The Rangers fell 2-1 to the Tigers on July 20, dropping to .500 despite Corey Seager's streak. An injury concern for Nathan Eovaldi adds to the team's woes.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
There's a certain symmetry to a .500 record, but for the Texas Rangers, sitting at 50-50 feels more like being stuck in neutral. A tough 2-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Sunday night dropped the Rangers to the mathematical midpoint of the season, a frustrating outcome capped by an injury concern for a key starter and an offense that couldn't find the big hit when it mattered most. Now, with the Oakland Athletics coming to town, the team faces an immediate test to prove which direction they're heading.
Amid the team's struggles, Corey Seager has been a model of consistency, extending his on-base streak to 21 games—the longest active run in the American League.
Sunday's series finale against the Tigers was a classic pitcher's duel that ultimately broke the wrong way. The Rangers' lone run came in the seventh inning, not from a clutch hit, but when Adolis García alertly scampered home on a wild pitch. That was all they could muster against Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, who was electric, striking out 11 over 6.2 innings. The tie was short-lived, as Detroit's Matt Vierling delivered the decisive blow in the eighth, a tiebreaking single off reliever Chris Martin that sealed the 2-1 victory for the Tigers.
The day started with concerning news before the first pitch was even thrown. Ace Nathan Eovaldi was a late scratch from his scheduled start due to back tightness, a worrying development for the veteran right-hander. Spot-starter Jacob Latz was thrust into action and held his own, giving the Rangers five innings of one-run ball. While Latz's performance was admirable, the real story is Eovaldi. The team has provided no immediate update on his status, leaving a major question mark hanging over the rotation as they head into a crucial stretch.
The biggest bright spot on a tough night was, once again, Corey Seager. The shortstop continued his torrid pace, collecting two hits off the formidable Skubal to extend his on-base streak to an impressive 21 games. It's the longest active streak in the American League and a testament to Seager's elite plate discipline and hitting prowess. While the team searches for offensive consistency, Seager remains a reliable force at the top of the lineup, a constant threat no matter who is on the mound.
There's no time to dwell on the loss, as the Rangers welcome the AL West's last-place Oakland Athletics for a three-game set starting Monday. The series opener puts the spotlight on rookie right-hander Jack Leiter (5-6, 4.37 ERA), who will be looking to get the team back in the win column. He'll face off against A's lefty Jacob Lopez (3-5, 4.20 ERA). Sitting 7.5 games behind Houston in the division, this series at Globe Life Field feels less like a routine homestand and more like a must-win situation to build momentum and climb back into the race.
At 50-50, the Rangers are at a crossroads. The path forward requires the offense, beyond the steady presence of Seager and García, to come alive and provide run support. It also requires young arms like Jack Leiter to step up, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Nathan Eovaldi's health. Tonight's game against the A's isn't just another game; it's the first step in deciding whether this team will surge back into contention or continue treading water.
