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Rangers Face Royals in Crucial AL Wild Card series
Table of Contents
Kansas City, MO – The Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals are set to clash in a pivotal series at Kauffman Stadium, with both teams vying for a postseason berth. The Rangers, despite a surprising 2023 pennant run, currently hold a losing record and trail the Royals by 1.5 games for the final Wild Card spot.
Series Context and Playoff Implications
Entering the series, the Rangers are 62-63, while the Royals boast a 63-61 record. Texas, after a strong July, has stumbled, losing eight of their last ten games and falling below a .500 record.the Royals are looking to capitalize on their recent momentum and solidify their position in the American League playoff picture.
Team Performance: A Statistical Overview
Both teams feature strong pitching staffs, but struggle offensively.The Rangers currently rank 24th in major League Baseball with 4.10 runs scored per game, while allowing a league-best 3.70 runs. The Royals are 27th in runs scored at 3.80 per game, but their pitching is third-best, conceding 3.83 runs per game.
| Team | record | Runs Scored/Game | Runs Allowed/Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Rangers | 62-63 | 4.10 | 3.70 |
| Kansas City Royals | 63-61 | 3.80 | 3.83 |
Key Player Updates and Concerns
The Rangers’ offense is hampered by the absence of Adolis García,who is sidelined with an ankle injury despite leading the team with 64 RBIs. Jake Burger has shown promise since returning from a quad injury, batting .429 in his last 21 at-bats, but is now questionable with a wrist injury. Corey Seager remains a key offensive threat against right-handed pitching, hitting .267 with a .390 on-base percentage and .457 slugging percentage. Wyatt langford is performing well on the road, with a .266 batting average.
Though, other Rangers hitters are struggling. Evan Carter’s production has dipped since July,while Josh Jung and Josh Smith are both in slumps. Joc Pederson’s offensive output has been particularly poor, with a wRC+ of just 14, ranking among the worst in the league.
Did You Know?
wRC+ (Weighted Runs Created Plus) is a comprehensive hitting statistic that adjusts for park factors and league averages.
pitching Matchups and Strategy
Jack Leiter has been a bright spot for the Rangers’ pitching staff, posting a 2.95 ERA over his last eight starts. His fastball, averaging 97 mph, is proving arduous for hitters. Merrill Kelly, recently acquired from the Diamondbacks, has a 4.50 ERA in three starts with the Rangers.Veteran Jacob deGrom, despite his age, continues to be a dominant force, ranking fifth in the league in ERA (2.76), third in WHIP (0.926), and tenth in strikeouts (148). Patrick Corbin, however, has struggled recently, allowing 16 runs in his last 14.2 innings.
The Rangers’ bullpen is performing well, ranking fifth in the league with a 3.69 ERA. Phil Maton, the new closer, has already blown two saves, while Robert Garcia, a former Royals farmhand, has nine saves but has shown inconsistency. Shawn Armstrong has been the most reliable reliever, holding right-handed hitters to a .115 batting average.
Pro Tip:
Analyzing bullpen usage and key matchups is crucial for predicting game outcomes, especially in close contests.
Defensive Prowess and Areas for Betterment
The Rangers are a strong defensive team, with Langford and Marcus Semien standing out. However, their catchers have thrown out only 16% of attempted stolen bases, ranking third-worst in the league.
