2020 was a forgettable year for the Texas Rangers, but 2021 has been fun to watch. The team is playing some good baseball. Pitching is better than expected. Hitting has been timely and productive. And there are a few players that have been a spark for the club.
Fun equals winning: for now
Adolis Garcia, Nick Solak and others look like they are having fun so far in 2021. Garcia has been a catalyst for the Rangers so far. Solak is hitting .274 with seven home runs. Willie Calhoun is hitting .328. The Ranger record in now 16-17, which is pretty good all things considered. Can this team sustain the pace they are on? Probably not, but they are at least more competitive than we all thought.
Pitching is the key
The Rangers always seem to have good hitting but no pitching. Not in 2021. Kyle Gibson and Dane Dunning have sub-4 ERA’s. Gibson’s is .240, which is amazing considering his first start. He is 4th in the AL in WAR (Wins Above Replacement). The bull pen has been good as well. the Rangers have the American League saves leader in Ian Kennedy with 9. The pen ERA is pretty low. It has been a good month and some for the pitching staff.
Comebacks
The Rangers have come from behind to win several times this season. They are showing that they do not have any quit in them. This team is dangerous now matter the score late in the game. Timely hitting is one of the keys. Fun baseball follows a team that can score at any point. Joey Gallo is starting to heat up as well. This could be a fun summer.
The Rangers are probably a .500 team at best in 2021, but there is a big difference between a bad .500 club and a good one. So far, this team has looked like a good one. Let’s all hope that can continue into June and beyond.
