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Texas Rangers: Can the new rotation lead them to the postseason?

By Joseph Romano

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 20: Starting pitcher Corey Kluber #28 of the Cleveland Indians pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning of Game 1 of a doubleheader at Progressive Field on April 20, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 20: Starting pitcher Corey Kluber #28 of the Cleveland Indians pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning of Game 1 of a doubleheader at Progressive Field on April 20, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /
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The Texas Rangers finished 2019 with a total of 78 wins and 84 losses, enough for third in the American League West division. However, rotational upgrades over the offseason have presented a completely different roster and it might be able to make a difference.

As it currently stands the Texas Rangers rotation is comprised of a slew of free agent and trade acquisitions. Mike Minor was signed in the offseason following the 2017 season and Lance Lynn was added via free agency prior to the start of the 2019 season. In the most recent offseason, Kyle Gibson and Jordan Lyles were added via free agency to form the bottom half of the rotation.

The final piece of this rotation is Corey Kluber, who the Rangers acquired from the Cleveland Indians through an offseason trade. Texas shipped Delino DeShields Jr. and Emmanuel Clase to Cleveland in order to acquire Kluber’s services.

One year removed from being an AL Cy Young finalist, Kluber was only able to muster 35 innings in 2019 due to a number of injuries. Within his interim period of healthy innings, he posted an ERA that touched six and lacked any form of consistency. This is particularly startling because in 2018 he hurled 215 innings to the tune of a 2.89 ERA and a sub-1 WHIP.

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The point being that Kluber is not very far removed from the peak performance of the prime of his career. Still, Kluber’s season was marred mainly by injuries not poor performance, therefore it would seem logical that he can reach those highs once again– or settle not far from it – with the Rangers.

A stable rotation can do wonders for an organization and a catcher with a mind for calling a game can make a pitching staff shine. Robinson Chirinos will allow this promising rotation to reach the goals that they must in order to compete for an AL West title.

The lineup is far from perfect, yet they have enough power to support the team’s pitching. There are no blatant deficiencies on the roster other than a lack of depth. If they were to encounter a rash of injuries, it is possible that they might not be able to weather the storm.

Therefore, the importance of this rotation becomes amplified, as only a level of consistency from a team’s pitchers can provide the stability needed for success over an entire regular season. Lynn and Minor’s performances in 2019, coupled with the potential of an ace-level season from Kluber, make for a daunting triumvirate in a short series.

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The American League West may have become more open in 2020 due to exodus of pitching from Houston and the inability of the Los Angeles Angels to acquire starting pitching. The potential is there, it is just a matter of if it can be reached.

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