Texas Rangers turn a new leaf under Bruce Bochy
Early in the season, there are signs that the Texas Rangers are finally living up to their potential, getting off to a great start.
After the first full week of baseball in the 2023 MLB season, it looks like the Texas Rangers may have been able to finally turn a new leaf.
Of course, this early nothing can be certain. Some of the teams who look wonderful to start, flag down the stretch, while others who may fizzle at the beginning, turn out to be slow burners.
The talk of the league has been the Tampa Bay Rays pounding their opponents early, while the Yankees are always grabbing headlines and this year is no different, with Anthony Volpe giving good cause.
But one of the more exciting developments in the league is the early play of the Texas Rangers. They have looked poised and solid, with their starting rotation as good as any in MLB, and that vaunted middle infield starting to show dividends after two seasons of spluttering.
The return of Bruce Bochy to the Show looks like it could be just what the doctor ordered for fans in Arlington.
After six games, the Rangers are 4-3 sitting a half a game back from the Angels in the AL West. For a team who won only 68 games last season, that in itself is cause for celebration.
Of course, it is extremely early. And yes, the Astros are still looking like the team to beat, even though they are a game behind Texas.
But the Rangers are in a wonderful position. While teams like the Dodgers and Yankees are seen as failures if they don’t win the World Series, Texas needs only to become competitive in order to chalk up the 2023 season as a success.
Jacob deGrom looked as dominant a pitcher as everyone knows that he can be, striking out 11 against the Orioles. Marcus Semien and Corey Seager should be the strongest middle infield in baseball on paper, but have struggled to find their stride last season. This year, they are working like a half-billion-dollar duo should. But the revelation has been Josh Jung at third base. Hitting .318 and knocking in two home runs over the first week, Jung looks like an anchor point for that infield.
MLB seasons are notoriously long and gruelling, but if the Rangers can manage to keep this momentum going, then good days could indeed be back in Texas.