3 takeaways from the Rangers Opening Day loss to the Red Sox

Just like that Opening Day has come and gone. However, the good news remains that there is still at least 161 more games to be played from here until October. That's a welcomed thought for the Texas Rangers who dropped their season opener to Boston in the late innings.

A pitcher's duel from the beginning Garrett Crochet and Nathan Eovaldi went head-to-head, only surrendering two runs each in six innings of work. With the game tied 2-2 in the top of ninth Wilyer Abreu, who homered earlier in the game, decided he wanted Boston to win and hit a three-run home to make it 5-2.

Boston walked away with the win and the Rangers dropped their first Opening Day game since the 2022 season. Despite it being game 1 of 162, it's time to overreact to nine innings of baseball.

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3 key takeaways after the Rangers game one loss to Boston

Bullpen, bullpen, bullpen...

Time and time again we discuss this bullpen, the lack of improvement and frustration it is associated with.

Ownership went cheap this offseason and refused to grab an actual closer, instead opting for smaller deals on a smattering of veteran arms. I will say, in a small sample size, that Chris Martin and Robert Garcia played their parts well on Thursday but that's the only two arms I feel decent about coming out of the bullpen.

I am a bit confused on why Texas decided that Luke Jackson would be the team's closer to start the year but it backfired amazingly quick after Jackson gave up the game-winning three-run homer to Abreu in the ninth.

By not effectively addressing the glaring bullpen issues this offseason, Texas is putting a wild amount of pressure on the offense to be lights out all year long like they were in 2023. The truth of the matter is, that trend of success doesn't last forever. At some point, the Rangers will need a bullpen arm or two to step up and gain Bochy's trust in order for the team to make a deep run into October.

Jake Burger will win Gold Glove at first base this season

Burger looked great in the infield from the moment the first pitch was thrown, which is good for him because the ball found him early. Matter of a fact, it found him quite often over there at first base and with each play that increased in difficulty he locked it down.

The Rangers have a strong reputation of helping to build their first baseman to elite defensive talents. They did so with Nathaniel Lowe, who went on to win a Cy Young, and Mitch Moreland also showed multiple seasons of high-level defense during his tenure.

Improving his glove was a big point of emphasis for Burger this spring, working with infielder and first base coach Cory Ragsdale on every aspect of the position. On the first play of the game, Burger ranged way off the bag, backhanded a grounder and made a great lead throw to Eovaldi covering the bag. Later to cap off a tremendous Josh Smith play, Burger did a great job of stretching and scooping to finish off the out.

It's these factors why I believe Burger has a strong chance to be a Gold Glove winner at first this season.

Kyle Higashioka is a better catching option than Jonah Heim

Unfortunately I think this a growing sentiment among Rangers' fans that have seen Heim get worse day after day since his wrist injury in July 2023.

Last season for Heim was tough, seeing major declines across the board, not only at the plate but behind it as well. This spring wasn't really much different, struggling to find his groove on the offensive side. It meant sidelining Heim on Opening Day and starting Higashioka instead.

Higashioka is coming off his best career year with the San Diego Padres in 2024. He was one of the team's best hitters in the spring and has seemed to create a rapport with the pitching staff rather quickly. On top of that, Higashioka recorded an RBI double on Opening Day, smoking a 96 mph sinker from Crochet off the wall in dead center.

Now Heim could turn it around but it will have to be quick. I predict that the Rangers will make a shift in the first couple of months to Higashioka as catcher No. 1 in the depth chart.