HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 23: Corey Seager #5 of the Texas Rangers celebrates after hitting a solo home run against Cristian Javier #53 of the Houston Astros during the first inning in Game Seven of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 23, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The Texas Rangers are in third place in the AL West and two games back from a wild-card spot.
After winning the World Series in 2023, Texas was unable to repeat its success in 2024, finishing with a record of 78-84 and missing the postseason.
In the offseason, Texas looked to improve its roster, signing designated hitter Joc Pederson and catcher Kyle Higashioka. Texas also re-signed starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi to a three-year $75 million contract.
The Rangers were also active in the trade market, acquiring first baseman Jake Burger from the Miami Marlins in exchange for three prospects. The Rangers also traded first baseman Nathaniel Lowe to the Washington Nationals for relief pitcher Robert Garcia.
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This season, the Rangers’ offense has struggled, led by Corey Seager, Josh Smith, and Wyatt Langford.
Texas is in the bottom three for batting average and on-base percentage, and in the bottom five for slugging percentage. Texas is also in the bottom 10 for RBIs, but one area where Texas excels is stolen bases, where the team ranks in the top five.
Despite the offensive struggles, the pitching has been outstanding, led by Eovaldi and Jacob deGrom.
The Rangers have the best ERA, batting average allowed, and walks and hits per inning pitched (WHIP) in baseball this season. The Rangers are also in the top three for home runs allowed, but are in the bottom half of the league for strikeouts.
Texas made moves at the trade deadline to make the pitching even stronger. Texas traded for starting pitcher Merrill Kelly from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Rangers also traded for relief pitchers Phil Maton from the St. Louis Cardinals and Danny Coulombe from the Minnesota Twins.
While the trades will certainly help Texas make a postseason push, the front office didn’t address the offense at the trade deadline.
Being only two games back from a wild-card spot, Texas may take one of the three wild-card spots, but the offense will need to be more consistent if the Rangers want to go on a run like the team did in 2023.
Despite being two games out from a wild-card spot, Texas has strong odds to make the postseason at +140. Its odds to win the American League are +1200, and Texas has +3500 odds to win the World Series.
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