Nate Lowe, strong pitching lead Texas Rangers to first series win of 2021

Pitching wins ballgames, and when the Texas Rangers are fortunate enough to receive some, it will more likely than not translate in the win column.

That’s precisely what happened this week against the Toronto Blue Jays, as the Rangers opened up the home portion of their schedule against the potential playoff contenders from north of the border.

Texas took two out of three games in the series between the rivals to improve their record to 3-3 (.500) on the year.

The series started out on the wrong foot with Mike Foltynewicz struggling over four innings Monday, but finished with a bang thanks in no small part to Dane Dunning’s strong five innings on Tuesday and Kyle Gibson’s massive improvement in his second start of the season Wednesday, pitching six scoreless frames.

The Texas Rangers have won their first series of 2021 at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays.

The bullpen was able to hold Ranger leads during the series, including back-to-back saves by replacement closer Ian Kennedy, who is arguably doing enough to retain that role even when guys like Jose Leclerc and Jonathan Hernandez return.

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Of course, the bigger storyline from this first series win of 2021 for the Texas Rangers was the continued success of first baseman Nate Lowe, who is clearly on a different planet right now given his other-wordly production this far.

Lowe went 0-4 in the series finale but lit up the first two games with three hits (including two home runs), and five RBI’s to extend his Major-League leading total to 14 RBI’s on the season.

It might be safe to say the 25-year-old has found his niche here in Arlington, but that’s just our hunch.

Lowe is embracing his time in the sun, as a path to regular playing time eluded him in Tampa Bay.

It won’t in Texas, though, and the slugging first baseman is looking like the long-awaited successor at the position to Mark Teixeira.

The Rangers have a challenge facing them following a Thursday off-day. They’ll host the Fernando Tatis Jr.-less San Diego Padres, who still boast an incredible collection of talent despite his absence, for a weekend series to close out the first home stand of the season at Globe Life Field.

Kohei Arihara, KC series hero Jordan Lyles and Mike Foltynewicz are tapped to start those three contests for Texas.

Let’s finish the home stand strong and keep things #StraightUpTX!