Two Truths, One Lie - Rangers Edition

The AL West is probably the most competitive division, with the Astros, Angels, and Mariners within one game of each other…in second place. However, the first-place team, the Texas Rangers, is the biggest surprise. I don't know if it is sustainable, but the upstarts from the Lone Star State have made the race for the AL West Pennant interesting.

Truth #1: The Rangers' pitching staff could be lethal.

It was hard for me to type that with a straight face because, coming into the season, most people would vote in the Astros' favor when grading starting pitching. The biggest concern for the Rangers was always counting on a rotation with a severe injury history. Ace Jacob deGrom tends to miss up to ten starts a year, Andrew Heaney has had Tommy John surgery twice, and Nathan Eovaldi has never been the picture of health.

About a month in DeGrom is the only one to miss a start (wrist inflammation), and they are shoving. Again, history says the starters will miss a few games, but these arms are holding up their end of the bargain right now.

Truth #2: Offense won't be a problem.

General Manager Chris Young has spent a boatload of cash to augment the offense over the past few years. The free agent and trade market investments are starting to pay off, as the team is leading the league with 6.57 runs per game.

He's added the all-star middle infield tandem of Marcus Semien and Corey Seager. In addition, trade acquisitions included Nathan Lowe, Eziekel Duran, and Josh Smith, significantly raising the team's floor. But the standout is top prospect Josh Jung.

The toolsy third baseman has locked down the hot corner providing solid defense and serious pop (.281/,326/.820). In addition, he performs at a well-above-average clip (wRC+ 128) despite a high strikeout rate (32.5%). If Jung continues to rake while the rest of the lineup performs to their baseball card, this offense will continue to be a problem for AL West foes.

Lie #1: Adolis Garcia is due for regression

Cuban slugger Adolis Garcia has always had loud tools. He has 80-grade power, a strong arm, and plus speed. Coming into his 30-year-old season, you'd expect some regression. However, the signs were there, especially regarding strikeouts (377) over the past two years. That swing and miss made me think his bat speed was slowing down. Unfortunately, that isn't the case.

We could still say the sample size is small (89 AB), but his strikeouts are down significantly (22). One month in the slash line is the best of his career (.258/.306/.845), resulting in a 132 wRC+. I see many of the same adjustments Eugenio Suarez made in Garcia's 2023 approach—more balls in play, a lower launch angle, and fewer strikeouts. We could see an MVP-caliber season if he continues to implement these adjustments.