One bold prediction for the Rangers heading into opening day

The regular season opener is right around the corner, and it is time for a fearlessly bold prediction for the 2026 Texas Rangers.

Statistically speaking, this prediction isn't likely to come to fruition, but that is what makes it bold and eternally optimistic as the team looks to rebound from a disappointing season.

One bold prediction for the Rangers heading into opening day

The starting rotation will combine for 70 wins in 2026

There has been a slew of offensive predictions thrown around in recent days as the season is set to begin, so we're going to focus on the starting pitching for our bold proclamation.

Specifically, we are going to focus on the projected starting staff of Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, MacKenzie Gore, Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker.

Our bold prediction is that the five of them will combine for at least 70 wins this season. If you do the math, that comes to an impressive 14 wins for each of them, though it doesn't mean each will get there.

Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi will exceed their win total from last season

The basis for this rather lofty projection is largely predicated on the offense being significantly better this season than it was last year. With more runs scored in support of what was the best starting staff in baseball last year, it should translate into more rotation wins.

deGrom will be on less of a pitch count after a healthy 2025, increasing from 12 to 18, and Eovaldi will be healthier this season and should also see a six-win increase from 11 to 17. That's 35 wins just between the two staff aces, leaving Gore, Leiter and Rocker to cobble together the remaining 35.

Gore has elite stuff and only managed five wins with the light-hitting Washington Nationals last season. He should double that total with a better Texas lineup and hit 10 wins in 2026. Look for Leiter to improve the most of all five starters as he comes into his own during his third big-league season and notch 15 wins of his own - five more than his total of 10 in 2026.

That leaves only 10 wins to get to the 70-win prediction, and Rocker will get that nasty change-up strikeout pitch working consistently and get the staff to the number with 10 wins of his own.

If the starting staff gets to 70 wins, then it likely means the Rangers have had a rebound season and are not only contending for a postseason spot but becoming a legitimate threat to reach the World Series and win it all again in 2026.

That is what's so great about the beginning of a new season, anything and everything feels like it's on the table and there for the taking with a glass-half-full attitude.