Texas Rangers: Should Fans Be Worried After 2-8 Start to Spring?

It has not been the best beginning to Spring Training for the Rangers, but it’s still early. Through the first ten games this spring, Texas has only won twice. Should this lack of success begin to worry fans and the organization?

The record doesn’t look pretty for the Texas Rangers, but it’s not time to worry yet. Spring Training records don’t mean much especially in the beginning of March. Most starters only play a few innings, and plenty of depth and minor league players see most of the action.

The Offense

The offense has seen its fair share of struggles this spring, but Delino DeShields has been on fire. He’s collected six hits, and three walks in just 18 at-bats. Jonathan Lucroy and Rougned Odor have five hits each and two RBI in 12 at-bats this spring.

DeShields need to prove his value this season, and a hot start to Spring Training is a huge step in the right direction. Lucroy and Odor are main contributors in the lineup along with Nomar Mazara who has a home run and four RBI this spring.

The offensive numbers don’t look great, but the everyday players are performing, and that’s a good sign for Texas. This is a team that is going to need to score runs to win, and the middle of the order is in mid-season form right now.

The Pitching

Chi Chi Gonzalez has been a bright spot in a relatively dim beginning to spring for Rangers pitchers. Gonzalez has pitched five innings, allowing just one run, and striking out five with zero walks. Much like DeShields, Gonzalez is in a make-or-break season in 2017.

This spring has been awful for A.J. Griffin, allowing nine earned runs, and three home runs in just 7.2 innings. Yu Darvish struggled with command in his spring debut giving up two walks in 1.2 innings pitched.

Many of the regulars in the rotation have not found success this spring, but fans shouldn’t worry too much. It’s early in Spring Training and these pitchers have only thrown a few innings each.

Overall

Don’t let the 2-8 start bother you as the Chicago Cubs only won 11 games last Spring Training, and look what happened to them. The main contributors on offense are hitting, and that’s a positive for the organization.

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The starters are going to need to pick it up especially Griffin, and some of the other back-of-the-rotation pitchers. It’s early in March, and with more innings the consensus is that this pitchers will improve.

Let’s not forget that plenty of the Rangers players have left to play in the World Baseball Classic. The Cactus League worst 2-8 record does look bad, but it’s not time to sound the alarms in Arlington, it’s only Spring Training!