Derek Holland Remains Bullish Texas Rangers

Even with Jacob deGrom being out for the season, losses in five of last six games, fan favorite Derek Holland hasn't lost faith in his former club.

Jun 5, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) and first baseman Nathaniel Lowe (30) and center fielder Leody Taveras (3) and left fielder Ezequiel Duran (20) and shortstop Josh Smith (47) celebrate after the game between the Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Former Texas Rangers pitcher Derek Holland is still bullish on the team’s chances of making the postseason despite losing Jacob deGrom for the season.

In fact, he even had a prediction for where the Rangers would end up by season’s end.

“I still got them winning, probably, I would say between 88 to 94 games,” Holland said during an appearance of 105.3 The Fan recently.

Holland is preparing to have Tommy John surgery on his left arm, which will be performed by the Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Meister. Holland injured the arm while making attempting a comeback with an independent team earlier this month.

The Rangers (41-25) are in the midst of a mini-slump by this season’s standards. With Tuesday’s 7-3 loss against the Los Angeles Angels, Texas has lost five of its last six games.

So much has gone right for the Rangers this season, Holland acknowledged. But he did caution that it’s a long season and, in baseball, downturns do happen.

“Yes, they will go through a tough break,” Holland said. “The question is when and on top of that, is what they do when it happens.”

In Holland’s estimation, it’s better that those trying times happen earlier in the season rather than later.

In fact, he has his own experience with it.

“I know people hate me saying this,” Holland said. “Look at what the (St. Louis Cardinals) did when they came in played us in the World Series. Look at what the (San Francisco Giants) did. Both those teams were red hot, got the Wild Card spot and won the World Series.”

Both at the Rangers’ expense, of course. And there’s another common denominator when it comes down to navigating those tough breaks.

Bruce Bochy. He managed the Giants team in the 2010 World Series against Texas. He also managed Holland in San Francisco.

“Once it does get cold, they're going to quickly get out of that cold streak,” Holland said. “Bochy is not going to let that stick around.”

The Rangers have lost the first two games of the Angels series going into Wednesday night. Andrew Heaney (4-4, 4.14) starts for Texas, with Reid Detmers (1-5, 4.79) going for Los Angeles. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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