As the Texas Rangers find themselves on the precipice of potentially disappointing history, the urgency within the organization is palpable. The team must win 10 of their final 12 games to avoid becoming the first defending World Series champion to close a season with a losing record since the 2014 Boston Red Sox's dismal 71-91 finish. Despite last year's late-season success, which saw the Rangers clinch a postseason berth at Game 161, the current campaign has revealed crumbling foundations.
Offensive Struggles
One glaring issue this season is the team's diminished offensive power. Last year, the Rangers scored a robust 5.44 runs per game. This year? A tepid 4.15. The drop in productivity is stark, and it is further reflected in the team’s OPS+, plummeting from 116 last year to a subpar 92.
Designated hitting has also been particularly uninspiring. Last season, the Rangers' designated hitters combined for a .220/.315/.388 slash line with 26 home runs. This year, their slash line is a meager .200/.263/.309, managing only 13 home runs. The absence of offensive catalysts is felt profoundly.
Injuries and Missed Opportunities
Injuries have undeniably played a significant role in the Rangers' struggles. Josh Jung missed four months due to a broken wrist, while other key players experienced setbacks. Travis Jankowski, who ranks fourth on the team in designated hitter starts, couldn't fill the void left by consistent producers.
Jacob deGrom's season debut only occurred on September 13, long after his impact could make a season-long difference. Max Scherzer's early back surgery kept him out for weeks, and after his return on June 23, he managed just eight starts before a shoulder issue sidelined him in late July. Tyler Mahle’s season was notably marred by injuries; after undergoing Tommy John surgery last May, he managed only three starts before a shoulder issue curtailed his year once again.
Cody Bradford missed over three months due to a back injury, and both Nathan Eovaldi and Jon Gray battled various ailments, impacting their ability to maintain consistency. Eovaldi spent nearly a month sidelined with a groin strain, while Gray dealt with groin and foot injuries, visiting the injured list three separate times.
Emerging Talent and Future Prospects
Despite a season rife with setbacks, the Rangers have seen promising performances from emerging talents. Evan Carter made his MLB debut on September 8 last year, and his impressive .306/.413/.645 slash line in 23 regular-season games, coupled with a .300/.417/.500 line in the postseason, offers a glimpse of hope.
Wyatt Langford, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft, has also shown potential with 11 home runs over 150 team games this season. There is an anticipation surrounding these young players, with the hopeful vision they could become future stars for a re-emerging Rangers team.
Management and Veteran Players
Chris Young, whose contract was recently extended, remains optimistic about the team’s injured stars and young prospects. Reflecting on Tyler Mahle's pre-injury trajectory, Young noted, "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."
Meanwhile, veterans like Nathan Eovaldi face contractual decisions, with Eovaldi needing a new deal unless he picks up his $20 million player option. The Rangers also have to consider the future of aging players such as Kirby Yates, now 37, and David Robertson, 39, alongside free agents Andrew Heaney, José Leclerc, and Max Scherzer.
The Road Ahead
The sentiment within the Rangers organization is one of determination and reflection. Manager Bruce Bochy articulated it best: "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."
In the closing weeks, the Rangers' path is fraught with challenges, but the focus remains unyielding. Whether they can overcome these hurdles to avoid making unfavorable history remains to be seen. For the fans and the organization alike, the echoes of last year's glory are both a painful reminder and a beacon of hope.