3 Observations from the Rangers Opening Day Game
By Jack Gurley
2. The Offense is Ready to Roll
To say the Rangers' offense was good last season would be an understatement. To say they were great may even be an understatement as well. They led the AL in almost every offensive stat imaginable, including having the highest batting averages and having the most runs scored throughout the season. Their offensive production was practically unmatched, allowing them to coast through the first two rounds of playoffs without losing a game and later win their first World Series in franchise history.
With the addition of Wyatt Langford and rookie Evan Carter getting a full offseason under his belt fans were hoping that the Rangers offense would be even better then they were last year. After their first game fans may got just what they asked for: a rejuvenated offense looking to do some more damage throughout the league this season.
Even though the Rangers were only able to put up four runs last night, which is somewhat low for a team that averaged nearly six a game last season, the offense looked right on point. The Rangers offense hit the ball out of the park twice Thursday, first with Adolis Garcia starting off his season right where he left off last year, hitting a massive 407-foot bomb out over the left field wall to tie the game up in the bottom of the sixth. Then the Rangers' unlikely hero Travis Jankowski tied the game up for the Rangers in the bottom of the 9th when he was able to power one over the right-center wall when he entered the game in the bottom of the ninth as a pinch hitter, taking Ezequiel Duran's spot in the order.
Even if the Rangers did not put up as many runs as fans have grown accustomed to, the offense was able to step up when it mattered most, which is what made it so good last season. The Rangers defined clutch several times through the regular season and postseason, and it looks like they haven't lost that ability this season. Between the two clutch homers and Jonah Heims's walk-off base hit, it seems like the Rangers batters are doing just what they did last season, stepping up right when they are needed the most.