Ranger stocks have been flat this week. An expected surge in the market, due to an ease of the obstacles on the schedule, hasn’t quite materialized. There is still time, though, for a weekend and post-Memorial Day rally that could put the Rangers in the black for the year. Here’s a look at what’s moving, what’s shaking and what’s too unpredictable at the moment:
Foscue Rakes, Inc.: What a week it was for this niche play. Long considered an underachiever as a first-round pick, Justin Foscue has responded in a big way to everyday at-bats while Corey Seager is out and Ezequiel Duran is over at shortstop. In the Colorado series, he went 7 for 12 with four extra-base hits to raise his OPS to .939. Granted he’s had less than 50 at-bats, but Foscue knows his route to sticking in the big leagues is “to rake” at the plate. If your OPS starts with a “9,” you are definitely raking, no matter how small the sample size. And, plus side: If he does cool off, maybe the Rockies would like to have him. He certainly seemed to thrive in the Mile High air.
Opening bells: For the second time in a week, the Rangers had to use an opener and Tyler Alexander responded nicely in the role, but really the story is Kumar Rocker. Afforded the ability to avoid early lefties and spotted a big early lead, Rocker rolled to a career-best 7 2/3 scoreless innings. It was his best start, even though it wasn’t a start. Might the Rangers try to make this a regular thing? Well, it’s certainly worth a try.
Smash-Burger: Hot Jake Burger has returned. In his last eight games, he’s 13 for 29 (.448) with three homers and a pair of doubles. An interesting twist here: He’s walked (five times) almost as often as he’s struck out (six). That’s a real difference for Burger, who entered the season with a career 5.2-to-1 strikeout-to-walk rate. For this season, it’s at 4.5-to-1. An improvement. Still work to do. But if he can work some walks occasionally during the cold stretches, it gives him a way to contribute.
Insurance rates: Adds to the high cost of doing business. But it was a busy week for the claims department with Seager heading to the IL and Josh Smith heading to the hospital with viral meningitis. Fortunately, Smith got out of the hospital within a week and was on the road to recovery and the Rangers don’t believe Seager’s back spasms were related to anything more structurally significant. He is expected back when the Rangers return home.
Carter Index: How long ago that magical September 2023 run now seems. Since the start of 2024, Evan Carter has now played effectively a full season’s worth of games. His slash line is, well, it’s not good: .205/.300/.355/.655. Against lefties: He’s 6 for 87 (.079). His defense has been great, but his offense this year, despite sitting against lefties, is, well, simply unlistable. It’s getting worrisome.
Travel impact: Wow, those gas prices are crazy, right? But it’s going to be even more costly if the Rangers can’t win at least two of three this weekend in Anaheim against the team with baseball’s worst record. The Rangers are playing each of their nine games on this trip against the three worst records in baseball. Thus far: A 3-3 record. They’ve held their own, so to speak, but this road trip was supposed to present an opportunity. Win two of three in Anaheim, they return home with a .500 record. Sweep the Angels and they have a winning record again. On the other hand, if they don’t, it’s a golden opportunity lost and there won’t be many more like that before the trade deadline is upon us.