challenging season. After making his MLB debut on September 8 last year, Carter had an impressive .306/.413/.645 slash line in 23 regular-season games and followed it up with a .300/.417/.500 line in the postseason. Additionally, Wyatt Langford, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft, has contributed with 11 home runs through 150 team games this season.
The Rangers' front office has remained active, recently extending Chris Young’s contract. However, the team faces potential changes with several players approaching free agency, including Andrew Heaney, José Leclerc, and Max Scherzer. Nathan Eovaldi will also need a new contract, assuming he doesn’t pick up his $20 million player option.
Reflecting on the season, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy expressed the complexities of repeating as champions. “It’s been talked about so much, how difficult it is to repeat. There’s been a number of reasons why we’re not where we want to be. Every season is different, it takes a life of its own, whether guys aren’t having their normal years or injuries. Our goal is to finish strong here,” Bochy stated.
Chris Young echoed a sense of optimism about some of the individual players who have faced setbacks. “I think before the surgery, Tyler was really coming into his own, and a couple years ago he had a tremendous season. We’re excited about where he is in his career with his age, the recovery he’s going to make, and the ability to hopefully help our team in the second half of this season and certainly in 2025 as a mid-rotation starter and with upside potential there,” Young said, noting the long-term vision for players like Mahle despite their injuries.
With several key players set to become free agents and others recovering from injuries, the team’s management will have a busy offseason. Meanwhile, the immediate focus remains on the present challenge: winning as many of the remaining 12 games as possible to finish the season on a high note and avoid setting an unfortunate record.