Power Rankings Move for Texas Rangers

Another week, another climb for the Texas Rangers in the latest MLB Power Rankings from ESPN.com.

The Rangers (18-12) moved into the top 10 last week and saw a climb this time to No. 8. The American League West leaders have gone up in each edition of the rankings.

Per ESPN.com:

The Rangers appear to have righted the ship since being swept by the Reds, but Jacob deGrom going on the IL with forearm tightness will test the pitching staff. Without him, the rotation looks ordinary.

The Rangers did suffer a pair of subpar starts from Jon Gray and Andrew Heaney this week in splitting an interleague series with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Texas opens a 10-game road trip Friday at the Los Angeles Angels. In what would have been deGrom’s turn to start, long reliever Dane Dunning moves back into the rotation.

Dunning went 4-8 last year with a 4.46 ERA in 29 starts. The right-hander is 2-0 with a 1.77 ERA this season, with both wins coming in relief of deGrom.

ESPN.com added:

As Texas holds its collective breath, the team will attempt to cover deGrom’s innings by moving Dane Dunning into the rotation. The 28-year-old’s previous chances as a starter haven’t gone well, but he has been great as a long man out of the pen this season. If that can translate to the rotation, the Rangers might be OK as long as deGrom’s IL stay isn’t an extended one. Those are big ifs, though, both about deGrom’s injury and Dunning’s ability.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy indicated that deGrom is about two weeks from returning.

The rankings for rest of the AL West: Houston Astros (4), Angels (18), Seattle Mariners (20) and Oakland Athletics (30).

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