Former Rangers pitcher Mike Bacsik sees Rangers challenging AL West if Jacob deGrom stays healthy
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Former Rangers pitcher Mike Bacsik sees Rangers challenging AL West if Jacob deGrom stays healthy originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The Texas Rangers enter 2026 with both optimism and uncertainty.
A new era begins in the dugout following the departure of longtime manager Bruce Bochy. The organization has handed the reins to Skip Schumaker. While the leadership change marks a transition, the roster still features the kind of talent capable of competing in a deep American League West.
Across the division the preseason favorite remains the Seattle Mariners, who captured the division title last season. But former major league pitcher and Rangers television analyst Mike Bacsik believes the race may not be as settled as some assume.
“I’m not sure how wide open the division is. Seattle is the clear favorite. It doesn’t mean Seattle will win the division easily but they have the best team on paper and won the division last year with approximately a week left. It didn’t go down to the wire with Houston. I don’t see a bad team in the division this year. I would be shocked if the Angels or A’s win the division but I believe both teams can play .500 baseball this year. The Rangers and Astros can realistically upset the Mariners in 2026,” Bacsik told Sporting News.
The former pitcher also believes Schumaker’s familiarity with the organization could help smooth the transition following Bochy’s tenure.
Before taking over as manager Schumaker spent last season working in the Rangers front office, allowing him to learn the roster and culture from within.
“Skip has a major advantage on most new managers this year. He was with the Rangers last year in the front office. He got to know this team and organization last year. He understands the strengths and weaknesses better than most incoming managers. So far it’s been great. It’s usually always great until you lose. Point being, every team is going to lose 50 or more games. Adversity will happen. Halfway through Spring training, I bet it’s great for all 30 team’s managers and front office, including new managers…I believe Skip will be one of the best managers in baseball over the next decade. He proved a lot in Miami, and will prove in Texas why he’s one of the best leaders of young men,” Bacsik said.
Even with optimism surrounding the managerial change the Rangers ceiling may ultimately come down to the health of their ace.
When healthy Jacob deGrom remains one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. Injuries have limited his availability in recent seasons, but Bacsik believes a full season from the two time Cy Young winner could dramatically influence Texas’ outlook.
Asked by Sporting News to complete the sentence If Jacob deGrom once again makes 30 starts this season the Rangers will Bacsik delivered a confident answer.
“Win 20 or more of those 30 starts.”
If that prediction proves accurate the Rangers may not simply stay competitive in the AL West.
They could emerge as one of the division’s biggest challengers.
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