With elite arms Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob deGrom not at 100 percent, the Texas Rangers must find pitching stability to survive a late-season collapse.
The Texas Rangers entered last week with what appeared to be an ideal opportunity to strengthen their position in the American League West and American League Wild Card races.
With games against the Los Angeles Angels and Athletics on the schedule, Texas had a favorable path to climb in the standings.
Instead, virtually everything went in the opposite direction.
An offense that provided little resistance, mounting injuries and a pitching staff that failed to perform at the necessary level contributed to four consecutive losses. And defeats in five of the six games last week.
What initially appeared to be a gift on the schedule instead became an almost unimaginable stretch at the worst possible point of the season.
Eovaldi and deGrom must step up
The offensive problems deserve plenty of attention, but Texas has an even bigger concern.
The Rangers are unlikely to go anywhere without healthy versions of Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob deGrom leading their rotation.
Eovaldi is currently on the 15-day Injured List because of right posterior elbow inflammation, while deGrom is dealing with right triceps fatigue.
Neither veteran has produced the type of dominant season Rangers fans have grown accustomed to seeing, but their importance goes well beyond individual results.
Eovaldi is 10-9 with a 4.21 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 132.2 innings over 22 starts this season while deGrom is 8-8 with a 3.95 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 147 strikeouts in 120.2 innings across 23 starts.
Eovaldi and deGrom are the leaders of the Texas pitching staff.
Jack Leiter is working his way back from a right ankle injury. And that further complicates a rotation that simply does not possess enough depth to comfortably withstand the simultaneous absence of Eovaldi and deGrom.
Texas has therefore encountered one of its most difficult stretches at perhaps the least likely and least convenient moment.
Eovaldi and deGrom’s importance
If the Rangers genuinely believe they can make a postseason push, they need to begin performing like a team capable of playing meaningful baseball in October.
That makes the health and leadership of Eovaldi and deGrom particularly important.
Both pitchers bring the presence expected from established veterans at the front of a rotation. They understand how to handle difficult innings, manage the emotional swings of a long season and maintain their preparation when circumstances become challenging.
Their experience also matters for a pitching staff dealing with instability. Younger pitchers can provide important innings, but asking them to replace the responsibilities normally carried by established starters creates an entirely different challenge.
Eovaldi brings a competitive approach and willingness to attack hitters that can set the tone for the pitchers behind him. deGrom offers a similar presence through his preparation, command and ability to challenge opposing lineups.
Neither needs to carry Texas alone.
The Rangers need them healthy enough to provide stability, take regular turns in the rotation and prevent the pitching staff from becoming stretched beyond its capabilities.
If the Rangers are going to remain alive in the postseason race, getting their rotation leaders healthy could determine whether their October ambitions survive. This week is off to a solid start. They must keep it up.
