Rangers ‘in a good place’ at the halfway point of the season

ARLINGTON — On the halfway level of the season, the Rangers are having fun with top-of-the-line begins in franchise historical past at 49-32 following Thursday afternoon’s 8-5 loss to the Tigers at Globe Life Area.

It’s tied for the third greatest 81-game begin to a marketing campaign in Washington/Texas historical past behind solely 2016 (52-29) and 2012 (50-31). Regardless of Thursday’s loss and a collection break up with the Tigers, the Rangers have nonetheless maintained a multi-game lead within the American League Westwith the Astros and Angels on their heels.

“It has been enjoyable to look at these guys,” supervisor Bruce Bochy mentioned. “General, you must be enthusiastic about this workforce and the way they’re taking part in. These guys have simply achieved an amazing job. They’ve been by some accidents and difficult losses, however they bounced again with an amazing job by them.”

Listed here are three observations from the midway level of the season:

1) The children are alright
Within the loss on Thursday, the youth of the Rangers shined. The trio of Josh Jung, Leody Taveras and Ezequiel Duran mixed to go 4-for-12, whereas accounting for 3 RBIs, which was all of Texas’ scoring output till the ninth inning.

After his fourth-inning homer, Duran has gone yard in a career-high three straight video games, matching the longest streak by a Ranger this season (Adolis García). He added a single within the ninth, making it his fifth straight multi-hit recreation, additionally matching the longest streak by a Ranger this season (Corey Seager).

Taveras’ solo homer within the sixth inning was his ninth of the season and seventh within the month of June. In 51 video games because the starting of Could, Taveras has slashed .323/.368/.527, giving the Rangers greater than sufficient depth on the backside of the lineup.

“It is gonna be very important that these guys proceed to play like they’re taking part in,” Bochy mentioned. “They’re a part of our core group. To be trustworthy, what Duran’s been doing, what Jung has been doing, it is simply good to see that power and the expertise that they’ve. They only compete so effectively. So it has been lots of enjoyable to look at their progress because the season has gone, and so they’ll proceed to play effectively. I’ve a lot confidence in these guys.”

2) Bradford offers serviceable depth, however the Rangers nonetheless want extra
Rangers No. 26 prospect Cody Bradford made his third spot begin of the season, giving the rotation an additional day of relaxation going into the four-game set with Houston this weekend. The younger lefty went 4 1/3 innings, permitting three runs on 4 hits, whereas putting out a career-high eight batters.

Whereas he didn’t issue into the choice of the sport, Bradford offered significant innings for the Rangers, who will little question nonetheless try so as to add extra depth within the rotation on the Deadline.

“I do know some guys may say it is tough, however I do know my function right here,” Bradford mentioned of the up and down between the Minors and massive leagues this season. “And I do know it is to fill innings when the workforce wants me. So from my perspective, my job would not change, it is to go on the market and throw strikes — that’s who I’m, a strike thrower — and simply get outs.”

3) Offense is again?
After a rough stretch of games wherein the Rangers offense went chilly throughout a collection loss in New York and dropping the primary recreation towards Detroit, the membership appeared re-energized to shut out the collection.

Regardless of going simply 1-for-6 with runners in scoring place, Rangers batters mixed for 12 hits, tied for many in any loss in 2023 (achieved 5 instances). It was the membership’s MLB-leading forty fourth recreation with double-digit hits this season, as each Texas starter reached base a minimum of as soon as.

The Rangers are nonetheless top-of-the-line offensive groups in baseball, as they’re slashing .274/.343/.459 with an AL-best .802 OPS on the season.

“I believe you must be fairly excited, I believe, if you have a look at the primary half,” Bochy mentioned. “Granted, you recognize, we have not fairly performed as effectively, clicking offensively as constantly as we had been, however we’re in place. … I like the place we’re at.”