The Texas Rangers navigated a challenging homestand successfully, taking four of six games against Los Angeles teams. Their manager, Bruce Bochy, described it as a solid stretch, maintaining their position atop the AL West. The Rangers had a mixed performance, struggling offensively against the Dodgers but showcasing resilience with a sweep of the Angels.

Tyler Mahle emerged as a standout, boasting a league-best 0.68 ERA after seven shutout innings against the Dodgers, marking an impressive start to the season. Meanwhile, Joc Pederson is enduring a historic slump, currently hitting .055, raising concerns about his impact moving forward. Despite the struggles, team morale appears buoyed by Mahle's success and an emerging team culture characterized by lighthearted moments, like the return of the dab celebration.

As the Rangers head to Sacramento to face the Athletics, their performance over recent games provides a mix of optimism and caution. While their pitching remains a strength, the offensive inconsistency could pose challenges ahead.

Week 3 of the 2025 MLB season offers numerous promising starting pitchers available on the waiver wire, ideal for both shallow and deeper leagues. Key players to consider include Jordan Hicks from the San Francisco Giants, who has improved his performance significantly with a robust groundball rate. Martin Perez of the Chicago White Sox continues to show excellent control, while young talents like Mitchell Parker from the Washington Nationals have demonstrated strikeout potential. Max Meyer from the Miami Marlins is also making waves with an impressive ERA.

In deeper leagues, Matthew Boyd of the Chicago Cubs and Hayden Wesneski of the Houston Astros are noteworthy for their recent performances. Meanwhile, Zebby Matthews of the Minnesota Twins is a sleeper pick, rumored to potentially join the roster soon. Tyler Mahle of the Texas Rangers is having a remarkable comeback season, making him a valuable addition as well. Lastly, Andrew Abbott from the Cincinnati Reds provides a solid option after recovering from injury. Consider these pitchers to strengthen your fantasy lineup as the season progresses.

The AL West is taking on a bizarre character this season, with the Texas Rangers leading the charge as the division's best pitching staff thus far. A surprising standout, Tyler Mahle, has emerged with a 3.47 ERA, outperforming expectations and even the traditionally strong rotations of Seattle and Houston. Despite their current record of 9-4, Pythagorean Win calculations suggest the Rangers may be overperforming, raising questions about their long-term potential as they enter a critical stretch against divisional rivals.

Historically, the Rangers have struggled within the division, posting a 54-50 record under Bruce Bochy, mainly due to poor performances against Seattle and Houston. Winning these upcoming matchups is crucial for their postseason ambitions, especially as they aim to build on their World Series run from last year. The offensive struggles continue, with the Rangers averaging just 3.5 runs per game, placing them in a tight race with the rest of the AL West.

Tyler Mahle delivered a solid performance on Wednesday, pitching his longest start in nearly three years while leading the Texas Rangers to a 6-2 victory against the Chicago Cubs. Despite his fastball averaging only 90 mph and a lack of swing-and-misses, Mahle effectively relied on throwing strikes, allowing just two hits and one run in seven innings.

After a rough first outing, Mahle has regained confidence, allowing just one run over his past 12 innings, showcasing his fastball and splitter. Emphasizing trust in his abilities, Mahle noted his strategy to be more aggressive over the plate rather than aiming for strikeouts. His improved command has led to significantly better results, reaffirming his potential as a reliable starter.