First pitch: The secrets to success for these 3 surprising MLB teams

MLB secret to success: Texas Rangers

The 13-7 record posted by Texas in its first 20 games was the best 20-game start for the Rangers since 2013. Compare that to last season when the Rangers didn’t win their 13th game until May 12 and you can see why there is some excitement in the Metroplex.

While so much attention was on the signing of Jacob deGrom this offseason, it has been the bats that has helped drive the Rangers early on in 2023. Through their first 20 games, Texas scored 134 runs (second only in MLB to Tampa Bay’s 145) and posted a +57 run differential (Tampa had +85). In those 20 games,

Marcus Semien has played a big role in the team’s success. One of the big offseason acquisitions prior to last season, Semien struggled in his first season in the Lone State State. However, he has found his groove in 2023, becoming the first player in Washington/Texas franchise history with to have 20 or more RBI and score 20 or more runs in the first 20 games of the campaign.

Texas is also getting history-making individual game performances as well. In an 18-3 plastering of the Oakland A’s on Saturday night, Adolis Garcia logged 16 total bases (three home runs and a pair of doubles) along with eight RBI, becoming just the third player in the modern era to have at least three homers, score five runs, drive in eight, and record 16 total bases (Gil Hodges for Brooklyn in 1950 and Anthony Rendon for Washington in 2017 were the others).

Sure, deGrom has been what the Rangers hoped on the mound, but it’s the bats that are making Rangers fans happy deep in the heart of Texas.