The Texas Rangers are aiming to achieve what no team has done in over two decades – defend their World Series championship. The last team to achieve this feat was the New York Yankees, who won three consecutive titles from 1998 to 2000. Since then, only the 2009 Phillies have reached the World Series the year after winning it all, but they fell short to the Yankees.
The Rangers faced an uphill battle from the start, trying to run it back after winning their first championship in 2023. The team has struggled at times, showing signs of a World Series hangover. Despite closing the first half of the season strong, they stumbled by losing two of three games against the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles to start the second half. However, they managed to salvage the series finale and are still in contention, trailing the Houston Astros by five games in the AL West division.
Pitcher Andrew Heaney emphasized the importance of taking it one game at a time and handling business. The team’s immediate focus is to stay competitive and be in a position to make moves before the trade deadline on July 30. Their upcoming series against the struggling Chicago White Sox and a favorable road trip present an opportunity to gain ground in the standings.
The Rangers’ bid for a repeat championship relies heavily on the return of key players from injuries. Two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom and right-hander Tyler Mahle are progressing well in their recovery from surgeries and could provide a significant boost to the team. Offensively, the returns of third baseman Josh Jung and outfielder Evan Carter are also expected in the near future.
Despite long odds and unfavorable World Series predictions, the Rangers remain confident in their abilities. With reinforcements on the horizon and a favorable schedule to close out the season, the team believes they can make a strong push towards another title. Pitcher Max Scherzer expressed confidence in the team’s talent and competitiveness, believing they can challenge any team in the league.
As second baseman Marcus Semien noted, the Rangers are trending in the right direction and have the potential to be a formidable force once they are fully healthy. With a positive outlook and a determined mindset, the Rangers are ready to prove their doubters wrong and make a strong run towards defending their championship.