These missed chances are quietly derailing the Rangers' offense in 2025

When the Rangers get a man on second, often time the rally dies there. These missed chances are adding up and are proving to be the difference maker in wins and losses early in the season.

While the Rangers' pitching staff boasts a commendable 3.26 ERA—third in Major League Baseball—the offense continues to struggle, particularly in those clutch situations.

What is the potential impact on the Rangers' record if they improved their performance in those moments? Let's dive into it.

How are they performing with RISP so far, what difference has it made?

The Rangers' batting average with RISP stands at .229, placing them among the lower tier in MLB. Statistically this plainly indicates difficulties in capitalizing on scoring opportunities, as fans know to be a critical factor in deciding close games. Additionally, the team averages 3.14 runners left in scoring position per game, ranking seventh-highest in the league.

The good news is that Texas is consistently finding ways to put them in those scenarios but they keep falling flat in the execution. As a team, they are hitting .229 with runners in scoring position, nearly 30 points lower than league average.

Consider a scenario where Texas is able to improve to that league average, which is around .260, what would that translate to? Assuming the team has had approximately 400 at-bats in their first 51 games that would mean they would have produced an additional 12 hits and around 18 runs.

That means they are leaving an extra 2-3 runs per game on the board. And for a team that is averaging 3.35 runs per game, that's a difference between 27th in the league and top 10. Not only that, these additional runs would be pivotal in close games, altering the outcomes of several close contests.

What impact would this have on their record?

The Rangers have been in 20 games decided by two runs or fewer, with a 9–11 record in those matchups.

If they improved their performance in these moments and it led to an additional run or two in even half of these close games, it's plausible the team could have secured at least three to four more victories. This adjustment would shift their record to approximately 28–23, positioning the Rangers much more favorably in the AL West standings.

This is not only an issue we've seen all season from the Rangers but also a big problem they had in 2024. Their inability to capitalize when runners get on base and in scoring position has hindered their success.

What's worse this time around is that the Rangers have a remarkable pitching staff, only allowing 3.16 runs per game, which is third best in MLB. They are constantly wasting their starter's terrific performances. Take for example this week in the Bronx when deGrom and Eovaldi gave up just three combined runs to one of the best offenses in baseball, yet the Rangers ended up getting swept.

Enhancing their performance in clutch situations could translate to a notable improvement in the win-loss record, emphasizing the critical nature of situational hitting in baseball.

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