Texas Rangers Make Move in First Power Rankings of MLB Season

The Texas Rangers turned plenty of heads with their season-opening sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Dominating the defending National League champs is the main reason the Rangers (4-2) took a jump in one of the first power rankings for the 2023 MLB season.

The ESPN version had Bruce Bochy’s club at No. 13, up three spots from the preseason rankings. Yes, it’s one week into the season, but the rankings do illustrate a change in national perception of the Rangers.

From ESPN:

Texas overhauled its starting staff during the winter, but it was the offense that generated headlines after scoring 27 runs in its first two games against the NL pennant-winning Phillies. The Rangers returned to Earth with two losses to the Orioles, but they remain an intriguing team. Jacob deGrom’s debut wasn’t great but he still showed he can be a dominant pitcher as long as he’s healthy. He followed that start with a six-inning outing against the Orioles in which he allowed two runs and struck out 11. The back end of the Rangers’ rotation already seems better than it was last year.

Most of the teams above the Rangers were in the playoffs last season, including the World Series champion Houston Astros (No. 2).

The rankings from the rest of the AL West: Seattle Mariners (14), Los Angeles Angels (15) and Oakland Athletics (29).

ESPN touched on Texas’ chances to be in the postseason mix:

There’s no reason Bruce Bochy’s squad can’t contend for a wild card this season. Some unexpected performances – rookie Josh Jung is off to a good start – will help the Rangers’ cause.

Jung has been one of the standouts, with Bochy praising the third baseman for a “great” opening homestand. deGrom bounced back with a dominating performance in his second start. ESPN didn’t note the Rangers bullpen, which owns the lowest ERA in the majors.

The Rangers took one of three games against the Baltimore Orioles (19) to complete the six-game run at Globe Life Field. Texas hits the road for the first time Friday to open a three-game series at the Chicago Cubs (22).

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