In this week’s edition of the FanSided Power Rankings, the Texas Rangers have fallen in the rankings for the first time in many weeks. The team jumped up last week two spots from 15th to 13th but have fallen three spots to 16th in this week’s edition. The team struggled this week with a six game losing streak but bounced back last night with another great start by Yovani Gallardo. Here’s what was said about the Rangers this week:
"Despite losing four in a row, Texas has been quite the surprise over the last month-plus. However, they certainly need to add pitching and appear to be a favorite for Cole Hamels. The Rangers have the pieces to make a deal happen and would be an ideal landing spot.-Kyle Franzoni"
There were many high points this week, highlighted by some solid hitting performances. The starting rotation struggled overall the past week and while the lineup performed well, they did not string enough hits together to put up enough runs. The offense showed major signs of life last night with home runs by Mitch Moreland, Robinson Chirinos, and Rougned Odor although all three were solo home runs. If they are able to get some players on base, the power of this lineup will allow them to score runs in bunches like they did in May and early June.
More from Nolan Writin'
- Framework for a potential Max Fried trade to the Texas Rangers
- Early 2023 MLB mock draft has Texas Rangers selecting an Ohtani-lite
- 3 Texas Rangers outfield trade targets not named Bryan Reynolds
- Did Jacob deGrom really mean what he said at his Texas Rangers press conference?
- Where do Texas Rangers prospects Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker stand after the DeGrom signing?
Although the team lost six of their last seven, there were not too many low points as many of the games were close, with four of the six losses coming by less than three runs. Individual struggles include Leonys Martin who was replaced in center field by Joey Gallo. Gallo went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts and successfully made the out in his one chance in center. Some starting pitchers struggled this week, including Wandy Rodriguez and Nick Martinez although they have both bounced back after rough starts this week and they should do the same this week as the team takes on the Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Angels.
Taking a look around the American League West, the Houston Astros have won just four of their last 10 games but jump one spot from fifth to fourth. Despite the Rangers losing streak, they remain in striking distance at just four games behind the Astros. The Los Angeles Angels have won five of their last ten and dropped in the rankings this week to 17th as the Rangers stay ahead of them by just one spot. The Seattle Mariners remain in the same spot at 23rd in the rankings, and are just four games behind both the Angels and the Rangers, eight games behind the Astros. The Oakland Athletics have made the biggest jump in what has been a rough week for the American League West as a whole. The Athletics have jumped three spots to 24th in the rankings and are just one spot and one game behind the Mariners.