Fansided

Here’s how every MLB team will finish in 2018

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 28: Manny Machado
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 28: Manny Machado /
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Texas Rangers: 77.5 wins

  • Baseball Prospectus: 76 wins
  • FanGraphs: 83 wins

The wheels fell off for Rangers closer Sam Dyson in April last year, and his implosion put the team in a hole that it would never quite recover from. The Rangers missed the playoffs and finished the year 78-84, tied for third in the AL West. The fall from the postseason was not a complete surprise, as Texas had ridden to the division title in 2016 on the strength of over 30 wins in one-run games. That was never going to be sustainable.

Texas is in a weird place with its current roster. Not old enough to blow things up and start over, but not quite young enough to view themselves as an up-and-coming contender. A lot of money has been sunk into this roster, and there isn’t much the front office can do but play things out and hope for the best.

The Rangers have a powerful lineup, but an inconsistent lineup. Adrian Beltre’s veteran leadership can’t do much to offset the boom-or-bust nature that comes with Joey Gallo and Rougned Odor. There will be a ton of strikeouts, but just as many home runs. Unfortunately, the offense will be unpredictable.

Starting pitching will be a huge issue for the Rangers again this year, as they were unable to woo Yu Darvish back to Texas. Doug Fister, Matt Moore and Mike Minor all come with some upside, but could just as easily all be running a 5.50 ERA by the end of August in the sweltering Texas heat.

Conclusion: The Rangers have enough offense to avoid falling apart and losing 90 games, but not enough pitching to make real noise in the playoff race. They are an injury to Cole Hamels away from melting down, but the line is too difficult to call.

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