As the Texas Rangers approach the final stretch of the season, the stark contrast between their current performance and last year's World Series-winning campaign is hard to overlook. The team now faces an uphill battle, needing to win 10 of their final 12 games to avoid becoming the first defending World Series champion with a losing record since the 2014 Boston Red Sox, who ended their season at 71-91.
Struggles at the Plate
Last year's Rangers boasted an impressive offense, scoring an average of 5.44 runs per game. This season, however, that number has dwindled to 4.15, reflecting a significant drop in their offensive firepower. The team's OPS+ has also seen a sharp decline from 116 last year to a mere 92 this season.
The designated hitters particularly highlight these struggles. Last season, Rangers' designated hitters managed a .220/.315/.388 slash line with 26 home runs. This year, those numbers have dropped to a .200/.263/.309 slash line with just 13 home runs. Travis Jankowski, despite ranking fourth in the team for designated hitter starts, has not been able to compensate for this decrease in performance.
Injuries and Absences
Injuries have plagued the team, contributing significantly to their inconsistent performance. Josh Jung missed four crucial months with a broken wrist, while key players like Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer faced their own sets of challenges. Scherzer, already hampered by back surgery, made a promising return on June 23, only to be sidelined again in late July due to a shoulder issue.
Tyler Mahle, another critical arm for the Rangers, underwent Tommy John surgery last May, limiting him to just three starts this season before another shoulder issue benched him. Cody Bradford's season was also marred by a more-than-three-month absence due to a back injury, and Nathan Eovaldi found himself out for nearly a month because of a groin strain.
The impact of these injuries is summed up well by manager Bruce Bochy, who noted, "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."
Rising Talents and Future Prospects
Despite the setbacks, there have been bright spots, notably in the form of young talents like Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford. Carter, who made his MLB debut on September 8 last year, posted a remarkable .306/.413/.645 slash line in 23 regular-season games and a .300/.417/.500 line in the postseason. Wyatt Langford, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft, has already shown promising power with 11 home runs through 150 team games this season.
The Rangers' management remains optimistic about the future. General Manager Chris Young, whose contract was recently extended, expressed his confidence in Tyler Mahle's ability to bounce back: "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."
Upcoming Decisions and Veteran Status
As the season winds down, several critical decisions loom on the horizon. Nathan Eovaldi will need a new contract if he doesn’t pick up his $20 million player option, and veterans like Andrew Heaney, José Leclerc, and Max Scherzer will become free agents. Meanwhile, older players such as Kirby Yates (37) and David Robertson (39) add further complexity to the Rangers' roster decisions as they plan for the offseason.
Conclusion
In what has been a tumultuous season marked by injuries and underperformance, the Texas Rangers are striving to finish strong to avoid a disappointing end to their title defense. With emerging stars and hopeful returns from key players, the organization remains focused on rebuilding and looking ahead to future successes. As the final games unfold, the Rangers aim to salvage what’s left of this challenging season while laying the groundwork for a competitive comeback.