Rangers' Struggles Highlight Tough Road for Defending Champions
The Texas Rangers' quest to avoid an ignominious place in baseball history is hanging by a thread. The team needs to secure victories in 10 of their remaining 12 games to dodge a fate that hasn't befallen a defending World Series champion since the 2014 Boston Red Sox finished with a 71-91 record. The Rangers' fall from grace has been marked by a slew of injuries and a notable dip in offensive efficiency.
Last season, the Rangers were a powerhouse, scoring an impressive 5.44 runs per game and clinching their postseason berth at Game 161. Fast forward to this season, and they've managed only 4.15 runs per game, a stark decline that has reflected in their OPS+ dropping from 116 to 92. The designated hitter position has encapsulated some of this offensive struggle, seeing a downturn from a .220/.315/.388 slash line with 26 home runs to a disappointing .200/.263/.309 line with just 13 home runs.
Injuries have played a significant role in this decline. Rookie sensation Josh Jung missed four months with a broken wrist, while Cody Bradford was sidelined for over three months with a back injury. The pitching staff has been equally beleaguered. Max Scherzer missed the first few weeks of the season due to back surgery and, after returning in late June, was sidelined again by a shoulder issue after just eight starts. Tyler Mahle, after undergoing Tommy John surgery last May, managed only three starts this year before a shoulder issue shelved him once more. Additionally, Nathan Eovaldi dealt with a groin strain that kept him out for nearly a month, and Jon Gray visited the injured list three separate times due to groin and foot issues.
“It's been talked about so much, how difficult it is to repeat,” said Rangers manager Bruce Bochy. “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.”
Compounding these struggles, players like Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford have shown potential but have been unable to completely offset the team’s woes. Carter had a solid debut with a .306/.413/.645 slash line in 23 regular-season games and continued to perform in the postseason, hitting .300/.417/.500. Meanwhile, Langford, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft, has contributed 11 home runs in the 150 games he has played this season.
Front office maneuvers added some stability as Chris Young's contract extension was recently confirmed. Young has expressed optimism about the team’s long-term prospects, particularly with regards to Mahle. “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 noted.
As for veteran presence, the team will face decisions with several of their players. Andrew Heaney, José Leclerc, and Max Scherzer will all hit free agency, and there's uncertainty about whether Nathan Eovaldi will pick up his $20 million player option. Aging pitchers like Kirby Yates, at 37, and David Robertson, at 39, will also be factors for the Rangers as they plan for the future.
The Rangers’ storyline this season has been one of struggle and resilience, illuminated by the highs and lows of individual performances and collective adversity. The final stretch of the season will be crucial not just to avoid the unwanted record but to set a tone for the future. If anything, this tumultuous season underscores just how unpredictable baseball can be, with each year proving to be a new chapter fraught with its own unique challenges.