It can be easy to overlook the recent success of the Texas Rangers. In 5 of the past 7 years, the Rangers have made the playoffs; four of those times they won the AL West. However, Texas hasn't advanced in the playoffs since 2011. And the Blue Jays have knocked them out of consecutive ALDS appearances.
What will it require to make a deep playoff run again? With Opening Day 1 day away (hallelujah!), here are my five vital Rangers most responsible for postseason success, in reverse order:
5. Nomar Mazara, OF, 21
Such is life in the modern-day MLB: Your season largely depends on the performances of dudes who are barely of drinking age. Don't get me wrong, this is a good development for the product, as it rightfully targets a younger generation. In his rookie season, Mazara swatted 20 homers and batted a respectable .266. He's vital because his success makes the lineup deep and feared. Mazara will likely bat seventh, so there won't be tons of pressure placed on him internally. On this blog, sorry Nomar, but we're counting on ya, bro. Remember the 2011 Rangers playoff batting order? Kinsler-Andrus-Hamilton-Young-Beltre-Cruz-Murphy-Napoli-Moreland. Ridiculous. This year isn't as deep, but if Mazara produces something along the lines of 25 homers, 85 RBI and a .275 batting average, it would make the lineup worthy of a deep playoff run.
4. Sam Dyson, CL, 28
If Dyson nails down the ninth, the possibility to have a lockdown bullpen is strong. Matt Bush, with closer stuff, could take the eighth. Then you'd have Jeremy Jeffress (a former closer), Tony Barnette and Keone Kela. That's five above-average bullpen arms. Dyson was shaky at times last year, despite his solid line (38 saves, 2.43 ERA, 55/23 K/BB ratio). Texas' lack of left-handed relievers (Jake Diekman on DL) will place added emphasis on the effectiveness of the righties. Dyson will face a fair share of lefties and righties and he's going to have to get them out for Texas to make a deep playoff run.
3. Jonathan Lucroy, C, 30
Not only will Lucroy bat in the middle of the lineup (likely sixth), but he'll play an integral role in the success and maturation of the pitching staff. Lucroy is known as one of the best pitch-framers in baseball, and he hasn't had a full season with Texas yet. That should only help. He's a free agent after this year, so there's no telling how much longer he'll be in a Rangers uniform. He'll impact so many areas that he has to be top 3 on this list for me.
2. Adrian Beltre, 3B, 37
Look at how the Rangers lineup will look on Opening Day without Beltre, who was placed on the 10-day DL with a calf injury. Undoubtedly the middle of the lineup is not as powerful. One of these days Adrian Beltre will retire and be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. For now, he's the most important position player on the team because of his (somehow still) elite defense and power bat. Consider Beltre's wins-above-replacement (WAR) numbers in his time in Texas:
2011 (age 32): 5.8
2012 (33): 7.2
2013 (34): 5.6
2014 (35): 7.0
2015 (36): 5.8
2016 (37): 6.5
That is absurd. Dudes over 32 don't have WARs like that, but Beltre is like a fine wine in Arlington. Thankfully the calf injury isn't serious and he should only miss a week or two. No reason to push, as it's a 162-game marathon. We don't make a deep playoff run without AB in the lineup.
1. Yu Darvish, SP, 30
A no-brainer to me. Toronto swept Texas last year in the ALDS because Darvish and Cole Hamels pitched like No. 3-4 starters, not like top-of-rotation stalwarts they are. Hamels, at 33 years of age, is no longer an ace. He's a fine No. 2 starter. But this is now Yu's staff, as he'll rightfully get the ball on Opening Day. He should be in the prime of his career and it's time for him to take this team past the first round of the playoffs. Oddly, Yu has pitched in only two playoff games for Texas. With a deep run in the playoffs, Darvish could be remembered as one of the greatest Rangers pitchers of all-time. Like Lucroy, he's in the final season of his contract, and it pains me to say this, but I'm not sure he will be worth the money he will likely demand. This has to be the Year of the Yu for a deep Texas playoff run.
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