Rangers pitching experienced a dramatic decline from 2025 to 2026, but there’s one promising stat to build on

The Texas Rangers suffered significant regression on the mound during their 80-82 campaign in 2026, missing the postseason after boasting one of baseball's top pitching staffs in 2025. Texas dropped from first in ERA (3.47) and WHIP (1.18) in 2025 to 22nd in ERA (4.32) and 18th in WHIP (1.30) in 2026. However, writer Jackson Kruse highlights that the pitching staff remained strong at limiting walks, issuing just 497 to rank eighth in MLB.

Kruse points out that the departure of pitching coach Mike Maddux and injuries to key starters Jack Leiter and Nathan Eovaldi hindered the staff. MacKenzie Gore also struggled in his first year with Texas. The analysis suggests that combining their control with swing-and-miss additions could revive the Rangers' pitching in 2027.