After successful their first World Sequence championship in franchise historical past final fall, the Texas Rangers have been disappointing in 2024, falling method wanting expectations up to now.
Offensively, the Rangers had been a juggernaut in 2023. They led the league in runs, batting common and residential runs, in addition to the opposite slash line stats. Their pitching was ok to maintain them in video games and permit their hitters to hold them.
Issues haven’t gone close to as properly on the plate in 2024, and nearly everyone seems to be responsible. Marcus Semien is hitting 32 factors decrease within the first half than he did for the 12 months final season. He is on tempo for 28 extra-base hits, far beneath the 73 he had solely a 12 months in the past. His total slash line pales compared to what it was after final 12 months.
Corey Seager is simply as dangerous, if not worse. He is hitting 72 factors decrease and has simply 21 extra-base hits in comparison with 75 final 12 months. He is missed a while with some accidents, however has nonetheless performed in 69 of the groups 80 video games up to now.
It’s a lot the identical with Adolis Garcia. He is hitting 27 factors beneath what he did final 12 months. He has 25 extra-base hits, down from 68 final 12 months. Mixed, these three gamers banged out 101 house runs in 2024. This season, they’re on tempo for 78.
They are not the one ones. Ezequiel Duran, who performed a key utility position a 12 months in the past, was optioned to the minors on Wednesday. Nathaniel Lowe is on tempo for six house runs after hitting 17 a 12 months in the past. Evan Carter, who performed such a key position in September and the playoffs, was terrible earlier than hit the IL with again points.
But, not all hope is misplaced. They’re in a bunch of eight groups within the combine to battle it out for the final two wild-card spots, assuming the Yankees or Orioles will get one wild card. That leaves the Purple Sox, Royals, Twins, Astros, Rangers, Rays, Blue Jays and Tigers to be within the hunt. The primary three groups are just about tied proper now, with the remainder of the group lurking however having some work to do.
The excellent news is Max Scherzer returned and pitched very properly in his season debut, blanking the Royals over 5 innings. The Massive Three – Semien, Seager and Garcia – have loads of time to get again on monitor. Search for one, two or all three get sizzling within the second half.
If these three can flip it round, Scherzer can keep wholesome and productive and Jacob DeGrom can return to the rotation quickly and be efficient, there isn’t any cause the Rangers cannot climb again into the wild-card race. All the groups they’re competing in opposition to have their fair proportion of weaknesses, so a crimson sizzling Rangers workforce will put stress on all them.
The primary half of 2024 has not gone in accordance with plan, however there’s a number of room for enchancment, particularly from their star gamers. With a full half season left to go, do not be shocked if the Rangers can play themselves proper again into the playoffs, the place nobody will wish to face them if they’re sizzling.
