Texas Rangers Face Uphill Battle to Avoid Historic Downfall
As the regular season draws to a close, the Texas Rangers are teetering on the precipice of setting an undesirable record. The defending World Series champions must clinch 10 of their final 12 games to avoid becoming the first titleholders since the 2014 Boston Red Sox to end the season with a losing record. The Red Sox finished their post-championship season with a 71-91 mark, a fate the Rangers are desperate to avoid.
Last year's team painted a much brighter picture, clinching a postseason berth as late as Game 161, and boasting a formidable offense scoring 5.44 runs per game. In contrast, the current season has seen a notable decline, with the team managing just 4.15 runs per game. This drop in performance is mirrored by a decrease in OPS+ from 116 last season to a disappointing 92 this year.
"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," said manager Bruce Bochy. "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."
Offensive Woes and Injuries Plague the Roster
The team's designated hitters have embodied this offensive slump. Last season, they combined for a .220/.315/.388 slash line with 26 home runs. This season, those numbers have dipped to a .200/.263/.309 slash line with just 13 home runs. Key injuries have exacerbated these struggles, with Josh Jung missing four months due to a broken wrist, and Travis Jankowski, who ranks fourth on the team in designated hitter starts, unable to fill the void left by struggling veterans.
The pitching staff hasn't fared much better, riddled with injuries that have derailed the season for several key players. Jacob deGrom's late season debut on September 13 provided a glimmer of hope, but Max Scherzer's sporadic availability due to back surgery and subsequent shoulder issues has destabilized the rotation. Scherzer returned on June 23, only to be sidelined again in late July after making eight starts. Tyler Mahle, who underwent Tommy John surgery last May, managed only three starts before being shelved again due to a shoulder issue.
Chris Young, whose contract was recently extended, reflected on Mahle's potential impact had he remained healthy, stating, "I think before the surgery, Tyler was really coming into his own, and a couple of 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."
Nathan Eovaldi and Jon Gray have also struggled with injuries, disrupting any consistency within the starting rotation. Eovaldi missed nearly a month with a groin strain, while Gray dealt with both groin and foot injuries, landing on the injured list three separate times. Cody Bradford, who also missed over three months with a back injury, adds yet another name to the list of sidelined players whose unavailability has hindered the team's performance.
Promising Rookies and Veterans on the Move
Despite these setbacks, the Rangers have seen bright spots emerge, particularly in their young talents. Evan Carter, who made his MLB debut on September 8 last year, impressed with a .306/.413/.645 slash line in 23 regular-season games, and continued his strong performance in the postseason with a .300/.417/.500 line. Additionally, Wyatt Langford, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft, has shown promise with 11 home runs through 150 team games this season.
The organization faces significant decisions moving forward, especially regarding contract renewals and free agency. Nathan Eovaldi's future hangs in the balance with his $20 million player option, while Andrew Heaney, José Leclerc, and Max Scherzer are set to become free agents. Veterans Kirby Yates and David Robertson, aged 37 and 39 respectively, also raise questions about the team's strategic direction.
The stakes are high as the Rangers push through their final games. Whether they can rally to avoid a losing record remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the team will need to overcome both adversity and history to conclude their season on a positive note.