Situational hitting symptom of larger issues for Texas Rangers.
The Texas Rangers have so many issues right now it seems inconsiderate to harp on a particular one. But as they work through this week’s road trip to Houston and Tampa Bay, situational hitting would be a good place to start.
Entering the road trip the Rangers’ offense was No. 26 in the Majors in stranding runners in scoring position at 3.83 runners per game. The Rangers are surrendering nearly four potential runs per game in that regard. Likewise, Rangers hitters are stranding an average of 7.54 runners per game, which is No. 27 in the Majors.
This became a topic of conversation after the Rangers stranded 14 baserunners in a 7-1 loss to Oakland on Sunday. It came on a day in which they caught unbeaten A’s starter Sonny Gray on an inconsistent afternoon, as he surrendered a career-high seven walks. But those openings hardly matter when you manage four hits and strike out 10 times. Hitting a league-low .216 for the first month of the season certainly doesn’t help matters.
But a timely hit here or there would do a lot for this team’s psyche, no doubt.
