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Predicting the Texas Rangers' 2024 Opening Day lineup

By Brian Sweet |
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the / Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY
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Thursday will bring out a lot of emotions for Texas Rangers fans attending Opening Day at Globe Life Field against the Chicago Cubs. Seeing that World Series Champions banner unveiled will be a moment everyone will remember forever, thanks especially to Corey Seager's clutch ninth-inning homer.

It was shortly after that Adolis Garcia would walk it off in the 10th inning to send fans into a frenzy. I remember crying after Garcia jumped on home plate to complete the comeback. That was when most fans knew the Rangers were about to walk away with the title.

The last time the Rangers were at Globe Life Field, they celebrated winning their first World Series title in franchise history. It's been the shortest offseason in franchise history, and fans can't wait to help the Rangers run it back in search of back-to-back titles.

We're just days away from seeing our favorite players take the field, and here's what we think manager Bruce Bochy has cooking.

Predicting the Texas Rangers' 2024 Opening Day lineup

SP: Nathan "Houdini" Eovaldi

It's already been confirmed by Bochy that Nathan Eovaldi will be the starting pitcher on Thursday night against the Cubs. Eovaldi will forever be remembered as the pitcher who got the Rangers out of bases-loaded situations in the playoffs last season.

He finished with a 2.63 ERA and 13 strikeouts during the playoffs. He even received the nickname "Houdini" from the play-by-play announcers. He deserves the honor of starting on Opening Night for helping the Rangers make franchise history in 2023.

1. Second base: Marcus " Iron Man" Semien

Marcus Semien will be the leadoff hitter on Opening Day. Semien is one of only two players in the league that played all 162 games three times since 2019. Semien was the leader in the clubhouse who got everyone to focus during the playoffs last season. He finished the 2023 regular season with a .276 batting average and 29 home runs. His home run in game five of the World Series cemented the Rangers' World Series title.

2. Shortstop: Corey "The GOAT" Seager

The 2023 World Series MVP will bat in his usual spot in the lineup. Corey Seager helped finish the job after Adolis Garcia injured his back. He finished with a .327 batting average and 33 home runs last season despite dealing with injuries. It looked like he wouldn't be in the Opening Day lineup after injuring himself in spring training. With a lot of rehabbing, Bochy said it's likely that Seager will be in the lineup on opening night. Tremendous news.

3. Left Field: Evan "The Truth" Carter

Evan Carter will bat third in the lineup on Opening Day. Carter has been electrifying since being called up in September. Most fans thought he should have been called up to the majors at the All-Star break last season based on how he was hitting with the Frisco RoughRiders. Carter's catch at the wall in the ALCS was another moment that will forever be remembered from the Rangers' playoff run last season. Expect a battle between Carter and Wyatt Langford for the American League Rookie of the Year award.

4. Right Field: Adolis "El Bombi" Garcia

After hitting a snag on agreeing to an extension earlier this offseason, Adolis Garcia re-signed with the Rangers and will hit fourth in the lineup. Garcia's cleanup ability will help the Rangers when they have runners on base. Garcia earned ALCS MVP honors after an earth-shattering performacne against the Houston Astros in the postseason. The Rangers wouldn't have represented the American League in the World Series if he didn't have step up the way he did.

5. Third Base: Josh "MLB JungBoy" Jung

Josh Jung looks to improve during his sophomore season in the fifth spot in the lineup. Jung finished fourth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting last season. If he wasn't injured for the majority of the second half of the season, there was a good chance he could have walked away with the honors. Jung finished with a .266 batting average and 23 home runs last year. Hopefully he doesn't fall into a sophomore slump during the 2024 season.

6. Designated Hitter: Wyatt Langford

The spring training surprise has made the Rangers' Opening Day Roster and will bat sixth in the lineup. This is the perfect spot for Wyatt Langford in the lineup because he won't have too much pressure to be a difference-maker in his first career game. Langford was dominant in spring training with a .325 batting average and 20 RBI. There's a reason why Bruce Bochy cut right to the chase by asking Langford for a meeting in his office last week.

7. Catcher: Jonah "Heim Time" Heim

One of the best catchers in the entire league will bat in the seventh spot in the lineup. Heim's popularity grew throughout the 2023 season for his incredible framing ability. It's even more shocking that MLB Network didn't even bother ranking him on their top 10 of catchers list during the offseason. Heim finished the 2023 season with a .258 batting average and 18 home runs. He will do great in the bottom half of the lineup and continue to confuse more umpires this season.

8. First Base: Jared Walsh

Before everyone freaks out, Nathaniel Lowe will be in the lineup shortly after he recovers from his injury. In the meantime, Jared Walsh has earned the opportunity to start at first base. Walsh finished with a .233 batting average, 10 hits, and six RBI during spring training. He will probably be optioned to the Round Rock Express once Lowe is healthy enough to return. Rangers fans must give him a warm Opening Day welcome when his name is introduced.

9. Center Field: Leody Taveras

Leody Taveras should round off the lineup this season. He was the cleanup batter for most of last season, so it would be no surprise to see him ninth in the lineup. He finished the 2023 season with a .266 batting average and 14 home runs. Taveras is a young outfielder who has the potential to play most of this season at that position. However, If Langford has an incredible first half, Taveras might be on the trading block when the deadline arrives in late July.

For those attending Opening Day, enjoy watching the banner being unveiled before the first pitch. It will be a fun season reminiscing on the World Series title and watching the Rangers try to win a second one in a row.

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