The Texas Rangers are staring down the barrel of a potentially historic downturn. The team needs to win 10 of their final 12 games to avoid becoming the first defending World Series champion to end the season with a losing record since the 2014 Boston Red Sox, who finished 71-91. The drop in form from last season, when the Rangers clinched a postseason berth in Game 161, is alarming.
Offensive Decline
The Rangers' offensive output has notably diminished. Last season, the team scored a robust 5.44 runs per game, a stark contrast to this season's 4.15 runs per game. Their on-base plus slugging (OPS+) has also taken a dive, dropping from 116 to 92. Designated hitters, a critical position, have seen their combined slash line deteriorate from .220/.315/.388 with 26 home runs last season to .200/.263/.309 with only 13 home runs this year.
Bruce Bochy, speaking candidly about the season, remarked, "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."
Injury Woes
Injuries have taken a toll on the team's performance. Josh Jung missed four months due to a broken wrist, while Travis Jankowski has been thrust into a prominent role, ranking fourth on the team in designated hitter starts. Opening Day arrived without Max Scherzer, who was recovering from back surgery. Upon his return on June 23, he managed eight starts before a shoulder issue re-emerged in late July. The once-dominant Jacob deGrom made his season debut only on September 13.
Tyler Mahle, another key pitcher, had Tommy John surgery last May and managed a mere three starts this year before facing another shoulder issue.
"I think before the surgery, Tyler was really coming into his own, and a couple years ago he had a tremendous season," said Chris Young. "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 with upside potential there."
Further adding to the list of the injured, Cody Bradford missed over three months with a back injury, Nathan Eovaldi was sidelined nearly a month due to a groin strain, and Jon Gray battled groin and foot injuries, visiting the injured list thrice.
Future Prospects
Despite the struggles, there have been moments of promise. Evan Carter, who made his MLB debut on September 8 last year, impressed 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 given fans something to cheer about with 11 home runs in 150 team games this season.
Looking ahead to contractual commitments, Nathan Eovaldi will need a new deal unless he picks up his $20 million player option. Key players like Andrew Heaney, José Leclerc, and Max Scherzer are nearing free agency.
The Rangers' future also hinges on youth development, with Jack Leiter, the No. 2 draft pick, expected to be a significant part of their rebuilding efforts.
Chris Young, whose contract was recently extended, will have his hands full navigating these decisions. Veteran pitchers like Kirby Yates, now 37, and David Robertson, 39, add further layers of complexity to the team's long-term plans.
In short, while the current season has been mired in challenges, there's cautious optimism for the future. As Bochy said, the goal remains to "finish strong." For the Rangers, the remaining games will be crucial not just for avoiding an unwanted place in the history books but for setting the stage for a resurgent 2024 campaign.