With just 12 games remaining in the regular season, the Texas Rangers find themselves on the brink of an unprecedented outcome. The team must secure 10 victories in their final stretch to avoid becoming the first defending World Series champion to finish with a losing record since the 2014 Boston Red Sox, who ended their season at 71-91.
Last season, the Rangers clinched a postseason berth at Game 161 and boasted an impressive offense, averaging 5.44 runs per game. This year, however, the team's offensive output has diminished significantly, managing just 4.15 runs per game. The team's OPS+ has also taken a hit, plummeting from 116 last season to a disappointing 92 this year.
"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," said Bruce Bochy, encapsulating the frustration and resolve within the team.
Offensive Struggles
The drop in offensive performance can be attributed to various factors, including the struggle of the designated hitters. Last season, Rangers' designated hitters combined for a .220/.315/.388 slash line with 26 home runs. This season, the numbers have dipped dramatically to a .200/.263/.309 slash line with just 13 home runs.
Player injuries have undoubtedly played a significant role in the team's struggles. Josh Jung's absence for four months due to a broken wrist, combined with Cody Bradford missing over three months with a back injury, has undoubtedly hurt the team’s depth and consistency.
Pitching Woes
The pitching staff has also experienced a turbulent season. Jacob deGrom only made his debut on September 13, and Max Scherzer, who missed the first few weeks of the regular season due to back surgery, returned on June 23 only to be sidelined again after eight starts with a shoulder issue in late July. Tyler Mahle's season was equally challenging; after undergoing Tommy John surgery last May, he managed just three starts before another shoulder issue curtailed his season.
"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," said Rangers' General Manager Chris Young, expressing hope for the future despite the current obstacles.
New Efforts and Future Prospects
The team’s reliance on young talent and recent draft picks highlights their strategy amidst a challenging year. Evan Carter, who made his MLB debut on September 8 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 made an impact, hitting 11 home runs through 150 team games this season.
Veteran players have also faced their share of challenges, with both Kirby Yates and David Robertson nearing the end of their careers at 37 and 39 years old, respectively. Several key players, including Andrew Heaney, José Leclerc, and Max Scherzer, will enter free agency, making the offseason potentially pivotal for the Rangers.
Amidst these difficulties, the Rangers made a notable decision to extend Chris Young's contract, signaling confidence in his leadership moving forward. Nathan Eovaldi, who will need a new contract unless he opts for his $20 million player option, dealt with a groin strain that sidelined him for nearly a month, further stressing the team’s pitching rotation.
Jon Gray's season was punctuated by persistent injuries, including groin and foot issues that led to three separate stints on the injured list. The constant rotation of injured players in and out of the lineup has made it nearly impossible for the team to find its footing.
As the Rangers face their final games, the challenges they’ve faced this season highlight the razor-thin margin between success and struggle in Major League Baseball. Whether they can rally to end the season on a high note remains to be seen, but the mix of seasoned veterans and promising young talent provides a foundation on which they can build for future success.