Texas Rangers: Top 5 Moments from the first half

The Rangers are officially half-way through the schedule. They came up just short of 50 wins with a loss on Thursday afternoon to the Detroit Tigers. They are in first place at this point for the first time since 2016. They have survived losing their high-paid shortstop for a month and have persevered through losing their ace pitcher for the rest of the season. This team has really come together to be one of the best teams in baseball. Before we get started with the second half and the huge series with the Houston Astros that starts on Friday, I want to look back at the best five moments of the first half of the season.

Opening Day Rally against the Phillies

A sell out crowd was in attendance back on March 30th for Opening Day against the defending NL Champion Philadelphia Phillies. Jacob deGrom was handed the ball in his first start in a Rangers uniform. He went up against Aaron Nola. deGrom while good, did run into issues and was removed in the fourth inning with the score 4-0. Cole Ragans came in and promptly gave up a double to allow the inherited runner to score and it was 5-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth.

In the bottom of the fourth fans were given their first glimpse on how powerful this lineup was going to be.

It was a 9-run fourth inning rally that saw 12 hitters come to the plate, there were seven hits, including a three-run home run from Robbie Grossman, and two walks. They ended up scoring 11 runs on the day and won the game and swept the series from Philadelphia. It was an eye-opening series that set the tone for what was to come after that.