The 2024 Texas Rangers look to become the first team in nearly a quarter century to repeat as World Series Champions. After years of disappointment, including a tough loss in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, Texas finally broke through in 2023 to win the team’s first championship. No team has won back-to-back championships since the New York Yankees won three in a row from 1998-2000. But the Rangers plan on ending that trend.

Where were they in 2023?

The Texas Rangers were picked to do well in 2023 after they went all in on pitching with the signings of Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob deGrom. Many experts predicted Texas to finish second in the AL West but make the playoffs as a Wild Card. While that’s exactly what happened, it was the how it happened and the aftermath that shocked everyone.

After losing DeGrom for the year, Texas acquired Max Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery during the season. The Rangers had the division lead going into the final day of the season but lost when Houston won giving the Astros the division. Houston made fun of Texas for celebrating just making the playoffs, but Texas made everyone pay in October.

In the playoffs, the Rangers swept the Tampa Bay Rays in the Wild Card round before upsetting Houston in a hard fought, seven-game ALCS. Texas entered the World Series as the favorite against the Arizona Diamondbacks and mostly dominated the NL Champs, winning the World Series in five games.

Key Additions:

David Robertson – Pitching has long been a spot where Texas has struggled. After chasing starting pitchers in 2023, the Rangers looked to shore up their bullpen by signing the veteran reliever who split time between the Mets and Marlins last season. Robertson has proven to be reliable with a career ERA under 3.

Michael Lorenzen – This signing was meant to bolster the back end of the rotation or possibly long relief. Lorenzen started 25 games in 2023 for Detroit and Philadelphia. He went 9-9 with an ERA over 4, but his arm can still come in handy should Texas need an emergency starter or go to the bullpen early in the game.

Avoiding Arbitration

While the Rangers spent the offseason before 2023 signing free agents, they spend the 2024 offseason making sure they kept the players that helped them win a title. The team managed to avoid arbitration with Adolis Garcia, Dane Dunning, Brock Burke, Nathaniel Lowe, Leody Taveras, Jonah Heim and Josh Sborz.

Depth Chart

Opening Day Rotation: Eovaldi, Jon Gray, Dane Dunning, Andrew Heaney, Corey Bradford

Bullpen: José Leclerc, Robertson, Lorenzen, Kirby Yates, Brock Burke, Marc Church, Grant Anderson, Danny Duffy, Jake Latz, Yerry Rodriguez

Pitchers Starting Year on IL: DeGrom, Scherzer, Tyler Mahle, Jonathan Hernandez, Sborz

Lineup: 2B Marcus Semien, OF Evan Carter, DH Wyatt Langford, OF Garcia, C Heim, 3B Josh Jung, 1B Jared Walsh, OF Taveras, SS Ezequiel Duran

Bench: 1B Justin Foscue, C Andrew Knizner, CF Travis Janikowski, SS Matthew Duffy, 3B Josh Smith, CF Jose Barrero, C Sam Huff, RF Derek Hill, 2B Jonathan Ornelas, LF Dustin Harris, C Andrew Knapp

Starters on IL: Lowe, Corey Seager

Where do they plan to go?

As mentioned, the 2024 Texas Rangers are hoping to become the first team since the Yankees to repeat as World Series Champions. While they may have been a projected playoff team in 2023, they exceeded expectations by winning it all. Now, they are hoping to get back and win again, but that feat is easier said than done.

Win Projection: 88-90 Wins

World Series Odds: +1400 (Via FanDuel)

Despite being defending champions, Texas should still be picked to finish behind Houston in the division. Still, the Rangers have proven to be able to win on the road in the playoffs, so they are definitely a threat to repeat.

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