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MLB 2017: One prediction for each team

By Joshua Sadlock

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 02: Kris Bryant
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 02: Kris Bryant /
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Oct 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Matt Bush throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the 8th inning during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Matt Bush throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the 8th inning during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Rangers: one-run wins slip away

The Rangers roared to 95 wins last year. Close to 40 percent of those victories were of the one-run variety. Texas won an almost incomprehensible 36 one-run games in 2016. With a bullpen that was just good enough and an offense that can keep the pressure on for all nine innings, the Rangers managed an extremely high number of comeback wins.

Success in one-run games can often be fleeting. The 2012 Orioles made their way back to the playoffs thanks to their ability to win one-run and extra-inning games. Baltimore brought back essentially the same team in 2013 and could not replicate their success in close games.

One of the reasons the Rangers played so many close games last year was their middling starting rotation behind Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels. They haven’t yet addressed the deficiencies in the third through fifth slot in the rotation. The bullpen is not among the best in the league, and outside of Matt Bush doesn’t have many arms with dominant, strikeout stuff.

Texas is looking at a step back next year. They won’t be able to go 15-4 against the Astros again. They may win their fair share of one-run games, but going 36-11 is out of the question.

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