As the Texas Rangers face the final stretch of the season, their position on the brink of an ignominious milestone looms large. To avoid becoming the first defending World Series champion to end with a losing record since the 2014 Boston Red Sox, the Rangers must clinch 10 of their remaining 12 games. Last year, they secured a postseason berth at Game 161, but this season has been marked by struggles, with the team averaging only 4.15 runs per game compared to 5.44 last season. The drop in offensive production is reflected in their OPS+, which has fallen from 116 to 92.
Inconsistencies at the designated hitter position have contributed significantly to their woes. Last season, the Rangers' designated hitters posted a combined .220/.315/.388 slash line with 26 home runs; this year, those numbers have plummeted to .200/.263/.309 with just 13 home runs. Injuries have played a pivotal role, with players like Josh Jung missing four months due to a broken wrist and Travis Jankowski, the team’s fourth most frequent DH starter, struggling to fill the gap left by more productive hitters.
On the pitching front, the Rangers have faced their own set of ordeals. Jacob deGrom made his highly anticipated season debut on September 13, but other key pitchers have had their campaigns marred by injuries. Max Scherzer, after missing the start of the season due to back surgery, returned on June 23 only to be sidelined again with a shoulder issue in July. Meanwhile, Tyler Mahle underwent Tommy John surgery last May and managed just three starts before another shoulder issue took him out of the rotation. Cody Bradford lost over three months to a back injury, and Nathan Eovaldi spent nearly a month on the injured list with a groin strain. Jon Gray's season has been interrupted by groin and foot injuries, leading to three IL stints.
Despite these setbacks, there are glimmers of hope. Evan Carter, who made his MLB debut in early September last year, has shown promise with 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 demonstrated his potential with 11 home runs through 150 team games this season. The team's future appears to have bright spots amidst the current struggles.
Reflecting on the season, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy emphasizes the unique challenges his team has faced. "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 stated.
Chris Young, the Rangers' GM whose contract was recently extended, remains optimistic about Tyler Mahle and his potential to contribute in the future. "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 expressed.
The off-season will bring critical decisions as the team navigates free agency and contract options. Nathan Eovaldi will need a new contract if he decides not to pick up his $20 million player option, and the Rangers will have to consider their approach toward pending free agents such as Andrew Heaney, José Leclerc, and Max Scherzer. Veterans Kirby Yates and David Robertson, at 37 and 39 years old respectively, also face uncertain futures.
In a season where the deck often seemed stacked against them, the Texas Rangers are battling not just for wins, but to uphold the legacy they've crafted. The road has been fraught with adversity, yet a semblance of hope persists as they enter their final games with determination to avoid a losing end to a championship legacy.