Why the Texas Rangers are incredible this year
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The Rangers took the second spot in Axios' latest Major League Baseball power rankings after spending most of May on the road. Texas also has the second-best record in baseball right now.
Driving the news: The Rangers are back in Arlington tonight for the beginning of a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners.
- Then they face the St. Louis Cardinals at home on Monday.
The big picture: Texas has the best offense in baseball, leading the majors in runs per game.
- Plus: They also have one of the best starting rotations in the league — something highly unfamiliar to longtime Rangers fans.
Amazing stat: Texas' run differential is +131 through 55 games, putting them on pace for +386 — which would be second only to the 1939 Joe DiMaggio-led Yankees (+411) for the best mark in MLB's modern era (since 1900).
By the numbers: The team was 18-9 in May, the Rangers' highest win percentage in a month since June 2016, per MLB.
- They've set a franchise record for the first 55 games of the season with 35 wins.
- Adolis Garcia and Marcus Semien lead the team in runs batted in, with 49 and 44, respectively.
Catch up fast: The team has been great despite some star player absences.
- Still-new ace pitcher Jacob deGrom has been out since late April with elbow inflammation. He likely won't return for a couple more weeks but has thrown some bullpen sessions.
- Shortstop Corey Seager returned mid-May after a monthlong absence due to a hamstring strain.
Yes, but: Even with a .636 record, the Rangers are a few games ahead of the Houston Astros in the surprisingly competitive AL West.
- Four of the five teams in the division have a record over .500.
What's next: The first round of voting is open to pick which players will appear in the All-Star game July 11, the season's midway point.
The bottom line: With the Dallas Stars run over, it's time to start getting excited about another local team.