Texas Rangers Weekly Report: There's no place like home

Do you all remember the famous words that Dorthy said in The Wizard of Oz, "There's no place like home?" Well, that line fit perfectly for the Rangers after coming home after a disappointing road trip in Houston and San Diego two weeks ago.

The Rangers took care of business at home winning six in a row by sweeping the Chicago White Sox and the Miami Marlins. According to the Texas Rangers PR X Account, the Rangers have won seven straight and the last 13-15 games at home. It's also the second-longest win streak at Globe Life Field ever. The longest winning streak at home, was set this year from May 19th to June 6th.

It seemed everything was going to plan this week until our friend the injury bug decided to strike yet again. This time it's All-Star third baseman Josh Jung. He left the game on Sunday against the Marlins after taking a 109 mph rocket off of Jorge Soler's bat to his thumb. X-rays showed that the thumb is indeed fractured.

His Rookie of the Year campaign could be over if he's out for a long time. It stinks to see such a talented rookie have an injury at a time when the Rangers need his bat. I think he will return for the playoff run if the Rangers are able to secure a spot this season. Jonathan Ornelas was called up as a backup for third base as Ezequiel Duran takes over in Jung's absence.

Now for the good news with the Rangers' injury situation. Jonah Heim ran the bases on Sunday as he continues to rehab in order to play again this season. It was reported that Heim could take some dry swings while the team is in Oakland this week.

As for Nathan Eovaldi, he threw this week and didn't feel any pain in his arm which is a good sign. The Rangers will more than likely take their time with his rehab in order to get him back in the rotation. You might see him get a rehab start or two in Round Rock or Frisco once he feels that he can pitch in a game.

As for the schedule this week, they go back out to the west coast to take on the Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco Giants. The series against the Giants could get emotional for Rangers Manager Bruce Bochy as he won three World Series rings with the Giants before he briefly retired.

Texas Rangers Weekly Report: Who's Hot

Jordan Montgomery and Max Scherzer

Both starting pitchers that the Rangers acquired at the deadline were just as advertised this week. Scherzer started off a little shaky in the first inning against the White Sox, but settled down as the game went along. He finished with seven hits, three earned runs, and nine strikeouts. Montgomery went out and did his thing against the Marlins on Friday, allowing six hits, two earned runs, and six strikeouts. Both arms will be needed down the stretch as the Rangers try to secure a playoff spot.

Corey Seager

Seager decided in the middle of the week that his thumb was fine and made Bochy make a last-minute lineup change. Seager was what this team needed as he provided some valuable offense this week. He had nine hits which resulted in five home runs, 10 RBIs and he scored eight runs as well. The Rangers definitely needed him as the division lead hangs in the balance.

Andrew Heaney

I have got to give Heaney some love as well, as he opened the homestand and closed it with two great pitching performances. In the homestand opener against the White Sox, he finished the game with 11 Ks. In the homestand finale, he struck out four and held the Marlins to just four hits. He also has 15 2/3 consecutive shutout innings during his last two starts which is the longest in his career. He has really changed since the trade deadline and I'm starting to like the new Heaney.

Texas Rangers Weekly Report: Who's not hot

Leody Taveras

Ever since the All-Star break we've seen a completely different Taveras. I don't know if it's just pitchers finally figuring out how to pitch to him or if he's just in a really bad slump right now. I know he can do better, and the Rangers need him too with Jung injured right now. The other reason why he is on the bottom list was his decision to dive for a ball he couldn't catch that allowed the Marlins to score two runs. He needs to make better decisions in the field moving forward.

Josh Jung

Jung is on the bottom list because he will be out for a while with the thumb fracture that happened on Sunday. As I mentioned above, it stinks to lose a talent like Jung this late in the season trying to make a playoff push. He has made some ridiculous defensive plays at third base for the Rangers this season. Duran will fill in for him at third base while he recovers from his injury.

Texas Rangers Upcoming Schedule

August 7th-9th Away vs Oakland Athletics

August 11th-13th Away vs San Francisco Giants