Jack Leiter a bright spot for Rangers amid struggles on home opening weekend series

The Texas Rangers didn't have the best home opening; in fact, it was far from it as they got swept by the Cincinnati Reds. However, the series wasn't completely lost for the team from DFW.

Jack Leiter, was able to continue his hot start to the season. He pitched five innings, gathering nine strikeouts, allowing four hits, one walk and one earned run. Certainly not the reason the Rangers lost on Easter Sunday; it was once again the offense struggling to produce that did the team in.

Furthermore, it might just be two games pitched, but Leiter is currently sporting a 2.45 ERA, which puts him near the top of pitchers in the American League nine games into the season. Additionally, with 17 strikeouts, the former second-overall selection is tied for fifth in MLB.

For Rangers' pitcher Jack Leiter, the work is relentless

Leiter's start may be surprising to some. Although once you learn more about his work ethic, the surprise factor will be brought down a bit, because for the Rangers' pitcher, the work is relentless.

"It (pitching) is a never-ending art, a never-ending craft. It's always about finding ways to stay ahead of the competition and to continue dialing your stuff," he told a reporter this weekend. "You're not going to have it every day, so the more weapons you go in with as a starting pitcher, the better chances you give yourself. It's not if, it's when."

For Leiter, that "when" hasn't happened yet, and it doesn't look like it's anywhere on the horizon. The Rangers and their fans sure hope he can keep up the good work, because at this rate he might become the ace of the rotation over Jacob deGrom or Nathan Eovaldi.

Texas will have to do without him in their next series, as Leiter won't pitch again until they travel to Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers. There he'll be pitching against the defending World Series champions, and the team will be hoping he continues the streak he's on.