Texas Rangers fans are having trouble seeing positives at the moment. I mean, who can blame them really?
The team is 2-7, the team ERA is 6.19, last in all of the MLB. The bullpen has been nothing short of embarrassing.
However, there are some positives that we can look at as a fanbase. Enjoy my “glass half full” look at the first 9 games of the season.
The Offense is Better
The Texas Rangers have scored 49 runs so far in 2022, tied for second in the American League. They are also tied for third in walks with 35.
Texas is tied for third in RBI, fifth in homers and fifth in team batting average. Stolen bases are up as well, as they rank fourth in the AL.
Adolis Garcia has already walked 5 times this season, and Nathaniel Lowe is batting .371. In limited play Nick Solak is batting .316.
Jonah Heim and Charlie Culberson are both batting over .400, and Heim had that career 5 RBI game against Shohei Ohtani. There are only two players on the team that have yet to work a walk.
Even with a 2-7 record, the team is showing vast improvement offensively. It is an encouraging sign for the future of the season.
There Are Some Pitching Positives
Dane Dunning has struck out 11 batters in 8.2 innings pitched. Taylor Hearn has been a positive as well, with 10 punch-out’s in 7.2 innings pitched.
Out of the pen Brock Burke has an ERA of 3.86 and has struck out 10 and walked 2 in just 4.2 innings pitched, while Matt Bush is sporting a 2.25 ERA is his four appearances.
Let us not forget that Jon Gray was mowing down Blue Jays before a blister caused him to lose command. Dennis Santana (2.70 ERA) and Albert Abreu (3.00 ERA) have both shined out of the bullpen as well.
Things to Remember
As passionate fans sometimes it is difficult to remember that this is still a developmental year. The Minor Leagues overall look really promising so far.
You will see names like A.J. Alexy (5.14 ERA), Cole Winn (1.13 ERA), Jake Latz (2.40 ERA) and others in Arlington at some point this summer. You will probably see guys like Bubba Thompson (.391 with 6 stolen bases), Davis Wendzel (.250/.348/.475) and Leody Tavares (.437/.457/.659) there as well.
My point is there is plenty to look forward to in this 2-7 start. There are even positives to take away from the Major League Club so far in 2022.
While it is easy to be discouraged, let us all remember that there is a lot of baseball still to be played for the Texas Rangers in 2022. Some of that baseball will be hard to watch, and some will be a lot of fun. As Ron Wahington once said, “That’s the way baseball go”.
*Ben Dieter is one of the hosts of The Ranger Report Podcast here on Dallas Sports Nation. He owns and operates The Ranger Report Website. You can find him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
