Thursday newsletter time: Rangers lose to Astros, but there was bigger news Wednesday

Jeff Wilson September 8, 2022

(AP photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Josh Jung is coming to the major leagues Friday. The Rangers haven’t made it official official, though they are making him available to the media Thursday at Globe Life Field.

So, it must be true.

It will be interesting to see if his MLB debut creates a bump in ticket sales. It should, but it’s football season and Friday Night Lights can rule the roost around these parts.

And the Rangers aren’t exactly in contention, either.

But they were competitive the past three nights at Minute Maid Park despite losing twice in three games to Houston, including a 4-3 loss Wednesday in 10 innings that was decided on a wild pitch by Jonathan Hernandez after an intentional walk had pushed the winning run to third base.

The Rangers failed to score in their half of the 10th, something that has bitten them multiple times on the road this season.

All three games in the series were decided by one run, leaving the Rangers with an 11-30 mark on the season in one-run games. They are 5-6 in them since manager Chris Woodward was fired Aug. 15.

Cole Ragans returned from the injured list and worked three scoreless innings. The Rangers led 3-0 before Houston scored one in the fourth off Brett Martin and two in the sixth on a Kyle Tucker two-run homer off John King.

The good news is the Rangers don’t play the Astros again this season. Houston won the season series 14-5.

The best news Wednesday is Jung will be the starting third baseman Friday night.

The big 2-4

The off day today falls on Leody Taveras’ 24th birthday. His wife and kids are with him this season and he’s doing well in the big leagues for the first time, so it should be a good celebration.

Maybe fellow 24-year-old Sam Huff can stop by for the party. Maybe another 24-year-old, Jung, will make it after his media obligations.

Or Bubba Thompson. Or Ragans.

For all the griping about the Rangers not going young this month, including from me, they’re pretty young. Ezequiel Duran is the youngest at 23. There are three 26-year-olds, and 21 of the 26 players on the active roster are younger than 30.

The Rangers have always been young in terms of experience, but those 20-somethings who have been in the majors this season are becoming better seasoned.

That should bode well for future seasons. Let’s check in this time next year.

ICYMI …

Coming off a holiday weekend and hopping into a short work week, things have a tendency to get away from all of us. I’m guilty of that, and it took the jury only two minutes to deliberate. This is a no judgment zone, so no problem if you haven’t been able to keep up with the Rangers. Rangers Today has been doing it for you, and here’s our latest in case you missed it.

The Sunday Read: What in the wide, wide world?

Friday on the Farm: Zavala the Great

Sam Huff is back

Texas Rangers Baseball Podcast: Catching up with Chris Young

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