The Texas Rangers continue to lead the AL West by three games, but it’s not a secret that they haven’t been as sharp in the last few weeks.
For example, they are 4-6 in their last 10 games, which is not ideal; but they have been helped by some struggles from their AL West foes.
Despite the iffy form in recent games, the Rangers have been able to continue leading the league in an important pitching stat.
Starter ERA:
3.55 TEX
3.59 TB
3.61 MIN
3.66 HOU
3.78 ATL
3.87 SD
3.91 SEA
3.98 CHC
4.03 TOR
4.04 MIA
4.09 SF
4.17 MIL
4.24 PHI
4.29 CLE
4.3 NYY
4.48 CWS
4.49 PIT
4.54 LAA
4.55 LAD
4.62 WSH
4.62 ARI
4.68 NYM
4.69 BAL
4.74 BOS
4.86 DET
4.89 STL
5.48 KC
5.71 CIN
6.23 OAK
6.55 COL— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) July 5, 2023
According to Codify Baseball, Texas still has the best starter ERA in baseball with a 3.55 mark.
That’s slightly better than the 3.59 ERA that Tampa Bay Rays starters have been able to accumulate.
The most impressive thing about the Rangers starting pitchers leading MLB in ERA is that their best hurler, Jacob deGrom, has made just six starts this year.
Unfortunately, deGrom won’t be able to return this year after it was revealed he will be undergoing Tommy John surgery.
However, four names have been able to keep things afloat: Nathan Eovaldi, Dane Dunning, Jon Gray, and Andrew Heaney.
Three of them (Eovaldi, Gray, and Heaney) are free-agent acquisitions from either last season or this one.
Eovaldi has been the best of them all with a 2.64 ERA in 112.1 frames.
Dunning, however, has been the most surprising with a 2.61 ERA so far.
Heaney and Gray have both been solid, and while Martin Perez (4.81 ERA) is not having his finest performance, he has eaten innings.
All things considered, the Rangers have a solid pitching staff beyond deGrom, and have recently fortified their bullpen by acquiring Aroldis Chapman.
They should be a contender until the very end.
NEXT: All-Star Voting Proves The Rangers Have Turned A Corner