Which Texas Rangers’ starting pitcher could throw a no-hitter in 2021?

The Texas Rangers have been the victim of two no-hitters in the same ballpark before the month of June and that is a tough pill to swallow. No MLB team has yet to give up three no-hitters in one season, so that’s not a thought that we should have, nor jinx.

Rather, let’s assess which Texas Rangers starting pitcher has the best opportunity to throw a no-hitter in a year where it feels like every MLB team has a chance.

First off, Kenny Rogers was the last Ranger pitcher to throw a no-hitter and that was in July of 1994 against the California Angels. There have been a couple close calls in the past decade, but nothing touches Yu Darvish being one out away in 2013. Either way, I’m just trying to say it’s been a very long time since we have witnessed a Ranger pitcher throw one.

So, which current Rangers starting pitcher has the best odds-on making history in 2021?

RHP Jordan Lyles (2-3)

Jordan Lyles has some experience getting deep with no-no’s and even perfection. Could he do it with the Texas Rangers?

In the past, Jordan Lyles has actually flirted with a perfect game. In 2018, against the Colorado Rockies, Lyles came within 5 outs of giving San Diego their first no-hitter in franchise history. Trevor Story’s one-out single ended the bid, but this just shows Lyles has been in the situation before.

His chances of throwing one in Texas are low, but let’s not rule him out completely. Lyles just had a very great outing against Gerrit Cole and the New York Yankees in the win on Monday, May 17th. In six innings he only allowed one run while recording six strikeouts.

While his last start was his best as of late, he has had a very streaky start to the season and has a 6.35 ERA in 34 innings pitched. What concerns me the most about his likelihood of throwing a no-hitter? Well, Lyles has surrendered 41 hits in those 34 innings.

I love the history, but I’m not sure the 30-year-old has enough magic to pull off a no-hitter in this point of his career.

RHP Mike Foltynewicz (1-4)

“Folty” hasn’t quite had the bounce back that the Texas Rangers were hoping for, but he still has good raw stuff.

Mike Foltynewicz is actually the only pitcher out of this group that has been the closest to completing a no-hitter. In 2017, Foltynewicz was three outs away from no-hitting the Oakland Athletics as a member of the Atlanta Braves.

During the 2017 season, Foltynewicz recorded an ERA of 4.79 and gave up 169 hits in 154.0 innings pitched. If Foltynewicz would have gotten those three outs, it would have been the oddest no-hitter of the season.

Five years later, Foltynewicz is honestly on pace to put up similar numbers. He has all the capabilities of tossing a no-hitter, but often he has a difficult time maintaining control of his pitches as the game progresses.

I’m not going to rule out Foltynewicz throwing a no-hitter for the Rangers, but his odds are extremely low. Either way, I hope he proves me wrong.

RHP Dane Dunning (2-3)

The Texas Rangers starter with the highest ceiling.

Dane Dunning has been one of my favorite pitchers to watch this season. Although Dunning hit a small slump earlier this May, he impressed by tossing six scoreless innings in his last start against the New York Yankees.

While I feel like we have only witnessed a small sample size, Dunning’s chances of throwing a no-hitter are actually pretty good. At one point of the season, Dunning had a 0.61 ERA and threw 16.0 straight scoreless innings.

As much as I want Dunning to break the streak, I would put his chances behind this next Rangers’ pitcher. He is a worthy candidate, but Dunning needs to pitch beyond six innings and as of now, that is not in his control.

Overall, I like his odds, but not his time yet.

RHP Kyle Gibson (3-0)

Kyle Gibson is the ace of the Texas Rangers’ 2021 rotation, so he’s got the best chance.

If any Ranger pitcher has the best chance to throw a no-hitter, it has to be the ace, Kyle Gibson. After one of the shortest opening day performances in franchise history, Gibson has without a doubt been the best Rangers pitcher of the season.

In his last 7 games pitched, the 33-year-old has an ERA of 1.69 with 35 strikeouts and only 9 ER. Gibson has proved over the past couple of starts that he can go beyond six innings and that’s obviously an important quality to have in attempting to achieve a no-hitter. (Next to not giving up a hit)

Now, with the Rangers’ luck in the month of May, Kyle Gibson will throw a no-hitter, but for another team. If Gibson is dealt at the trade deadline, don’t be surprised if he has one later this season, and even better, it’s against the Rangers.

On second thought, let’s hope this doesn’t come true.

In reality, the chances of a Rangers’ pitcher adding to the list of no-hitters this year are relatively low, but I wouldn’t give up on them. Or as Ex-Rangers Manager Jeff Banister would say, #NeverEverQuit.