Champs Struggle to Avoid Historic Letdown
The Texas Rangers are in a precarious position as they approach the final stretch of the season. The defending World Series champions must win 10 of their remaining 12 games to avoid an ignominious record-breaking feat. Not since the 2014 Boston Red Sox has a defending champion finished the season with a losing record, and the Rangers are on the brink of echoing that unfortunate history.
Last year was a different story for the Texas Rangers. Clinching a postseason berth at Game 161, the team showed resilience and firepower, averaging 5.44 runs per game. This season, they've managed only 4.15 runs per game, reflecting a stark offensive decline. The team's OPS+ has dropped dramatically from 116 to 92, illuminating the challenges they have faced.
Offensive Woes
The drop-off is evident in the performance of the Rangers' designated hitters. Last season, they posted a .220/.315/.388 slash line with 26 home runs. This year, those numbers have plummeted to .200/.263/.309 with merely 13 home runs. The absence of Josh Jung, who missed four months with a broken wrist, has been particularly detrimental.
Travis Jankowski has been thrust into the role of designated hitter more than expected, ranking fourth on the team in starts at DH. The team's offensive struggles have been exacerbated by injuries to other key personnel, including Evan Carter, who made his MLB debut late last season and performed admirably. Carter's .306/.413/.645 slash line in 23 regular-season games provided a glimpse of his potential, but the inconsistent lineup has been a source of ongoing frustration.
Mounting Injuries
The Rangers have faced significant challenges with player injuries this season. Jacob deGrom's season debut came as late as September 13. Max Scherzer, who had back surgery before the season, missed the first few weeks and returned only to be sidelined again in late July due to a shoulder issue. The rotation was further impacted by Tyler Mahle undergoing Tommy John surgery in May and only managing three starts before another shoulder issue emerged. Cody Bradford missed over three months with a back injury, and Nathan Eovaldi was out nearly a month with a groin strain.
Jon Gray’s year has been marred by groin and foot injuries, visiting the injured list three times. These rotations have often left the team scrambling to fill gaps and maintain competitive consistency. Bruce Bochy, the seasoned manager of the Rangers, reflected on the obstacles faced this season. "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," Bochy commented.
Youth and Potential
The infusion of young talent, like Wyatt Langford, has been a bright spot. Drafted as the No. 4 pick, Langford has shown promise with 11 home runs through 150 games. The hope for sustained success hinges on the development and integration of such youthful players.
Chris Young, whose contract was recently extended, expressed optimism about watching the continued progression of Tyler Mahle after his season was cut short. "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 remarked.
Contract and Free-Agency Implications
The Rangers’ future also faces complexities off the field with several key players approaching free agency. Nathan Eovaldi has a lingering decision to make with his $20 million player option. Veterans like Kirby Yates and David Robertson, aged 37 and 39 respectively, add an element of urgency for the team to chart a clear path forward as they plan for next season. In addition, Andrew Heaney, José Leclerc, and Max Scherzer are all set to hit the free-agent market.
Reflecting on the journey that lies ahead, the Rangers aim to salvage their season and avoid a dubious record. Whether they can channel last season's resilience remains to be seen, but what is clear is that the Rangers will need every bit of fortitude and a touch of luck to navigate the remaining games.