A casual fan's guide to spring training
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You can still keep up with the Rangers, even if you can't travel to Surprise, Arizona, for this view. Photo: Tasha "Surprised" Tsiaperas/Axios
The Texas Rangers have a little more than three weeks to prepare for their Opening Day game against the Chicago Cubs.
The big picture: The Rangers enter the regular season as the reigning World Champions.
- In the second week of spring training, the Rangers are fifth in the Cactus League — the teams that play in Arizona — with a 6-4 record after yesterday's loss to the Angels.
State of play: The Rangers have looked good in a few tough games, including in the World Series rematch against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- They pulled off a win last week against the Los Angeles Dodgers after going scoreless for two innings while Japanese pitching star Yoshinobu Yamamoto was on the mound.
Storylines to watch: The infield and outfield roster will likely look the same as during the World Series games, but a few players are missing training because of injuries.
- Shortstop Corey Seager may return in time for Opening Day after undergoing surgery for a sports hernia. Third baseman Josh Jung may be back after a calf strain.
- And, outfielder and postseason hero Adolis García ended the season injured and has yet to make an appearance this year, but manager Bruce Bochy insists he's OK. García enters the season with the certainty of a contract.
- Wyatt Langford, one of the Rangers' top prospects, had a slow start but turned that around in recent days, hitting three homers in two games. That may land him on the Opening Day roster.
How to watch: Rangers games will still be broadcast on Bally Sports Southwest, after parent company Diamond Sports Group reached a deal with the team last month.
What's next: The Rangers play the Diamondbacks again Thursday. This time, Arizona will have Elvis Andrus, a former fan favorite in Texas.
- The Rangers play the Angels again Monday, giving fans a glimpse of how their division rivals will fare with former Texas manager Ron Washington.
The bottom line: Though some of the biggest stars haven't played during spring training, the rookies have looked solid.
- Plus, new additions like Andrew Knizner and prospects like Justin Foscue have shown they're ready to fill in whenever needed.