Where do national experts place the Texas Rangers in their MLB power rankings?
The Texas Rangers are fresh off a series victory over the Angels and own a 20-13 record heading into Monday’s late game at Seattle.
The Rangers are in first place in the American League West. How do the pundits view the Rangers hot start?
A look at some of their rankings:
Matt Snyder, CBS Sports
I always feel like saying a player is on a full-season pace for something gives a better perspective to how he’s been playing than just a raw number. Anyway, García is on pace for 177 RBI. For those curious, the only Rangers players ever to go for 130 RBI are Juan Gonzalez, Rafael Palmeiro, Mark Teixeira, A-Rod and Josh Hamilton.
Tim Boyle, Fansided
Owners of the second-best run differential in MLB and with a solid record right now that has them leading the American League West, they’re exactly where they need to be among the best in baseball.The Rangers have scored 221 runs which is second in MLB right now. In what will be one of the strongest divisions in baseball this year, the Rangers are the early kings.
Gabe Lacques, USA Today Sports
221 runs; more than any club outside Tampa Bay.
Manny Randhawa, MLB.com
This week’s Power Rankings feature a big shakeup thanks to teams that are surging and others that have gone into a tailspin.
Rowan Kavner, Fox Sports
The success of the Rangers (20-13), who boast the second-best run differential in the AL behind the Rays, and the Angels (19-16) make this division deeper than most. The AL East and AL West are the only divisions with at least four teams with positive run differentials.
Matt Johnson, Sportsnaut
Through its first 31 games, the Texas Rangers rank eighth in batting average (.260), fifth in OPS (.786) and 10th in team ERA (3.74). It’s an accomplishment considering the volatile range of performances we’ve seen from this club.
Jesse Rogers, ESPN
The Rangers appear to have righted the ship since being swept by the Reds, but Jacob deGrom going on the IL with forearm tightness will test the pitching staff. Without him, the rotation looks ordinary. As Texas holds its collective breath, the team will attempt to cover deGrom’s innings by moving Dane Dunning into the rotation.
Rachael Millanta, BetMGM
During the offseason, MLB odds had the reigning title-holder Houston Astros as favorites to repeat as World Series champions (+650), but they’ve now fallen behind the Atlanta Braves (+500). The Tampa Bay Rays (+750) and Los Angeles Dodgers (+800) aren’t far behind.
Zach Buchanan, The Athletic
They are the team’s two priciest additions from the last two winters, and neither is on the field at the moment. deGrom is out with a forearm injury, while Seager hasn’t played in nearly a month due to a hamstring strain. Their absence hasn’t slowed the Rangers all that much, but with elite talents like those, you’re going to notice the difference eventually.
