The Rangers ended 2025 at 81–81, as symmetrical a season as you’ll find. Not a disaster, not a triumph — just maddeningly average. For a team that hoisted a World Series trophy two years ago, this year was defined by great arms, quiet bats, and a steady stream of injuries.
The Pitching Backbone
The numbers don’t lie: for the first time in franchise history, Texas led all of Major League Baseball in ERA at 3.47. Jacob deGrom finally gave the Rangers what they paid for — 12 wins, a 2.97 ERA, and 185 strikeouts in 172.2 innings. When he pitched, Texas had the look of a contender.
Nathan Eovaldi picked up the torch until his shoulder gave out, posting a ridiculous 1.73 ERA across 130 innings. Tyler Mahle chipped in with a tidy 2.18 ERA in 16 starts before injuries shelved him too. Merrill Kelly, a midseason addition, delivered what was asked: stable, competitive outings down the stretch.
And then there was Jack Leiter. Once written off as another failed No. 2 pick, Leiter put together the season Texas had been waiting for: 29 starts, 151.2 innings, a 10–10 record, 3.86 ERA, and 148 strikeouts. More than anything, he took the ball every fifth day. Not dominant, but no longer a punchline — Leiter went from “bust bin” to “back-end anchor,” one of 2025’s most surprising (and entertaining) plot twists.
The bullpen? Think roulette wheel. Robert Garcia led the club with nine saves, Hoby Milner added 18 holds, but fans never knew if they’d get lights-out relief or a blown save.
The Lineup That Never Clicked
While the arms kept Texas afloat, the bats left too many games gasping for runs. The Rangers hit just .234 as a team with a .684 OPS — bottom-tier production that no pitching staff could fully cover.
Wyatt Langford led the team with 22 homers and posted a team-best .344 OBP, showing flashes of why he’s part of the long-term plan. Adolis García paced the lineup with 75 RBIs, though his .227 average kept him from carrying the offense. Josh Jung hit a modest .251 with 14 homers, while Josh Smith quietly led the team with 124 hits.
The biggest bright spot was Corey Seager — at least when healthy. In 102 games, he hit .271 with 21 homers and a robust .860 OPS, but his season ended early thanks to an appendectomy. Marcus Semien’s year ended on the shelf too, batting just .230 before a foot injury shut him down. Jake Burger, brought in for power, struggled through injuries and hit .236 with 16 home runs.
Altogether, it was a lineup that produced just 175 homers in 162 games — fewer than several teams managed with less payroll. An eight-game losing streak in September, fueled by offensive blackouts, sealed their fate.
Injuries, Adjustments, and Antacids
Texas wasn’t idle. Donnie Ecker was dismissed in May when the offense stalled. Kelly was brought in at the deadline to stabilize the rotation. And when it became clear Seager and Semien were risking long-term damage by playing through pain, management pulled the plug. Credit where it’s due: the front office didn’t sit still, even if the moves weren’t enough.
What the Winter Holds
The offseason questions are obvious: Do the Rangers go hunting for a proven bat, or gamble on Langford, Jung, and Smith taking leaps? Can Seager, Semien, Burger, and Eovaldi actually stay healthy? Does the bullpen finally get a real closer? Twelve players are set for free agency, arbitration cases loom, and the 40-man will need reshuffling.
And then there’s Bruce Bochy. At 70, and with San Francisco firing its skipper this fall, it’s fair to ask how long Bochy wants to keep grinding. For now, he’s still Texas’ skipper, but planning for his eventual exit is unavoidable.
A Perfectly Average Ending
The season ended as it played all year: officially eliminated by Minnesota, then walked off by Cleveland to lock in the .500 mark. No October baseball, no collapse, just flat-line average.
But average isn’t useless. Texas proved it has pitching to build on, found life in Jack Leiter, and showed a front office willing to make midseason pivots. What it hasn’t proved is that its bats can score enough runs to matter, or that its stars can stay on the field.
.500 doesn’t earn parades, but it doesn’t end dynasties either. The 2025 Rangers were arms without bats, stuck between average and elite, and staring down an offseason that will decide which way they go.
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New Update: Bruce Bochy will not return as Texas Rangers manager for the 2026 season, according to a mutual agreement between him and the organization.