Injuries and uncharacteristic slumps silenced Corey Seager’s bat, leaving the Texas Ragers without a division title as the offense faltered during critical stretches.
The Texas Rangers’ failure to reach the postseason this year is particularly difficult to excuse because the Houston Astros won the American League West with an 81-81 record.
Texas finished 80-82, one game behind Houston, and missed October baseball for a third consecutive season following its 2023 World Series win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The final day presented one last opportunity. The Rangers needed to defeat the Minnesota Twins and have the Astros lose to the Athletics because Houston owned the season-series tiebreaker.
Instead, Texas lost 6-4 on Sunday, while Houston won 9-0. The Rangers finished 35-46 on the road and 51-53 against teams with losing records. Those failures were collective, but several expected difference-makers left significant gaps.
Corey Seager’s disappointing season
No Texas hitter carried a greater responsibility than Corey Seager.
Seager recorded an .860 OPS during the 2025 season despite appearing in only 102 games, giving the Rangers reason to expect their lineup’s centerpiece to lead the offense again.
Instead, he hit .227 with a .736 OPS in only 102 games this season. Seager contributed 20 home runs and 51 RBIs, but that power did not compensate for the decline in his overall production.
His three Injured List stints were important because they repeatedly removed his bat from the lineup. His back trouble and concussion also provide necessary context for his difficult season and are not reasons to question his effort.
However, Seager still performed below his previous standard when available. His career-worst 0-for-27 skid in May demonstrated the severity of his struggles. He then went 4-for-30 (.133) with two home runs and four RBIs over his last seven games.
Seager delivered a two-run home run in the ninth inning Sunday, providing Texas with one final jolt. However, it came too late to erase the previous five months when the Rangers needed more from their most prominent hitter.
Texas scored 673 runs (25th in MLB), while its highest-profile offensive player finished well below his established level.
The problems extended beyond Seager and included other injuries and roster decisions. First-year manager Skip Schumaker acknowledged that he could not correct the Rangers’ struggles on the road or against teams with losing records.
Nevertheless, Texas had a realistic path to October in a division won by a .500 team. Seager possessed the ability to make that path easier, but the team’s collective shortcomings ultimately left the Rangers outside the postseason.
Seager’s upside for Rangers
Seager’s talent remains unquestioned despite his disappointing season. He brings a calm presence, a powerful swing and the ability to change a game without becoming overwhelmed by the moment.
His experience as a two-time World Series MVP gives him credibility inside the clubhouse. Seager understands the preparation and discipline required to perform under pressure.
He also has the mental strength to withstand prolonged struggles without abandoning his approach. Texas still needs his leadership, composure and offensive influence, accompanied by the consistent production expected from the centerpiece of their lineup.
