Rangers infielder's hot streak comes amid attempted playoff surge

Ezequiel Duran has spent most of the season being the guy that most Texas Rangers fans would like to see jettisoned. However, all of a sudden, he's become one of the most valuable players on the entire team.

The 26-year-old infielder has slashed .310/.341/.381/.722 since July 1 and played above-average defense at first base while Jake Burger continued his rehab. He's been even hotter more recently.

Ezequiel Duran puts Texas Rangers on his shoulders in big series

Duran went 6 for 7, scored three runs, and drove in three more when the Texas Rangers won two of three games vs. the New York Yankees earlier this week. He hit a game-tying two-run single vs. All-Star left-hander Max Fried in Monday's win vs. the Yankees and went 3 for 3 with a double vs. All-Star lefty Carlos Rodón in Wednesday's loss.

Even when the Rangers were handed a 9-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night, Duran went 2-for-4 with two singles. In his last six games, he's posted an incredible .600/.600/.667/1.267 with 4 RBI and a stolen base.

"Your role players play such an important part of your season," Bochy said before Friday's game. "They have a critical role because when you do have an injury, or you're giving a guy a day off, you need them to go out and perform and produce."

Ezequiel Duran has taken what was an incredibly slow start and turned himself into someone the Texas Rangers have leaned on off the bench and as an impromptu starter. If the team can get back into a playoff spot, he'll play a big part.