Texas Rangers’ Playoff Hopes Rely on Health of One Key Player
For the Texas Rangers to stay in the playoff hunt, one player’s availability is critical: Corey Seager.
Seager’s long-term commitment to the Rangers is clear, and the team’s need for him to be in the lineup every day is undeniable.
The Rangers wrapped up a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, losing 8-3. Texas (38-40) won the first two games but couldn’t quite get back to a .500 record for the season. Despite still being under .500, the Rangers aren’t out of the American League playoff race, trailing the Houston Astros by seven games and sitting just two games behind the final AL Wild Card spot.
The upcoming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Rangers will be buyers or sellers at the MLB trade deadline. Having Seager healthy could make that decision easier.
The left-handed shortstop has already had two stints on the injured list and enters this week with a .234/.322/.389 slash line, a .711 OPS, seven home runs, and 16 RBI. If the season ended today, it would mark the worst slash line of his career.
Against the Pirates, Seager played in all three games, but his performance was underwhelming—just 2-for-12 with a home run and two RBI. He’s clearly struggling at the moment.
However, Seager’s presence on the field is vital for the Rangers’ success, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, who pointed out the stark difference in the team’s performance when Seager is in the lineup versus when he’s not. Since signing his 10-year, $325 million deal before the 2022 season, the Rangers are 166-86 when Seager gets at least one hit, but just 107-203 when he doesn’t.
While he only had two hits against the Pirates, they came during the two victories, and he went 0-for-4 in the loss.
Simply put, a productive Seager usually means a productive Rangers offense, even if it’s just one hit here and there.
The Rangers’ schedule leading up to the All-Star break begins with a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles starting Monday. After an off day on Thursday, Texas returns home to Globe Life Field for a three-game set against the Seattle Mariners, followed by another three-game series with the Orioles.
After that, Texas will spend the rest of the first half of the season on the road, starting with a July 4th series against the San Diego Padres. The Rangers will then play three games in San Diego, followed by a four-game series with the Los Angeles Angels. The first half concludes with a rivalry matchup against the Houston Astros on July 11.
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