SAD NEWS – Houston Sweep All but Ends Season for the “Little Rascals”
HOUSTON — The math says the Rangers still have a sliver of life. The reality is far harsher. After being swept in Houston, Texas sits with a mere 3 percent chance of making the postseason, according to FanGraphs, and the vibe inside the clubhouse reflected a team coming to terms with a disappointing ending.
The Rangers’ 2024 campaign was a study in extremes. A late-season surge from a group of energetic call-ups—affectionately dubbed the “Little Rascals”—breathed life into a stagnant year and briefly had fans daring to dream. But a season-long inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities and a rash of injuries ultimately proved too much to overcome.
“We fought,” manager Bruce Bochy said quietly after Sunday’s 6–2 loss, which sealed the Astros’ sweep. “The guys never quit. But when you don’t take advantage of chances to score, and when you lose key arms, it’s hard to stay afloat.”
The offense tells the story. Texas finished the series having stranded 26 runners on base and went just 3-for-28 with runners in scoring position. Over the full season, they rank near the bottom of the American League in clutch hitting despite a respectable overall on-base percentage.
“It’s frustrating,” outfielder Evan Carter said. “We’d get guys on, and then… nothing. We know we’re capable of more.”
The injuries compounded the struggle. Ace Nathan Eovaldi—“the heart of the staff,” as Bochy called him—missed critical weeks with forearm tightness, forcing the bullpen into heavy, unsustainable workloads. While the pitching staff remained resilient, posting a top-five ERA in the AL, the lack of offensive support wore them down.
“We did everything we could,” said reliever José Leclerc. “But you can only keep games close for so long when runs don’t come.”
General manager Chris Young now faces a crucial offseason. Questions surround the lineup’s construction and the health of key veterans. Will the Rangers pursue a middle-of-the-order bat to balance their offense? How aggressively will they reinforce the rotation behind Eovaldi?
“There’s work to do,” Young admitted in a radio interview Monday morning. “This team has talent and heart, but we need to evaluate how to get back to the standard we set last year.”
Despite the disappointment, there were bright spots. Rookies like Wyatt Langford and Justin Foscue flashed potential, while the “Little Rascals” run in September showed the franchise’s depth and resilience. Fans at Globe Life Field responded with energy rarely seen in a losing season, hopeful that a new core is emerging.
“This isn’t the ending we wanted,” Carter said. “But we learned a lot about who we are. That’s going to matter next year.”
As the final week of the season approaches, the Rangers will play out the string with pride but an eye toward 2025. The sweep in Houston might have effectively ended their playoff hopes, yet it also highlighted where the organization must improve if it wants to reclaim October relevance.
For now, the “Little Rascals” will be remembered for a late push that provided a glimpse of the future—even if the present fell short.
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