Locked on Rangers Podcast: Breakout Year for Nathaniel Lowe, Pillow Deal for Jordan Montgomery

"Locked on Rangers" host Brice Paterik discusses if Nathaniel Lowe is due for a breakout season and how the first baseman can improve, plus should Jordan Montgomery accept a pillow deal.

On Friday's edition of the Locked on Rangers podcast:

• Breakout year for Nathaniel Lowe?
• Why his bat slumped last season
• Would Jordan Montgomery return on a shorter deal?

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On Thursday's edition of the Locked on Rangers podcast:

• Why Jonah Heim is crucial to Texas' success
• Why Heim is one of MLB's most undervalued players
• 3 bullets the Rangers dodged to win the World Series

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On Wednesday's edition of the Locked on Rangers podcast:

• Adolis Garcia predicting a repeat
• Importance of Ezequiel Duran and Josh Smith
• Bruce Bochy not naming a closer yet.

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On Tuesday's edition of the Locked on Rangers podcast:

• Josh Jung injured
• Exciting prospects
• Different spring training feel

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On Friday's edition of the Locked on Rangers podcast:

• Opening Day roster projection
• Who are locks to make the club
• What will the bullpen look like

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On Thursday's edition of the "Locked on Rangers podcast:

• 5 spring training questions
• Will Wyatt Langford be ready?
• Which relievers will step up?
  

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Best Lineup in AL, Yankees Team to Beat, Rotation Health

On Wednesday's episode of the "Locked on Rangers" podcast:

• Who has the American League's best lineup?
• Should the New York Yankees be the favorites in the AL?
• Which unhealthy rotation with me healthier?

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Garcia Extension, Avoiding Arbitration

On Friday's episode of the "Locked on Rangers" podcast:

• Adolis Garcia's contract extension
• The importance of avoiding an arbitration hearing
• 5 Rangers who will be better this season

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Wins Projection, Low Expectations Best for Fans

Thursday's episode of "Locked on Rangers" includes: 

• Fangraphs projecting the Rangers for 81.4 wins
• Why Texas will exceed that win total easily
• Why low expectations give fans the best of both worlds

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Improvement in 2023, Bruce Bochy Impact and More

The Texas Rangers made a massive 22-win improvement in 2023 from the season before, breaking their seven-year long playoff drought en route to the franchise's first ever World Series championship. Tuesday's "Locked On Rangers" episode breaks down five of the biggest reasons for Texas' improvement. 

Bruce Bochy's impact played a huge role in the quick turnaround from 94 losses to 90 wins. The confidence instilled by a manager with three rings is difficult to quantify, but players spouted Bochy's praises all season long. Having a manager with 25 previous seasons at the helm gave Texas a boost.

Defensive improvements from Corey Seager and Nathaniel Lowe helped Texas take a massive step forward in 2023 as well. Lowe went from one of the worst defenders in MLB, according to the outs above average metric in 2022, to winning a gold glove in 2023. 

One of the Rangers' biggest weaknesses in 2022 was the starting rotation. From the end of the 2022 season to the trade deadline Texas acquired seven starting pitchers: Martin Perez, Jake Odorizzi, Jacob deGrom, Andrew Heaney, Nathan Eovaldi, Max Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery.

Seager's improvements didn't just come on the defensive side. Texas' star shortstop had one of the worst offensive seasons of his career by batting average and OPS in 2022. He followed it up by setting career-highs in those two categories and finished second in AL MVP voting to Shohei Ohtani.

The veteran star wasn't the only hitter who improved in 2023. Texas' farm system provided reinforcements and depth to the lineup last season, with All-Star third baseman Josh Jung, and big contributions from Ezequiel Duran and Leody Taveras.

Though the Rangers might not improve another 22 wins from 2023 to 2024, the changes that led them to break out look likely to stick.

Locked On Rangers (@LockedOnRangers) is the premier Texas Rangers podcast and is hosted by Brice Paterik (@BricePaterik).

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