The Texas Rangers find themselves in a precarious position as they enter the final stretch of the season. With just 12 games remaining, the team needs to win 10 to avoid becoming the first defending World Series champion to finish with a losing record since the 2014 Boston Red Sox's dismal 71-91 finish. The Rangers, who clinched a postseason berth at Game 161 last year, are struggling this season with a meager 4.15 runs per game, a stark drop from the 5.44 runs per game they scored last year.
Offensive Struggles
The offensive downturn is evident in the team's overall performance metrics. The Rangers' OPS+ has plummeted from 116 last season to 92 this year. The designated hitter spot, which contributed a .220/.315/.388 slash line with 26 home runs last season, has taken a significant hit, falling to a .200/.263/.309 line with only 13 home runs. Travis Jankowski, who ranks fourth on the team in designated hitter starts, hasn't been able to fill the void left by more productive hitters.
Josh Jung's absence due to a broken wrist, which sidelined him for four months, exacerbated the offensive woes. The Rangers' new designated hitters have not managed to replicate the production of their predecessors. Even the return of Jacob deGrom, who made his season debut on September 13, hasn't been enough to spark a turnaround.
Injury Woes
Injuries have undoubtedly played a significant role in the Rangers' struggles. Max Scherzer missed the first few weeks of the regular season due to back surgery and returned on June 23, only to make eight starts before a shoulder issue sidelined him again in late July. Tyler Mahle, who underwent Tommy John surgery last May, managed only three starts this year before another shoulder issue took him out of play. Cody Bradford missed over three months with a back injury, further depleting the pitching staff.
Scherzer and Mahle are not the only ones plagued by health issues. Nathan Eovaldi spent nearly a month on the injured list with a groin strain, while Jon Gray dealt with both groin and foot injuries, leading to three separate stints on the injured list. These injuries have severely hampered the team's ability to compete at the level they did last year.
Youth Movement and Future Prospects
Despite the setbacks, the team has seen some positive developments. Evan Carter made a noticeable impact after his MLB debut on September 8 last year, boasting a .306/.413/.645 slash line in 23 regular-season games and a .300/.417/.500 line in the postseason. Wyatt Langford, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft, has also shown promise with 11 home runs through 150 team games this season.
General Manager Chris Young, whose contract was recently extended, remains optimistic. Speaking about Tyler Mahle, he said, "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."
As the season winds down, some big decisions loom. Nathan Eovaldi will need a new contract unless he picks up his $20 million player option. Veteran pitchers Kirby Yates, 37, and David Robertson, 39, both add to the list of aging players whose futures need addressing. Meanwhile, key players like Andrew Heaney, José Leclerc, and Max Scherzer are set to become free agents, creating additional uncertainty for the team's future.
The leadership of Bruce Bochy will be crucial in guiding this team through the final games. Reflecting on the season, Bochy said, "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."
As the Rangers fight to avoid a historic disappointment, their ability to overcome injuries and recapture last season's offensive firepower will be tested. With young talent emerging and critical decisions on the horizon, the franchise faces a pivotal moment in shaping its future trajectory.