After taking a World Cup break, the Rangers resume their season of frustration, having lost four of their last five, including the first two of the three-game series to the Minnesota Twins.
In true soccer fashion, they’ve scored just two runs a game in this series.
Just when they finally broke even and it looked like they might be headed in the right direction, they’re unable to get out of their own way.
So much of the blame for the season is being pinned on the offense, and deservedly so. But it’s the rotation that’s letting down the Rangers. What was such a bright spot last year has turned into a landmine. You never know what you’re going to step in. But you know it’s not going to be good.
Jack Leiter started the first game of the Rangers slide, losing 10-1 to Boston, allowing six Red Sox runs to score in his five-inning attempt.
Then it was Jacob deGrom’s turn. He’s been the lone bright spot. He gave up just two runs in six innings. But, as always happens with struggling teams, when the rotation succeeds, the bullpen lets them down, giving up four runs in their final two innings for a 6-3 loss.
Last year’s Cy Young-worthy candidate Nathan Eovaldi is aging right before our eyes. He’s had a few brilliant starts but mostly duds. This was one of his brilliant starts, holding the Red Sox to just three runs in his seven innings of a game Texas won 6-4.
Then it was MacKenzie Gore’s turn. Gore is an apt name. He put the game away early, allowing three first-inning runs to the Twins in a 4-2 loss. He struck out ten batters, though, as if that’s the consolation prize. That’s why the Rangers acquired him. He strikes out a lot of batters—in between all the runs he gives up.
And finally, it was Kumar Rocker, who so generously gifsts other teams first-inning runs. He gave up two in the first. And three more in the third. And two of the five in the fourth.
And just like that, the Rangers rotation was true to form deGrom gives them a chance to win. Eovaldi is hit and miss. Gore gives his team a chance to lose. Rocker is a work in progress. And Leiter starts with an L and usually ends with one.
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