Texas Rangers Primed for Postseason Return?
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The Texas Rangers have spent a gargantuan amount of money the past two offseasons to end a six-year playoff drought.
Money doesn’t solve all problems.
Yet in this case, the Rangers finally look good enough to not only make the playoffs but also to win.
How far they can go is anyone’s best guess.
Yes, the regular season is only two games old, but the Rangers look different.
That’s different in a good way.
That's two victories over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Obviously, the starting pitching will depend heavily on $185 million ace Jacob deGrom. With Jon Gray, Nathan Eovaldi, Andrew Heaney and Sunday's starter Martin Perez, the Rangers have a stellar starting five. It could be argued the five starters combined could be among the top two or three staffs in the American League.
Corey Seager, who inked a 10-year, $325 million deal before last season, had a terrific spring after a subpar regular season in 2022. While he blasted a career-high in home runs with 33, his batting average was a career-worst at .245.
There’s no shift anymore so Seager’s numbers should improve across the board.
Seager produced a 15-game hitting streak in camp and the offensive production was pleasing to manager Bruce Bochy.
“It's been an impressive spring,” Bochy said. “It really has. I saw him from the other side (when I was with the Giants), you saw this with him. But it's nice to be in the same dugout with him, and he's just in a good place right now. He's got to feel good where he's at right now. He's one of our guys, and he’s where he wants to be.”
Scan the 26-man roster from top to bottom and the Rangers are improved at every position.
Are there weaknesses? Sure.
Compared to those non-playoff years, the ’23 version is loaded with talent. They finally have depth. They can absorb an injury or two anywhere.
They have a distinct homefield advantage and the fans can sense that a playoff run is coming.
Anything less would be a disappointment.
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