If I told you the Texas Rangers would be good and have 22 wins by May 10, you would have called me crazy. Then if I told you they would do it while Corey Seager and Jacob deGrom were injured, you would laugh at me.
Yet here we are. The Rangers have held a share of first place the entire season so far.
Starting Rotation
While it hasn’t always been pretty, the rotation minus deGrom has been really good. They are keeping the team in games.
Andrew Heaney is the only starter with an ERA over 4.00. Dane Dunning, or deGrom junior, has an ERA of 1.72.
The team also broke through in a few locations, winning series in both Houston and Seattle. The pitching had a lot to do with that.
It is easier to know that deGrom is not returning right away when you have a Dane Dunning filling in. He has been amazing.
The Offense
Now I know they cooled off a bit in Seattle, but the offense has been carrying their weight as well.
They put up 30 runs in their three games against the Halos. All without Corey Seager.
Johan Heim, Adolis Garcia, Josh Jung and Marcus Semien are all off to great starts. Heim is 4th in the American League batting average. Semien is in the top 10 for WAR position players, offensive WAR, defensive WAR, at bats and runs scored.
They are finding ways to win, even when they can only muster 4 runs or less. That is what good teams do.
The Futurre
deGrom and Seager will return, and that should only make this team better. I am beginning to believe that a run may be in order in 2023.
Things could fall apart at any point, as Rangers fans surely know. As of this moment, I feel good about the chances of making the Post Season.
Hopefully you feel the same way about the team right now. Let’s all enjoy the ride that is good Texas Rangers 2023 baseball!
