The troubling detail to the Texas Rangers that defies their own history
The Texas Rangers are a “perfect” 180-187 since winning their World Series.
Perfect because the identity of the franchise for decades was offense, and since winning the World Series their bats are 180 degrees opposite of that persona.
Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said enough games have been played here in 2026 to qualify as a good “body of evidence.” The chalk outline of the Rangers’ body is an offense that has not come to life since it scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning in Game 5 to win the 2023 World Series.
The consistency of this offense starting in 2024 is no longer troubling as it is confounding. Even if the team didn’t spend much in the offseason, and ranks 15th in MLB in payroll, it should be able to generate more runs than its current pace. If this offense can be average, the Rangers could contend for at least a playoff spot.
“Our lineup has not all clicked and gotten hot together,” Schumaker said. “We’ve had one or two guys hot, but not collectively felt good about where they’re at. The lineup has potential.”
This is encouraging, and not entirely new.
The Texas Rangers offense during and after the 2023 World Series
A look at the Rangers’ offense and its MLB rankings in 2023, ‘24, ‘25 and now here in ‘26 is a cruise liner sailing over the edge of the earth:
2023: record: 90-72 Runs (rank): third OBP: third OPS: third HR: third (tie)
2024: 78-84 Runs: 18th OBP: 20th OPS: 23rd HR: 18th
2025: 81-81 Runs: 25th OBP: 26th OPS: 26th HR: 18th
2026: 21-22 Runs: 27th OBP: 22nd OPS: 26th HR: 21 (t)
A little more than one year ago to the day, the Rangers fired offensive coach Donnie Ecker and replaced him with former Major League All-Star second baseman Bret Boone. Boone was let go after the season; Justin Viele is now joined by Alex Cintron and Eric Dorton as the other hitting coaches.
Historically a big-league position coach can make a tangible difference with one or two players, but seldom does the person have the power to increase production on an entire lineup.
It’s not just Corey Seager
Through 156 at bats, All-Star shortstop Corey Seager is batting .179. That’s one-seven-nine.
As baseball has evolved, the batting average has dropped in importance behind on-base percentage and on-base plus slugging percentage, but a .179 batting average is still an assault to the senses.
Injuries limited Seager, 32, to 102 games last season as his production has dropped since the World Series. This season, he leads the team in home runs, and is tied for second in RBIs.
Seager is the easy guy to blame for the state of this offense; as the face of the team who is its highest-paid player, he justifiably shoulders a disproportionate share. If the Rangers are going to do more than dance around .500, Seager will have to do what he’s paid to: produce.
“Two-time World Series MVP; they don’t just hand those things out,” Schumaker said this week before the series-finale against Arizona. “He’s a big part of who we are and who we want to be towards the end of the season. He does not take days off. He’s the hardest working superstar I’ve ever been around. That tells me it’s going to come eventually.
“There are some big names who have had tough months to start the season, and that’s OK. That just means he’s going to have a really good five months.
He’s not the only one hoping for a “really good five months.”
Betting on Seager is a safe decision, but the Rangers’ offensive issues extend beyond one hitter. Designated hitter Joc Pederson is still not much of a threat. Outfielders Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford remain in the potential phase. The catcher position has contributed nothing.
Infielder Josh Smith has been injured, and on Friday the team announced he’s been diagnosed with viral meningitis,
“It’s been up and down; we’ve had some really good games where we don’t chase (pitches),” Schumaker said. “And then we win those games. When we do chase, either the fastball at the top, or the slider off the plate, is when we have trouble. It’s been a focus throughout the day each day.
“The game is the game, and it will tell you exactly what we need to continue to work on. The guys always feel like they are about to get hot, and that’s what you want each day.”
The game thus far is telling them their offense remains the problem.
