National Baseball Pundit Offers Opinion on Texas Rangers

Are the Texas Rangers real contenders in the American League West?

It’s a fair question considering the start Bruce Bochy’s club has made this season, even after dropping the last two games to the Baltimore Orioles. The Rangers are still 3-2 and turned a lot of heads by sweeping the defending National League champion Philadelphia Phillies to open 2023.

Well, at least noted baseball reporter believes the Rangers are for real. Though “real,” in this case, is relative.

“They look like off their first series of the season, which is like 1 percent of the season, look like they’re going to be more competitive,” Ken Rosenthal said on his new streaming show “Fair Territory.”

Rosenthal’s main reservation is not about the makeup of the revamped Texas starting rotation, but more specifically its availability. He alluded to the injury history of Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, Andrew Heaney and Jon Gray.

“That is my biggest concern with this team,” Rosenthal continued. “But one the thing that I might have overlooked … their offense is deeper than most fans probably think.”

Outside of recognized stars Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, Rosenthal heaped praise on Adolis García, Mitch Garver and rookie Josh Jung.

“It starts to look like a more formidable group and that’s what saw against the Phillies, especially in the first two games,” Rosenthal added. “They’re going to pitch – if they’re healthy, we know that – but again whether they contend or not is going to depend on that rotation and its ability to stay upright. But their offense is good.”

The Rangers have shown that much in the last three games. After scoring 27 runs through two games, Texas has managed just four since.

The Rangers finish their three-game series against Baltimore hoping to salvage one win behind deGrom. The finale is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. at Globe Life Field.

Rosenthal doesn’t seem concerned by the Rangers’ slump. But he’s not overly enthusiastic, either. Still, considering Texas is coming off six consecutive losing seasons, his endorsement is noteworthy.

“I sort of like them,” Rosenthal concluded. “And don’t forget, if they are relatively healthy in the rotation, they’ve got one of the best managers of all time handling pitching in Bruce Bochy.”

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