It’s been an up-and-down first six weeks of the season for the defending world champion Texas Rangers. The Rangers occupied first place much of the first month of the season. After Thursday’s 6-0 win over Washington, they own a 17-15 record and trail Seattle by a half-game in the American League West Division. Their record is similar to their 2023 mark at this stage of the season. when they were 19-13 after 32 games. SLOWED BY INJURIES Pitcher Dane Dunning said injuries have contributed to the uneven start for the offense, but said he expects the team will find its groove.
“Corey [Seager’s] technically still in spring training. He missed all spring training because of his sports hernia he’s still getting his rhythm and timing back. So like once he clicks, [we’re] gonna go. We’re missing Josh Jung,” said Dunning, “We just got Nate back and he’s doing great at the plate right now, but like, even with Nate, it’s still kind of spring training for him.” Seager is hitting .227 with two home runs and eight RBIs since his return from injury, yet has played in all but three games this season. Jung has only played four games this season, is on the 60-day injured list, and is four to six weeks away from playing. Lowe has only played 10 games since returning from a right oblique strain suffered during training camp but has hit the ball well with a .314 batting average with one home run and two RBIs.
However, the first baseman said he’s still finding his rhythm behind the plate and knows the offense can perform better than it has. “I’m a little behind but, you know, that’s part of the curve,” said Lowe, “It’s a good thing that we could play .500 ball with a target on our back with an offense that really isn’t doing what we wanted to do yet because we’re missing some pieces here and there.” UNEVEN OFFENSIVE START After fielding one of the best offenses in the MLB last year the Rangers have stalled at times ranking 11th in average (.248), 15th in runs scored (135) and 11th in hits (259). However, manager Bruce Bochy isn’t worried about the slow start. “It’s not uncommon early in the season, see guys get off to a bit of a slow start-up,” said Bochy, “It takes a while to get into that flow, that rhythm.”
