The performance of the Texas Rangers’ pitchers has pleasantly surprised fans, with the starting pitchers showcasing remarkable results in the early part of this season. Whether measured by fWAR or ERA, they rank among the best in the American League, clearly demonstrating the team’s pitching prowess. However, in stark contrast, the lineup has struggled, placing extra pressure on the starters due to their lackluster performance.
During this season’s opening, the Texas Rangers’ starting pitchers have proven to be the strongest in the American League, boasting an ERA of just 2.99 from March to April, with an fWAR hitting 3.6, putting them at the top of the league. Even with a slight improvement from the bullpen, the team’s total fWAR reached 4.7, creating pressure for their rivals. According to the data, the starters’ ERA at the beginning of the season marks the lowest in the team’s history, showcasing the outstanding performance of these pitchers.
Further analysis of the starting lineup reveals that the Rangers’ BB/9 (walk rate) stands at 2.20, while their HR/9 (home run rate) is a mere 0.79, the lowest in the American League. This indicates that the players are demonstrating exceptional control, effectively minimizing scoring opportunities for opponents. Aside from Rocker’s inconsistent performances during games, the addition of Corbin has successfully addressed the innings issue for the backend pitchers, allowing young talents Leiter and Rocker to adjust during their rotation on the injured list.
In this season opener, Tyler Mahle has showcased remarkable performance, having thrown 31.2 innings without giving up a single home run, and boasting an ERA of just 1.14, which highlights his impressive strength on the field. Although his BABIP and LOB% indicate a bit of luck involved, seeing this pitcher, who has just undergone Tommy John surgery, perform at such a high level early in the season is undoubtedly exhilarating for the fans.
However, the batting lineup of the Texas Rangers has been relatively lackluster. Despite several players like Langford, Smith, and Seager boasting a wRC+ above the league average, multiple key players have been sidelined due to injuries throughout the season, hampering the team’s offensive output. With a team wRC+ of just 88, their performance has been subpar, placing them near the bottom of the league.
There’s definitely cause for concern regarding the performance of key hitters Marcus Semien, Joc Pederson, and Jake Burger. Their wRC+ scores have dipped alarmingly low at 46, 12, and 54, respectively. Semien’s struggles at the plate have led the coaching staff to shuffle his spot in the lineup. Though there’s been a slight improvement, his strikeout rate has escalated significantly, casting doubt on his future performance. Similarly, both Burger and Pederson are facing tough times; despite some decent exit velocities, their launch angles and sweet spot percentages are dismal, resulting in a plethora of ineffective groundouts. In search of a spark, the team ultimately called up Blaine Crim, who has been tearing it up in the minors, while sending Burger down to work on regaining his hitting touch.
