4 moments that for better or worse defined Rangers 2026 season

Let's face facts: the Texas Rangers' 2026 season was exceedingly average, punctuated by a disappointing final week. For the most part, it was tedious, with occasional walk-off fun and long home runs, but it was also terribly frustrating to watch this group underperform and play down to the level of the competition in a horribly down year in the AL West.

Nevertheless, there were four moments that you can point to and say, for better or worse, shaped the season. Here are the four most memorable flashpoints that contributed to the Rangers finishing 80-82 and just shy of their first postseason appearance since 2023.

These moments, good and bad, defined the Rangers' 2026 season

1. Jacob Latz locks down the closer position

As the club broke spring training in Surprise, the plan was to have Chris Martin and Robert Garcia combine to handle the closer position. Thank goodness that never came to fruition, and Jacob Latz stepped out of his starter/swingman mode and firmly into the role.

It was April 25 against the Athletics at Globe Life Field that Latz notched his first save, 4-3, and never looked back. It was one of the best seasons by a Rangers' closer in franchise history, as he finished with 30 saves, a 2.13 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 2.6 bWAR, and 83 Ks spanning 72 high-leverage innings pitched. He was a revelation and was rewarded with his first All-Star Game nod.

2. Josh Jung injures his calf and the offense goes belly up

Jung was having a solid, if not spectacular, year, offensively anchoring an inconsistent lineup every day. He was a .300 hitter for most of the first half of the season, and Skip Schumaker could depend on him to deliver quality at-bats when guys like Corey Seager and Wyatt Langford struggled and dealt with injuries.

Then Jung exited the game against the White Sox on July 21 with what appeared to be a minor, day-to-day calf strain. He ended up on the IL for 7 weeks, and the Rangers' offense lost its rudder. The offense began to spiral downward without Jung and spent all of the second half just trying to stay close to .500. His absence turned out to be far more important than anyone believed.

3. Jacob deGrom refuses to waive no-trade clause at the deadline

When Jacob deGrom told Chris Young and the Rangers' brass that he would not accept a trade to the Braves at the deadline, it was seen as a vote of confidence in the current clubhouse makeup, but it ultimately cost the team a shot at getting Spencer Strider in the deal. Strider is a 20-game winner and All-Star who is just 27 years old. He is rehabbing an injury, but should return to form next season.

As for deGrom, he went 4-4 following his decision to stay in Arlington with a 4.77 ERA after the trade deadline, on his way to his worst season of his career, ERA-wise at 4.20. Unfortunately, he was at his worst when the team needed him the most, which leads us into the next huge moment in the 2026 season.

4. deGrom gives up 8 runs in the first game of the final series of the season against the Twins

The Rangers had their ace on the hill and knew they likely needed a sweep in the final series of the season against the Twins to overtake the Astros and clinch the AL West title. deGrom promptly allowed a season-high 8 earned runs on 8 hits and 3 walks in 4 innings to doom the team's chances.

It was fitting that it was one of the big three (deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, Corey Seager) who failed to give the organization what it needed in one of the most pivotal games of the season. All three of the big-money players shrank when the lights became brightest, and they had their backs against the wall. Just one final disappointment in a disappointing season.

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