Introduction to the Texas Rangers’ Season

The Texas Rangers are about to embark on their longest road trip of the season, and it may be just what they need to turn things around. The team has been performing better on the road than at home, with a .660 OPS compared to .622 at Globe Life Field. This could be due to the power numbers, as the Rangers have hit 76 of their 132 extra-base hits on the road despite having more at-bats at home.

The nine-game trip against the Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals, and Minnesota Twins may offer the Rangers a chance to flex their muscles. But before looking ahead, let’s take a look at the week that was.

Welcome Back, Marcus Semien

Marcus Semien is no longer the team’s leadoff hitter, but his weekend performance earns him a spot at the top of these five thoughts. Semien went 7 for 8 with three walks, six runs scored, three driven in, and three stolen bases in three games against the Cardinals. He’s the only player in baseball to reach those totals in a three-game span this season and the first player in Rangers history to do so.

This performance gave a much-needed boost to what has been a brutal season to date. Semien’s on-base plus slugging percentage climbed 77 points from .484 to .561, and his batting average is now above .200 for the first time since opening day. “I got on base a lot,” Semien said. “I got to run the bases and do what I like to do.”

The Rangers would like to see more of this from Semien, and his performance has been a welcome change for the team.

The Rotation is Still Good

The Rangers’ starting rotation combined to allow just five earned runs in the six games of their most recent homestand. The rotation’s 2.80 ERA is the lowest in baseball, the lowest in franchise history through 60 games, and one of the lowest in modern baseball history through the first two-plus months of a season.

According to research conducted on FanGraphs, only nine teams have posted a better rotation ERA through June 1 of any year since the 2002 season, and all but one reached the postseason. “It’s impressive what those guys have been able to do,” said right-hander Jacob deGrom. “Everybody is taking the mindset of ‘Put us in a position to win.’ Go out there, try to put up zeroes, and give the guys a chance. That’s all we can do.”

The Rangers have played a league-high 40 games in which their pitchers allowed three or fewer runs and collected 26 of their 29 wins this season in those instances. They are 3-16 in the 19 games they’ve played in which the pitching staff has allowed four or more runs. Only five teams leaguewide have a worse win percentage under those circumstances.

Have the Rangers Been on the Wrong End of Balls and Strikes Calls?

The short answer is no. The slightly longer answer is not more than average, at least. Rangers third baseman Josh Jung was called out by home plate umpire Quinn Wolcott on an Erick Fedde cutter that was well out of the strike zone in Sunday’s win. Some Texas fans took to Twitter/X and claimed that the Rangers have been on the wrong end of a wrong call at an awfully high rate.

However, the thing is, though, that they really haven’t. The Rangers entered play Sunday having had 132 pitches outside of the strike zone called as strikes against them — the ninth-fewest in baseball — through their first 59 games. The Rangers had just 12 balls called strikes against them prior to Sunday’s game, tied for the fifth-fewest in baseball.

Their 26 balls called strikes with runners at second and third base are tied for the second-fewest in baseball. This is not to suggest that the Rangers haven’t been on the unfortunate end of some home plate decisions this season, but it’s rather to put their luck into perspective.

(Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer)

New Glove, Who Dis?

Jacob deGrom had used a black Rawlings glove for every start before Sunday’s game against the Cardinals. Instead, he used a tan Rawlings glove. When asked about the switch, deGrom said, “You have however many starts in the big leagues and you don’t strike somebody out …” He didn’t finish the thought, but it was clear that he was looking for a change.

The two-time Cy Young award winner did not strike out a single batter for the first time in his career during his second-to-last start against the Toronto Blue Jays. He took matters into his own hands, striking out four batters in six innings on Sunday. Must’ve been the glove.

The First Impression Matters

Alejandro Osuna, the rookie outfielder, has made a good impression. He has reached base in each of his first seven games as a major leaguer and has walked five times. Osuna is one of five players in team history to work five or more walks in the first seven games of their career.

Osuna’s performance has helped raise the team’s on-base percentage from dead last to second-to-last leaguewide in his week with the club. The Rangers have got to start somewhere, and Osuna’s first impression has been a positive one.

Conclusion

The Texas Rangers are looking to turn their season around, and their upcoming road trip may be just what they need. With a strong rotation and players like Marcus Semien and Alejandro Osuna making a difference, the team is hoping to make a push for the playoffs. Only time will tell if they can keep up the momentum, but for now, things are looking up for the Rangers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How has the Texas Rangers’ performance been on the road this season?

A: The Rangers have been performing better on the road than at home, with a .660 OPS compared to .622 at Globe Life Field. They have hit 76 of their 132 extra-base hits on the road despite having more at-bats at home.

Q: What has been the key to the Rangers’ rotation success?

A: The Rangers’ starting rotation has combined to allow just five earned runs in the six games of their most recent homestand. The rotation’s 2.80 ERA is the lowest in baseball, and they have played a league-high 40 games in which their pitchers allowed three or fewer runs.

Q: Have the Rangers been on the wrong end of balls and strikes calls this season?

A: No