Here is a look at the pitchers on the Texas Ranger’s roster for the 2023 World Series:
Cody Bradford (#61)
Regular Season: 4-3, 5.30 earned run average, 51 strikeouts, 1.21 WHIP
Postseason: 1-0, 1.59 ERA, 4 strikeouts, 0.71 WHIP
The Aledo native had an up-and-down regular season, split between the Rangers and the minor leagues with a role that varied from reliever to spot starter. He has found his niche in the bullpen during the postseason, performing well in three appearances.
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Aroldis Chapman (#45)
Regular Season: 6-5, 3.09 ERA, 103 strikeouts, 3 saves, 1.25 WHIP
Postseason: 0-0, 1.42 ERA, 4 strikeouts, 1.42 WHIP
Chapman is a veteran reliever with World Series experience known for his fastball velocity throughout his career. The Rangers acquired him in a trade with the Kansas City Royals midseason. While his numbers have declined, he has settled into a late-inning role and still has the velocity to challenge hitters.
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Dane Dunning (#33)
Regular Season: 12-7, 3.70 ERA, 140 strikeouts, 1.26 WHIP
Postseason: 1-1, 7.71 ERA, 5 strikeouts, 1.93 WHIP
After becoming the odd-man out of the starting pitching rotation at the beginning of the season, Dunning helped stabilize the rotation following Jacob deGrom’s season-ending injury by becoming a reliable starter. He has taken on a bullpen role in the postseason but only made two appearances.
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Nathan Eovaldi (#17)
Regular Season: 12-5, 3.63 ERA, 132 strikeouts, 1.14 WHIP
Postseason: 4-0, 2.42 ERA, 28 strikeouts, 0.96 WHIP
Eovaldi has stepped up and become Texas’ ace without deGrom and has continued his excellent performance in the postseason. Eovaldi has made four starts and won them all, lasting at least six innings each time.
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Jon Gray (#22)
Regular Season: 9-8, 4.12 ERA, 142 strikeouts, 1.29 WHIP
Postseason: 0-0, 9.00 ERA, 1 strikeout, 3.00 WHIP
Gray dealt with injuries this season and returned to the team during the ALCS. He made one appearance in the series, pitching one inning and allowing one earned run in a Game 3 loss. Usually a starter, the depth of the pitching staff has allowed him to move to the bullpen as he continues to get healthy.
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Andrew Heaney (#44)
Regular Season: 10-6, 4.15 ERA, 151 strikeouts, 1.38 WHIP
Postseason: 0-0, 6.75 ERA, 1 strikeout, 1.50 WHIP
Heaney is one of four pitchers to start for the Rangers this postseason but may be relegated to the bullpen with the return of Max Scherzer. He had a good year but can be inconsistent and is prone to allowing big innings.
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Jose Leclerc (#25)
Regular Season:0-2, 2.68 ERA, 4 saves, 67 strikeouts, 1.14
Postseason: 0-1, 4.35 ERA, 3 saves, 10 strikeouts, 1.35 WHIP
The Rangers mostly used Will Smith as their closer in the regular season, but Leclerc has become the go-to guy in the ninth inning during the playoffs. He has appeared 10 times and earned three saves.
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Jordan Montgomery (#52)
Regular Season: 10-11, 3.20 ERA, 166 strikeouts, 1.19 WHIP
Postseason: 3-0, 2.16 ERA, 17 strikeouts, 1.28 WHIP
The Rangers acquired Montgomery in a midseason trade with the St. Louis Cardinals, and he has become a vital part of the pitching rotation. Together, Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi have combined to start eight of Texas’ 12 playoff games, winning seven of them.
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Martin Perez (#54)
Regular Season: 10-4, 4.45 ERA, 93 strikeouts, 1.40 WHIP
Postseason: 0-0, 2.70 ERA, 1 strikeout, 1.50 WHIP
Perez started 20 games for the Rangers in the regular season and can eat up innings from the bullpen. He has made two appearances this postseason and allowed one run.
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Josh Sborz (#66)
Regular Season: 6-7, 5.50 ERA, 66 strikeouts, 1.15 WHIP
Postseason: 0-0, 1.04 ERA, 7 strikeouts, 0.69 WHIP
After a challenging regular season, Sborz has been the most reliable player in the Rangers’ bullpen this postseason, allowing just two hits and one run in eight appearances. The team will likely continue to lean on him in this series.
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Max Scherzer (#31)
Regular Season: 13-6, 3.77 ERA, 174 strikeouts, 1.12 WHIP
Postseason: 0-1, 9.45 ERA, 6 strikeouts, 1.80 WHIP
Acquiring Scherzer at the Trade Deadline gave the Rangers another ace with much playoff experience. The 16-year veteran, three-time Cy Young Award winner, and 2019 World Series champion helped Texas complete its rotation for the second half of the season. While he ultimately missed the last month with an injury, he returned for the ALCS and looks to be a crucial part of the World Series.
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Will Smith (#51)
Regular Season: 2-7, 4.40 ERA, 22 saves,55 strikeouts, 1.06 WHIP
Postseason: 0-0, 9.00 ERA, 2 strikeouts, 2.00 WHIP
Smith is a veteran reliever with multiple 30-save seasons and playoff appearances. His numbers could have been better this season, but he has World Series experience — winning titles each of the previous two seasons.
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Chris Stratton (#35)
Regular Season: 2-1, 3.92 ERA, 1 save, 81 strikeouts, 1.14 WHIP
Postseason: 0-0, 6.75 ERA, 2 strikeouts, 1.50 WHIP
Stratton, also acquired in the Montgomery trade, rounds out the pitching staff. The team acquired him to bolster its bullpen, and he pitched well enough to keep a spot, but he needs to be better in this series.