Rangers' pitching staff providing fans every ounce of optimism for a turnaround

This season has been a frustrating one for the Texas Rangers and their fans. We have never seen this reversal of fortune with the pitching being so good, but not having the hitting to pick them up.

From Ruben Sierra, Ivan Rodriguez, and Rafael Palmeiro to Josh Hamilton, Adrian Beltre, and Corey Seager, the ball has always traveled well and often hot off the bat for over the past 40 years.

That's not the case so far this year, and it feels like if the Rangers don't fully take advantage of the pitching staff's dominance soon, it will be a wasted season.

The Rangers' pitchers lead the major league in all three major categories

The Rangers lead all of MLB with a 3.23 ERA (3.20 starters and 3.27 for relievers) as well as holding a league leading 1.16 WHIP, just above their division rival Houston Astros.

They have two aces, or an ace 1A and 1B, in Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi, respectively. And while Tyler Mahle is currently on the injured list he has been far and away better than anyone expected and is expected back at full strength for a hopeful second-half push to a postseason spot.

The top of the staff and relievers have been so good that the team has been able to withstand Jack Leiter, Kumar Rocker, and Patrick Corbin wobbling a bit as of late at the tail end of the rotation. Then, if any reinforcements were needed, Jon Gray made a rehab start on Wednesday, trending toward his return as well.

The Ranger offense is clearly feeling the pressure to keep up with the pitching

We know this group can hit. The core of that offensive juggernaut from the World Series championship team is still in place.

It begs the question: are guys like Adolis Garcia, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, and the now demoted Josh Jung feeling the pressure to not let these pitchers down?

When the pitching and defense are the very best in the league, it could be that the hitters are pressing to pull their weight.

The offense over the last 20 games has been more consistent but not enough to put together a meaningful winning streak to get the team over the .500 mark. Even with a +36 run differential, the big hits and key runs late in ball games still seem to elude this lineup.