The Texas Rangers are staring down the barrel of an unenviable record. With just 12 games left in their season, they must win 10 to avoid becoming the first defending World Series champion to end the season with a losing record since the 2014 Boston Red Sox's dismal 71-91 finish. This marks a stark contrast to the previous year, where they clinched a postseason berth by Game 161.
Challenges in Offensive Production
Key to the Rangers' struggles this season has been their dip in offensive output. Last year, they averaged an imposing 5.44 runs per game. This season, that number has plummeted to 4.15 runs per game. Their team OPS+ (On-base Plus Slugging adjusted for park factors) has also fallen dramatically, from 116 to 92. Designated hitters who contributed a .220/.315/.388 slash line with 26 home runs last season have seen those numbers slide to a .200/.263/.309 slash line with just 13 home runs this year.
Injuries and roster changes have certainly played a significant role in these offensive woes. Notable among those sidelined was Josh Jung, who missed four months with a broken wrist. Travis Jankowski has had to step up, ranking fourth on the team in designated hitter starts—an indicator of the rotation's instability.
Pitching Struggles Add to the Woes
The team’s pitching staff hasn’t been immune to setbacks either. Ace Jacob deGrom made a late season debut on September 13, and Max Scherzer, who missed the first few weeks of the season due to back surgery, returned on June 23 only to be sidelined again later due to a shoulder issue. Tyler Mahle, another significant piece of the pitching puzzle, underwent Tommy John surgery last May but managed only three starts this year before another shoulder issue emerged.
Adding to the rotation turmoil, Cody Bradford sat out for over three months with a back injury, Nathan Eovaldi was out nearly a month nursing a groin strain, and Jon Gray made three trips to the injured list due to groin and foot injuries.
"It's been talked about so much, how difficult it is to repeat," Rangers manager Bruce Bochy remarked. "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."
Silver Linings and Future Prospects
Despite the setbacks, there are glimpses of hope. Evan Carter, who made his MLB debut on September 8 last year, posted a promising .306/.413/.645 slash line over 23 regular-season games and continued his strong performance in the postseason with a .300/.417/.500 slash line. His consistent form suggests he could be a cornerstone for the team's rejuvenation.
The fourth pick in the 2023 draft, Wyatt Langford, has also shown potential with 11 home runs through 150 team games this season, marking him as another prospect to watch.
Recently extended GM Chris Young remains optimistic despite the current season's struggles. "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.
Looking toward the future, the Rangers have some critical decisions to make regarding their roster. Nathan Eovaldi will need a new contract, assuming he doesn’t pick up his $20 million player option. Moreover, key figures like Andrew Heaney, José Leclerc, and Max Scherzer are set to become free agents, while veterans Kirby Yates and David Robertson edge closer to the end of their careers at 37 and 39 years old, respectively.
In the realm of player development, Jack Leiter, a No. 2 draft pick, continues to be a point of intrigue, potentially offering another asset to the Rangers' pitching depth moving forward.
As the Texas Rangers navigate the remainder of their season with an eye toward avoiding an infamous record, the blend of promising young talent and the return of key players from injuries offers a route to potential rejuvenation. Whether this will be enough to compete at the highest level remains a story to be told in the coming seasons.