Texas Rangers: First four series illustrate their true caliber

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The Texas Rangers have begun the year with a horrid 4-10 record. Disappointments, slow starts, and injuries seem to have already doomed this team, and we’re only 13 games in. Is the poor begin merely a cover-up for good things to come or are the Rangers playing exactly as expected?

The Texas Rangers are off to a pathetic 4-10 start to the regular season. They’ve sputtered in every aspect of the game, leading to an immediate six and a half game deficit in the American League West.

This was a skeptical bunch all throughout spring training given their number of high potential bats, transitioned rotation and routinely streaky bullpen. At Texas’ best, they had the look of a possible wildcard team.

At their worst, a last-place finish in their division seemed feasible. Fans are already jumping ship, and the Rangers aren’t giving them much reason to stay aboard. Frankly, the poor start to the year is not surprising at all.

The Texas Rangers season has played out as follows:

Four games against the Houston Astros—lost 3
Four games at the Oakland Athletics—lost 2
Three games against the Toronto Blue Jays—lost 2
Three games against the Los Angeles Angels—lost 3

Look at the matchups one by one. Texas is far from matching the level of baseball being played by the defending World Series champs. They see eye to eye with the Athletics and the Blue Jays edge the Rangers in all-around talent. Lastly, the Angels are playing with their hair on fire, while the Rangers are playing like a team that knows they can’t compete with the big guns in the West. Point being, the outcomes of each series met expectations.

Despite the revealing start, the season is still in its infancy. The Texas Rangers have plenty of time to spin in a promising direction; however, the thought looms as to whether or not a 4-10 start has them accurately on track, or if they have the talent to ignite a competitive season.

Texas Rangers Starting Pitching Outlook

Texas has looked every bit as bad as their record indicates thus far. Their starting rotation ranks 10th in the AL with a 4.42 ERA, dead last in BAA (Batting Average Against) at .271, and 4th in walks allowed with 43. Will the rotation improve or fall further? Sadly, the starting staff seems on season pace. They should improve at least a little, though, don’t expect the Rangers rotation to be any better than the middle of the pack in the AL.

Offensive Outlook

The Texas Rangers offense ranks 8th in the AL in runs scored with 41. It ranks 7th with a .238 batting average and 10th with a .366 slugging percentage. Additionally, the Texas offense is hitting .212 with runners in scoring position and .195 with runs in scoring position with two outs.

The numbers are ugly; though, a close up look at the offense will prompt little worry. Reason being, strikeouts are down, and walks are up (two significant areas of struggle last season), their top hitters are off to good starts, and hits will inevitably start to fall in with runners on base.

The Rangers have not lacked offensive opportunity this season; they simply have not been able to come through in the clutch. This will change soon enough.

Bullpen Outlook

The Rangers bullpen ranks 9th in the AL with a 4.09 ERA and 12th in WHIP at 1.36. The stat that is most telling for the relief crew is their innings pitched. Through 13 games, Texas has thrown 57 relief innings, the second most in the AL.

The numbers are not particularly good, but there is an excuse. Believe it or not, the starting rotation is to blame for much of the bullpen struggles.

Rangers starting pitchers are averaging just over five innings per start. Thus, they are forcing the pen to be overworked early on.

Jesse Chavez, the team’s primary, middle reliever, has already tossed 10 innings, notching a 7.20 ERA. Left-hander Alex Claudio has thrown more than Texas would like as well. The good news is the late-inning arms are off to a good start.

Closer Keone Kela has a 0.00 ERA in 3.1 innings, as does Jose Leclerc in three innings pitched. Set-up man Matt Bush has a 1.35 ERA. If the Rangers can play games in the traditional sense and get six innings from their starters, the bullpen should then do its job. After all, the team looks to be in good hands with their late-inning relievers.

CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 26, 2017: Shortstop Elvis Andrus /

The Unforeseen

Luck has not been on the Texas Rangers’ side to start the year either. The team lost its leadoff hitter Delino DeShields in the opening series. DeShields is currently on the 15-day DL. Since then, they have also lost second baseman Rougned Odor and starting pitcher Dough Fister to the early season DL.

To make matters worse, star shortstop Elvis Andrus left last night’s game after being hit in the elbow by a 98 mph fastball. Early reports declare Andrus has suffered a broken elbow and will likely miss significant time.

More from Call to the Pen

The Rangers are far from a deep team; losing anyone will set them back significantly. DeShields being sidelined signifies more playing time for Drew Robinson and Ryan Rua. Experience is good for both, yet, their presence in the lineup has not exactly been comparable to DeShields.

With Andrus out, the Rangers will now have a makeshift middle infield—an area where a team simply cannot afford to be missing both starters.

All in all, the Texas Rangers are better than what they have shown in the first 13 games. How much better? Only time will tell. The offense should buckle down and lead the team to a number of wins.

Unfortunately, the starting rotation looks to be the team’s Achilles heel, and that won’t change. Plus, losing arguably their best player in Elvis Andrus will be tough to prevail over as well.

Next: Benches clear after Nolan Arenado is hit by pitch

Five months from now, when game 162 is in the books, the Rangers will have fallen short of a .500 record. They will come close, but there is too much for this team to overcome, even in April.

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