Thursday newsletter time: The 2023 Rangers schedule it out, and it’s different (in a good way)
- (AP photo/Paul Beaty)
For those who are new to my reporting and haven’t seen this in the past, my favorite day of the season is when the next season’s schedule is released.
That day was Wednesday.
The Rangers’ 2023 schedule is out, and it reflects the changes MLB promised were coming — fewer games against division opponents and games against each National League team.
The Rangers will play the other four American League West teams 13 times, down from 19, and will play 46 games against NL foes. The March 30 season opener at Globe Life Field is against Philadelphia, and, oddly, the Rangers have opened a season at home against the Phillies.
Not to conjure up any bad memories, but the miserable 2014 season opened against the Phillies. The Opening Day starter? Tanner Scheppers.
Four of the NL games are against Arizona, who is the “natural” rival again, with two at home and two on the road. The Rangers will go to six other NL cities, including the first road trip of the season April 7-9 at Chicago. Wrigley Field ought to be just lovely that time of year.
The Rangers last played at Wrigley Field in 2016 after the All-Star break. They had a series there in April 2013 in which one game was postponed because of cold, rainy conditions.
The other NL road series are at Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Washington, San Diego, San Francisco and New York.
The Rangers will close out the season with a seven-game road trip to Anaheim and Seattle, with the season-finale Oct. 1.
Game times are to be announced.
New schedule. New format.
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) August 24, 2022
An interesting Wednesday
The Rangers finished a six-game road trip Wednesday that I didn’t take, so I had time to head to Frisco to talk to some ballplayers and coaches who are all great to deal with. It’s always worth the long drive, at least in my case.
And, much to my surprise, outfielder Evan Carter was at Riders Field. Alas, he is not being promoted to Double A Frisco. He was in town to see a doctor about a leg injury last week that happened during a rundown at High A Hickory. All checked out well, and Carter is expected back in Hickory today. Carter, by the way, turns 20 on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Rangers were putting it on Colorado. They scored seven times in the second inning en route to a 16-4 victory at Coors Field. The win secured a winning road trip (4-2) before the Rangers returned home for a five-game homestand against Detroit and Houston.
Nate Lowe hit his 20th homer of the season in the ninth inning to become the fourth Rangers player with 20 homers in 2022. No other team in baseball has that many players with 20 bombs. Lowe drove in a career-high five runs.
Martin Perez, meanwhile, tossed six scoreless innings to win his 10th game of the season. In the process, he dropped his ERA to 2.69 and raised his value for this offseason.
In Albuquerque, third baseman Josh Jung connected for a two-run homer for Triple A Round Rock in a loss to the Isotopes. The Rangers are off today, so the soonest Jung could play for them is Friday. If he doesn’t play tonight, expect the rumors about his MLB debut to swirl.
The Rangers haven’t settled on their rotation past Friday, but don’t be surprised if Triple A left-hander Dallas Keuchel, the former Cy Young winner, gets a look.
ICYMI …
Last week was such a busy week, shockingly busy with so much to write, that it seems as if this one has raced by. Nevertheless, there is plenty to catch up on and more to look forward to this weekend. A new episode of the Rangers Today Baseball Podcast will be recorded later today, but the current episode is still a must-watch or must-listen. Here’s our latest content in case you missed it.
Rangers farm report: Kumar Rocker for the Fall League?
The Sunday Read: Is Tony Beasley the next Rangers manager?
Subscribe to the Rangers Today YouTube channel
Rangers Today Baseball Podcast with interim manager Tony Beasley
Doggy video!
The pup learned this by watching Bo Jackson. Enjoy. See you Friday.
Never give up! 💪 pic.twitter.com/pxyNZKW1Pn
— Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden) August 19, 2022
Please refrain from comparing Bo Jackson to lesser superheroes.
— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) August 23, 2022
Jeff Wilson, jeff@rangerstoday.com
