Broken pitchers equals broken pitching. Many teams have discovered this over the years. The Rangers have discovered this several times. 2019 has made it completely evident that it is true. Rangers pitching is second to last in ERA (5.40), they have given up the second most hits, the third most runs and the fifth most home runs. They have walked the second most in the AL while striking out the least. They are also third in wild pitches and last in WHIP.
When the team tries guys who are recovering from a major injury, it seldom works out well. I get that they were trying to save money, I really do. But I said before the season started that pitching was going to be a disaster. I hate that I was right. Other than Mike Minor (4-3, 2.61 ERA), the starting rotation has been terrible. If you take Minor out of the current rotation, the starters have an ERA of 6.71. To compare, if you add Minor back in the ERA drops to 5.89. Almost a full run.
The bullpen has not fared much better (5.63). There are also five pitchers on the IL. How are the Rangers going to improve their pitching situation? In short, they aren’t. You will see a plethora of young arms trying to earn their keep in the major leagues. By the trade deadline, Mike Minor, Lance Lynn, Jesse Chavez, Chris Martin and maybe Jose LeClerc will all be gone. Pitchers like Emerson Martinez, Pedro Payano, Wes Benjamin, Phillips Valdez and others from the minors.
While the Texas Rangers started the season much better than I predicted that they would, they are still on pace to lose more than they win. As pitching continues to degrade, so will the record. That is just the way it is. I was surprised to be wrong on their start, but unfortunately I will not be wrong on where they finish. Broken pitchers will equal last place again. At least they are opening a new stadium next season, right?
