Texas Rangers Drop Collection to Cubs, But Key Gamers Shine Amid the Freezing Season

The hot-hitting Texas Rangers proved that the chilly climate at Wrigley Field would not cease their momentum. Unfortunately, the Chicago Cubs managed to halt their successful streak, ending the Rangers’ first sequence loss.

Still, the Rangers are sitting on high of the AL West. The 9-4 file is robust proof that its key gamers from the final three-game set might do greater than that. Here are the takeaways from the sequence which might be well worth the evaluation.

Tyler Mahle Demonstrates His Value as Cold-Weather Gem

Against a backdrop the place beginning pitching had been hit and miss, Tyler Mahle proved himself on Wednesday. According to Sports Illustrated, the righty labored seven sturdy innings with two hits allowed and a lone run given up and struck out 4 within the course of.

This was his first time throwing that deep right into a recreation since 2022, and it was a formidable comeback from his transient first begin of the yr. Mahle has a 13.2-inning stat line with solely 5 hits and two earned runs given up, justifying the Rangers’ confidence in him after presenting a two-year, $22 million supply.

While his strikeout-to-walk ratio (12:7) is one thing he must work on, Mahle’s management and command are positively bettering, and he is a crucial piece of the rotation going ahead.

Marc Church Struggles But Shows Promise in Rangers’ Bullpen

Marc Church is one other standout, regardless that we all know that his uncooked expertise nonetheless hasn’t matured totally. As a 2024 bullpen holdover, he contributed two runs, three hits, and an ominous six walks in additional than 3.2 innings in 4 appearances.

Nevertheless, Church’s underlying numbers are pointing towards success sooner or later. Opponents are managing solely .231 off him, and he has a whiff charge that ranks within the 72nd percentile and a breaking run worth that ranks within the 89th percentile, based on Statcast. These sabermetric measures counsel he is having an outsized impression than could also be implied by commonplace numbers.

The Rangers appear keen to permit Church time to develop, significantly with a veteran bullpen giving good reduction.

Josh Jung’s Return Ignites Rangers’ Offense

One of the apparent takeaways from the sequence is that this: the Texas Rangers are simply higher with Josh Jung within the lineup. Since getting back from neck spasms, Jung has made an instantaneous impression.

He was a house run in need of the cycle in Tuesday’s 10-6 defeat, going 3-for-5 with one RBI. Then he had a double and one other RBI in Wednesday’s victory. In 4 video games this season, he is hitting .467/.467/1.200.

The Rangers are over .500 when Jung is within the lineup, highlighting simply how a lot he’s wanted for his or her playoff aspirations. As lengthy as he stays wholesome, Texas will proceed to be a perennial American League powerhouse.