It was indeed a season to forget for the Texas Rangers, as expectations remained high following their first‑ever World Series title, yet they once again fell short of postseason qualification. Though they hovered near a wild card spot into September, the Rangers lacked the depth and consistency required to sustain a playoff push. Their pitching staff, long viewed as a potential strength, suffered attrition and injuries that left gaps the team struggled to plug.
To bolster the rotation, the Rangers signed veteran reliever Carl Edwards Jr. in July on a minor‑league deal. Edwards, who had spent the early part of the year in the Mexican League with Tigres de Quintana Roo, appeared in Triple‑A before being called up in September. At the big league level, he made just a couple of appearances before being designated for assignment on September 19 to clear room on the 40‑man roster. Soon after, Edwards elected free agency.
The Rangers’ pitching staff, though impaired, had flashes of excellence. Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi turned in strong performances, with Texas posting a team ERA of 3.47, one of the best in the league. But injuries took their toll—Eovaldi, who was pitching at a high level, suffered a rotator cuff strain and was likely lost for the season. Meanwhile, the offensive production that had carried them in prior seasons dipped precipitously. Key hitters underperformed, leaving the team unable to take advantage of their pitching edge.
In late September, the Minnesota Twins officially eliminated Texas from playoff contention with a 4–1 win. That loss came amid a season‑high eight‑game losing streak for the Rangers, which further extinguished their slim postseason hopes.
Concurrently, Texas shut down two of its biggest offensive names for the rest of the year. Corey Seager, recovering from an appendectomy, and Marcus Semien, coping with a foot injury, were both placed on the injured list for the season’s remainder.
By season’s end, the Rangers finished at 81–81, a notable improvement over their 78–84 record from the prior year. But mediocrity was not enough in a competitive American League, and they missed the postseason for a second consecutive year.
In a reflection of this transitional moment, manager Bruce Bochy’s contract expired and he will not return. Now the front office, coaching staff, and roster face a crucial offseason as they attempt to rebuild momentum and avoid another campaign of close misses.
