Home Baseball The Texas Rangers’ Enigma to Maintaining Their World Series Lead

The Texas Rangers’ Enigma to Maintaining Their World Series Lead

Baseball — 02/02/2024

The Texas Rangers are preparing to defend their title, but several factors, with health being the most important, will play into their success.

As spring training approaches, the Rangers have key players who are currently recovering from injuries. Corey Seager, the World Series MVP, underwent hernia surgery and hopes to be ready for Opening Day. Pitchers Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, and Tyler Mahle are expected to be out until the second half of the season.

The biggest concern regarding health lies in the starting pitching rotation. The initial rotation for the season is projected to include Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray, Dane Dunning, Andrew Heaney, and Cody Bradford. Bringing back Jordan Montgomery would greatly benefit the team.

MLB.com recently highlighted one important statistic to watch for each team in 2024, and for the Rangers, it revolves around pitching. The key to their success this season may rely on the combined number of starts from Eovaldi and Gray.

“The defending World Series champions may still re-sign free agent Jordan Montgomery, but if they don’t, it will be crucial for Eovaldi and Gray to stay healthy and lead the team’s rotation. The Rangers are expected to have one of the strongest offenses in baseball, especially if rookies Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford live up to expectations. However, the starting staff could potentially hold the team back from competing for another title. With the absence of Montgomery, as well as Max Scherzer (recovering from back surgery) and Jacob deGrom (recovering from Tommy John surgery), until at least midseason,

Eovaldi had a strong first half of the season, making 25 starts, but battled injuries towards the end. Despite this, he still managed to make the fourth-highest number of starts in his 13-year career. Gray, on the other hand, made 29 starts, which was tied for his second-highest in the nine years he has been in the league.

If Eovaldi and Gray can maintain this level of durability and production throughout the season, the Rangers should be in a good position until their full pitching lineup returns.