2020 Texas Rangers Preview – MLB Preview & Prediction
Could this be the year the Rangers are able to make a move into the AL West race? That really remains to be seen as the Texas Rangers did make some moves and last year while the Rangers were fairly decent, the Rangers moves could go either way, but with some of the members of their roster, the Rangers did not really need to have the changes made, but have to avoid injury and look for some of the players to return to their normal form.
Texas Rangers Starters
The starters for the Rangers is going to come into the year here with some good talent on the roster. A key factor for the Rangers stems from the fact that the rotation has to stay healthy and keep their great form. The staff ace is projected to be Corey Kluber, but he is followed up by Mike Minor, Lance Lynn, Kyle Gibson and then Jordan Lyles. Kluber is coming over after a short year with the Rangers which seen him start in 7 games with 35.2 innings pitched. Kluber did get a total of 38 strikeouts, but posted a 2-3 record and a 5.80 ERA.
Texas Rangers Relievers
When it comes to the relievers the Rangers would like to showcase their talent, but it could be a challenge for the Texas team with the way the team has to respond to the pressure of taking over for what could be a good set up from the starters. The relievers are slated to be Rafael Montero, Brett Martin, Joely Rodriguez, Luke Farrell, and Yohander Mendez. The closer for Texas is projected to be Jose Leclerc. Last season Leclerc threw in 70 games with 3 starts, but did throw 68.2 innings. Leclerc did strike out 100 batters while posting a 2-4 record with 14 saves and 4 blown saves, but did post a 4.33 ERA.
Texas Rangers Catchers
When it comes to the catchers the Rangers do have several players that could really make the difference for the team. However, Jeff Mathis is the backup that is projected and Robinson Chirinos is the projected starter for the Rangers. When it comes to playing last year Chirinos played in 114 games in Houston, but did hit at a clip of .238 with 17 homers and 58 RBIs. When teams did run against Chirinos he was able to throw out only 21.1% of the runners.
Texas Rangers Corners
The infield is definitely going to start at the corners. The Rangers could have some question marks on the year at the corners with Todd Frazier starting at first, but he is older. Nick Solak is the projected starter at third base. Ronald Guzman is the back up at first base and Frazier is the backup for Solak. Frazier last year played for the Mets in a total of 133 game and hit at a clip of.251 with 21 homers and brought in 67 runners. When it comes to Solak he played in 33 games with a .293 average and ended up hitting 5 homers with 17 runners brought home.
Texas Rangers Middle Infield
For the middle infield, the Rangers are looking solid as the stars from last year come back. The projected starter at second base for the Rangers is Rougned Odor and at short it is projected to be Elvis Andrus. The backup for second is Nick Solark and at short it is projected to be Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Last year Odor played in 145 games for the Rangers and hit at a clip of .205 with 30 homers and 93 RBIs. Andrus last season played in 147 games and hit at a clip of .275 with 12 homers and 72 RBIs on the year.
Texas Rangers Outfield
The outfield for the Rangers is fairly lacking in depth with Nick Solak, the starter at 3rd backing up left and center. Shin-Soo Choo is the backup right fielder. The starters for the Rangers is Willie Calhoun in left, Danny Santana in center, and Joey Gallo in right field. Calhoun last year played in 83 games for the Rangers and hit at a clip of .269 while hitting 21 homers and bringing home 48 batters. When it comes to Santana he was able to get 130 games played and hit at a clip of .283 while getting 28 homers and 81 runners brought home. Gallo for his part played in 70 games with a .253 average and 22 homers and 49 RBIs.
Texas Rangers Designated Hitter
The designated hitter that is projected for the Rangers is Shin-Soo Choo. Choo was able to play in 151 games last year and ended up hitting at a clip of .265 on the year with 24 homers and 61 runners brought home on the year.
Texas Rangers Prediction
Now the Rangers did make some off season moves, but the hitters that were brought in are not really that good at contact. That could really hurt the Rangers if the hitters are not able to start to make a lot of contact. Look for the Rangers to have some decent runs in this season, but also have some problems in getting the team all clicking on the same page and the bullpen could have some issues as well that is going to keep the Rangers in check on the year.
