Another .500 week is in the books for the Texas Rangers, and while the results may feel familiar, there are signs of life—and reasons for concern—as we wrap up Week Seven of the 2026 season.
The Rangers went 3-3 this week, splitting time between New York and Arlington. After dropping two of three to the Yankees (including a rough 7-4 loss in Game 35 and a 9-2 defeat in Game 37), Texas bounced back with a 6-1 win in Game 36. Then came a home series against the Chicago Cubs, where the Rangers showed flashes of brilliance. They lost Game 38 7-1, but responded with back-to-back shutouts: a 6-0 victory in Game 39 and a 3-0 win in Game 40. That’s 20 innings (and counting) of scoreless baseball—exactly the kind of pitching momentum this team needs.
On offense, the bats finally came alive with runners in scoring position, a welcome sight for a lineup that has struggled to string together consistent rallies. If this trend continues, the Rangers could be on the verge of a strong run.
But let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Corey Seager. As both the broadcast and many fans have noted over the past few seasons, when Seager heats up, the entire lineup follows. Right now, though, he’s ice cold. His funk has been hard to watch, with most plate appearances leaving him looking lost at the dish.
A startling stat from Sunday’s seventh inning: Seager’s whiff rate has jumped from 27.9% last season to 35.9% this year—well above the league average of 25.3%. If it feels like he’s swinging and missing more than ever, you’re not wrong. It’s especially frustrating given that Texas had the lowest chase rate in Spring Training.
The silver lining? Josh Jung and Ezequiel Duran have both found their groove at the plate, emerging as the most reliable and consistent bats in the lineup. Their production is a bright spot in an otherwise uneven start.
Next up, the Rangers face the Arizona Diamondbacks. Maybe facing their 2023 World Series opponents will rekindle some of that championship magic. Here’s hoping the team can turn the corner and build on those shutout innings.