Just how awful has Texas Rangers starting pitching been in 2018?

Despite having a good offense and a solid bullpen, the Texas Rangers are having a poor season. Their starting pitching has been that dreadful.

After last night’s win, the Texas Rangers improved to 54-69 on the year. They now stand 21 games behind the division leading Houston Astros. A lackluster season such as this one generally points to a lackluster offense, bullpen, and rotation. Though, that is not the case with the Rangers.

586 runs scored by their offense ranks 5th in MLB. That’s pretty good for a daily lineup filled with players under the age of 25. In addition, the Texas bullpen ranks 17th in MLB with a 4.12 ERA. That’s pretty good for a relief crew that lost Keone Kela, Jake Diekman and Jesse Chavez weeks ago. The offense and the bullpen have plenty of reasons to be performing poorly; yet, both sectors are performing very well. If only we could say the same about the starting rotation.

A brutally bad rotation doesn’t come as much of a surprise. I’m not sure there has been a scrappier bunch of starting pitchers in the history of MLB than the one the Texas Rangers constructed entering 2018. The opening day rotation consisted of…

CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 2: Starting pitcher Matt Moore #55 of the Texas Rangers reacts after giving up a home run during the second inning to Jason Kipnis #22 of the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on May 2, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Rangers 12-4. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Cole Hamels– His age 34 season. Opening day consensus: Hamels is past his prime, but still a quality pitcher – still worthy of the “Ace” title.

Martin Perez– Hadn’t seen an ERA below 4.30 since 2013. Opening day consensus: A ton to prove, but he probably won’t prove much.

Doug Fister– Age 34 season, hadn’t seen an ERA below 4.19 since 2014. Opening day consensus: Also past his prime, but capable of earning double-digit wins.

Mike Minor– Converted starter to reliever, back to starter from reliever. Opening day consensus: Has potential, but he’ll need to prove he can handle a starter’s workload.

Matt Moore– Ruined by injuries; coming off a 6-15, 5.52 ERA season with the San Francisco Giants. Opening day consensus: Maybe the Rangers can strike lightning in a bottle.

As the team stands on August 17th, only two of those pitchers remain in the starting rotation – Martin Perez and Mike Minor. Fister made just 12 starts for Texas and was just recently shut down for the season with a knee injury. Moore was assigned to the bullpen after 12 terrible starts. And of course, Hamels was traded to the Chicago Cubs. Hamels went 5-9 with a 4.72 ERA in 20 starts with the Rangers prior to the trade.

Now, a 45-year-old Bartolo Colon is in the rotation, along with rookie Ariel Jurado and a well-traveled Yovani Gallardo. There have been other starters throughout the year, but none notable.

In total, Texas Rangers starting pitchers have posted the following numbers:

-5.39 ERA (last in MLB)

-467 strikeouts (last in MLB)

-.285 batting average against (last in MLB)

-121 home runs allowed (most in MLB)

The Rangers have had their fair share of bad starting rotations; however, I don’t recall one being this helpless. 2018’s struggle should spotlight how far this team is from contention.