Tuesday newsletter time: Nate Lowe picked as AL’s top player last week. He’s having a great August, too

(AP photo/David Zalubowski)

Nate Lowe is in the midst of the best month of his career, and is coming off one of the best weeks of his career.

Last week was so good that it earned him America League Player of the Week. The first baseman led all MLB players with 11 RBIs and was tied for the MLB lead with four home runs and 24 total bases. He also batted .385.

That average is a shade below what he’s done in August (.392). He leads the majors with 40 August hits.

He is a candidate to be the AL Player of the Month, but as things stood entering a Rangers off day Monday, Houston third baseman Alex Bregman had been just a tick better. They both have seven homers, but Bregman had one more RBI (21) and has a higher OPS (1.173 to 1.103).

The Rangers and Astros finish out the month Tuesday and Wednesday at Globe Life Field.

No matter how the monthly voting works out, Lowe has been one of the offense’s bright spots this season. His strong second half has pulled his average to .300 and his OPS to .847. He has a career-high 22 home runs with 35 games remaining.

He needed this kind of season, too. While his first full season in the big leagues in 2021 included more walks, he has been a better hitter all around. The left-handed hitter has been better against left-handed pitchers.

Lowe’s defense hasn’t been good, which might lead to more DH time in the future.

He does have a future with the Rangers.

Josh Jung watch

The hope here was this little segment would have gone away by now, and maybe this will be the final edition.

Josh Jung went 1 for 4 Sunday for Triple A Round Rock, dropping his average to .297. The Express was off Monday, as all minor-league teams are except during some holiday weekends.

My prediction all along was that today would be the day for his MLB debut. It sure would make a lot of sense for the Rangers to do it at home rather than on the road, but general manager Chris Young said he hasn’t give much thought to where Jung opens his career. The Rangers would have had ample time Monday to announce it so that they could have time to pump up ticket sales for the Tuesday and Wednesday.

It’s looking like Astros fans will have to use up those tickets.

Jung is coming soon. Active rosters expand Thursday by two. The Rangers won’t have another home game after Wednesday until Sept. 9.

They play Monday at Houston. If Jung doesn’t debut this week at home or Thursday through Sunday at Fenway Park, Houston might be where it happens.

Student section coming

The Rangers are trying to go younger on the field and in the stands.

Their latest promotion is the Rangers Student Section, which is free for any student enrolled in high school and college to join. Those enrolled will receive exclusive mobile ticket deals for select remaining home games in the outfield pavilion for $9 and parking in Lot N for $10.

Tickets can be accessed 90 minutes before first pitch and will be delivered to the MLB Ballpark app.

Visit texasrangers.com/students to register. Those under 18 will need a parent or legal guardian to do the registering.

The Rangers have 17 home games remaining.

Doggy video!

He’s organized. He’s fast. A master criminal? Well … . Enjoy. See you Wednesday.

So that’s where all my socks are going 😂😂😂 #dog #dogs #DogsOnTwitter #dogsoftwitter #cute #funny #animal #animals pic.twitter.com/eHfUjv9omk

— Animal Circle (@Animal_Circle_) August 24, 2022

Jeff Wilson, jeff@rangerstoday.com