Texas Rangers Morning Rundown: Bruce Bochy's words hit home as Rangers win wild opener vs. Blue Jays

The manager will be evaluating more than just results on the field as the Texas Rangers play out the rest of the schedule.

ARLINGTON — Asked during his Tuesday pregame media availability how the Texas Rangers will approach the final two weeks of the season, manager Bruce Bochy didn’t talk about wins or losses.

He discussed the responsibility the Rangers have to finish the season without any let-up. It’s a duty all non-contenders have to protect the integrity of playoff races and the game itself.

Bochy, a four-time World Series winner and a 23-time non-World Series winner, takes that seriously, and he expects his players to do the same.

“We all have, as I’ve said before, a responsibility that we play hard, play well, and that’s what we plan on trying to do here,” Bochy said. “It’s been a frustrating year,
but nothing changes as far as how you should play the game. That’s play it right, play it hard.”

So, what did they do in the first game of their final homestand? Well, they played hard, and they played well enough in a 13-8 victory over the Blue Jays.

The two hitters who have struggled the most this season, Adolis Garcia and Jonah Heim, delivered critical two-run hits, and the Rangers managed to outscore Toronto on a night when Nathan Eovaldi wasn’t very good.

Wyatt Langford had the biggest night at the plate, going 3 for 4 with a home run, two doubles and three runs, but Leody Taveras was right behind him with a 3-for-5 game with a two-run homer.

Yet, the Rangers’ offense was opportunistic. They scored five unearned runs in the fourth to take a 7-3 lead, only to see Toronto score four in the fifth against Eovaldi. He allowed seven runs on 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings.

“It’s frustrating at the end of the day,” Eovaldi said. “The offense bailed me out, and I let them back in the game. I can’t let that happen.”

Matt Festa, who is still pre-arbitration eligible next season, tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Unless the Rangers need his 40-man roster spot in the offseason, he should be with the team in spring training.

Scheduling snafu

The Blue Jays have a decorated history, two World Series titles and, usually, a passionate fan base. Even as they try to get to the finish line this season, they still have players fans should want to see.

But Rangers fans shouldn’t see them in September.

The final month of the season should be for division foes only, or as often as possible. Let the division title be settled among division teams, which would add drama and fill seats at a time when attendance can lag.

MLB did the Rangers right this season as 12 of their final 15 games are against American League West opponents. They haven’t played the Astros since early August, and that’s another flaw in the scheduling.

The Astros thing gets corrected in 2025, but they are the Rangers’ only September division foe. The Rangers’ final nine games and 15 of the last 18 are against the Brewers, Mets, Marlins, Twins and Guardians.

This isn’t just a Rangers problem. It’s across baseball.

With 15 teams in each league, at least one interleague series required to ensure that all teams have a game on the final day of the season. With five teams in each division, one team is going to be left to play out of the division. Fine.

Scheduling is never perfect and isn’t easy to do, with considerations given to days off and easing travel for players. But it can’t be this hard, and arranging more September division games seems like something ownership and the players’ union can agree upon.

Frisco drops opener

The D0uble A regular season ended Sunday, but the Frisco RoughRiders still have baseball to play. Their next game, though, is a must-win.

They dropped the opener of the best-of-3 Texas League semifinals 2-0 at Midland despite 12 strikeouts in six innings from starter Winston Santos. Frisco managed only two hits.

Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday at Riders Field, and Frisco would host Game 3 on Friday if necessary.

Though Frisco didn’t have a roster filled with top prospects, like last season, the RoughRiders produced the winningest regular season in franchise history. Behind the success were two players recognized Tuesday by the Rangers.

Outfielder Alejandro Osuna was selected as the Rangers Minor League Player of the Year, and infielder Cody Freeman was selected as the Defender of the Year. Both were candidates for each other’s award after strong all-around play in 2024.

Right-hander Alejandro Rosario was tabbed as the Pitcher of the Year after dazzling at both Class A levels, and left-hander Bryan Magdaleno won Reliever of the Year after pitching at three levels and not allowing a run in his final 17 appearances.

Doggy video!

The ceremony really is the quietest part of the day. Enjoy.

Jeff Wilson, jwilson@alldlls.com