As Texas Rangers open World Series title defense for 2024, Tobin McDuff looks back on 2023 season

ARLINGTON (KFDX/KJTL) — We are less than three weeks away from Major League Baseball’s opening day.

The defending World Series champion Texas Rangers open their title defense at Globe Life Field on March 28 against the Chicago Cubs.

But until then, spring training continues.

All week long, Sports Director Tobin McDuff will be live from the Suprise, Ariz., helping us get primed for the 2024 season.

The Rangers will play a road game in Tempe on March 11 against the Angels.

The team officially opened the defense of their World Series title on February 14 in Surprise. The Rangers are coming off the first World Series Championship in franchise history after winning 90 games in the regular season.

Manager Bruce Bochy is back for his second season leading the team.

“You know, I’ve got an even deeper appreciation for what these guys did. It was just an incredible year with a lot of ups and downs,” Bochy said. “They were just relentless. They just [found] a way to get it done. And they didn’t care how it got done, just that it got done.”

In the offseason, the Rangers weren’t as active in the free agent market as in years past, instead focussing on re-signing players.

But they have added relievers David Robertson and Kirby Yates and catcher Andrew Knizner.

“The main thing for me is just getting reps with those guys, keep catching pitches, keep working with those guys as much as I can just to kind of speed up that learning curve,” Knizner said.

Gone is relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman who signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Also gone is backup catcher and designated hitter Mitch Garver, who signed a two-year deal with the Seattle Mariners.

And although he looks great in the Pittsburgh Pirates uniform, pitcher Martin Perez has departed as well.

Excitement abounds as the Rangers’ top two prospects take the field in surprise. Evan Carter appears to be a lock for the opening-day roster.

In 23 games last season, he hit .306, with five homers and 12 runs batted in. Most oddsmakers have made Carter the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year.

You’ve got to play good to win,” Carter said. “So if that comes along with it, that’s icing on the cake the way I see it.”

Carter could get competition from teammate Wyatt Langford if and when he suits up in Arlington this season.

According to Fanduel, the Rangers enter the season with the fifth-best odds of winning the 2024 World Series.

They would become the first repeat champs since 2000 when the Yankees won a third straight.