As the Texas Rangers head into the final stretch of their season, the team faces an uphill battle. With only 12 games remaining, they need to secure victories in 10 of them to avoid the ignominious distinction of being the first defending World Series champions to finish with a losing record since the 2014 Boston Red Sox's 71-91 season. Such a scenario has cast a shadow over what was once high hopes for a repeat championship run.
"It's been talked about so much, how difficult it is to repeat," said manager Bruce Bochy. "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."
Offensive Decline
The struggles for the Rangers this season began at the plate. After scoring an impressive 5.44 runs per game last year, this season they've managed only 4.15 runs per game. The team's OPS+ dropped precipitously from 116 to 92. Designated hitters, who produced a .220/.315/.388 slash line with 26 home runs last season, have slumped to .200/.263/.309 with just 13 homers this year. Injuries have also played a significant role in the downturn, with players like Josh Jung missing four months due to a broken wrist.
Travis Jankowski, ranking fourth on the team in designated hitter starts, symbolizes the challenge of finding consistent production from that role. It's a significant drop-off from the previous season, when the designated hitter position was a more productive part of the lineup.
Pitching Woes
The pitching staff has not been immune to difficulties either. A series of injuries has ravaged the rotation and bullpen. Jacob deGrom finally made his season debut on September 13, but 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 in late July with a shoulder issue. Tyler Mahle underwent Tommy John surgery last May and managed only three starts this year before another shoulder problem sidelined him. Cody Bradford, Nathan Eovaldi, and Jon Gray all spent significant time on the injured list.
Glimmers of Hope
Despite the team's struggles, there have been moments of promise. Evan Carter made his MLB debut on September 8 last year and posted an impressive .306/.413/.645 slash line in 23 regular-season games, maintaining a strong .300/.417/.500 line in the postseason. Wyatt Langford, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft, has also shown potential with 11 home runs through 150 team games.
Chris Young, whose contract was recently extended, remains optimistic about the future. "I think before the surgery, Tyler [Mahle] 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."
Upcoming Challenges
Looking ahead, several players are facing uncertain futures. Nathan Eovaldi will need a new contract unless he picks up his $20 million player option. Veterans like Kirby Yates and David Robertson, aged 37 and 39 respectively, add to the complexities of managing an aging roster. The team will also have to make decisions regarding free agents Andrew Heaney, José Leclerc, and Max Scherzer. Additionally, young talents like Jack Leiter, the No. 2 pick in the draft, represent the potential for future growth and success.
The Texas Rangers find themselves at a critical juncture. To salvage their season and set a positive tone for the future, they must capitalize on every opportunity in their remaining games. The adversity they’ve faced this year underscores the challenges of repeating as champions and the relentless unpredictability of Major League Baseball.