With three previews to go, the season is upon us, and I can’t wait. While games have been played overseas, our national past time comes home this week! Today’s preview features the reigning World Series Champion Texas Rangers. After years of pushing the boulder up the hill, the Rangers finally brought a World Championship to Arlington with a magical run down the stretch and through the playoffs. After being led by a potent lineup and solid veteran pitcher, the Rangers didn’t feel they need much in the way of additions. While they wait with bated breath to find out if Jordan Montgomery will return as a free agent, they did add veteran starters Michael Lorenzen and Tyler Mahle (injured) and reliever David Robertson. Their biggest additions will come in the form of injured stars returning to full health, something they expect to happen during the first half of the season. Will it be enough to repeat? Let’s find out!

Keys to Success

1. Nate Anchors the Staff: While lots of attention was rightfully paid to the Rangers array of bats and the addition of Jacob deGrom last winter, it felt like the signing of Nathan Eovaldi went under the radar. Once the season started however, Nate pitched like an ace once again and put together a dominant postseason, coming as no surprise given his nickname. With the uncertainty around Montgomery and injuries to the rest of the staff, Eovaldi will need to once again shoulder the load in the rotation.

2. Big Bats Provide Backup: While Adolis Garcia, Marcus Semien and Jonah Heim (pictured above) are stars in their own right, the lineup will be missing a few of its core pieces to begin the year. Josh Jung, Corey Seager, and Nathaniel Lowe are all injured to begin the year, and while they are expected to return somewhat quickly, their absence will be felt. The three-gentleman pictured above will have to carry the load as this team works through some pitching question marks and injuries.

3. The Walking Wounded Return: You’d be able to win a lot of games with just the six guys pictured above on your team. The Rangers have them all hurt right now, which tells you a lot about their ability to cover for losses with quality depth. Seager, Jung and Lowe are expected to return in first two months of the season, with Scherzer, Mahle and deGrom not far behind. When they get everyone back, look out!

The Lineup

1. Marcus Semien 2B

2. Evan Carter CF

3. Wyatt Langford DH

4. Adolis Garcia RF

5. Jonah Heim C

6. Josh Jung 3B (Returning from injury for opening day)

7. Leody Tavares LF

8. Justin Foscue 1B

9. Ezquiel Duran SS

The Staff

1. Nathan Eovaldi

2. Jon Gray

3. Andrew Heaney

4. Michael Lorenzen

5. Dane Dunning

Closer: Jose LeClerc

The Prediction

93 Wins and the AL West Title

This Rangers team is pretty loaded, even while dealing with tons of injuries, and I think they will outlast the Astros. As they get guys back, they will take off and should be much less volatile than last season having gained the experience of making a deep playoff run to a title. While there could be a hangover, I expect them to be motivated to repeat.

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