Rangers' win over A's perfectly spotlights Texas' renewed offensive approach and why it's working
Texas' renewed offensive gameplan built around team-centric at-bats was on full display in Monday's 8-1 win over the Athletics.
Texas Rangers' Jake Burger (21) is congratulated by Josh Jung, front left, after hitting a three-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Monday, April 13, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (Scott Marshall/AP) WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — There was a moment Monday, in this early-season battle of surprising co-leaders in the AL West, that encapsulated the difference between the last two Rangers seasons and what 2026 might be.
It did not involve Nathan Eovaldi, though he pitched seven shutout innings. Been there, seen that. It did involve Jake Burger, though it wasn’t either of his two homers that built the Rangers’ early lead in an 8-1 win over the don’t-say-Sacramento Athletics.
It was this: Burger took a pitch. Stop the presses. But, please, allow us to explain.
It came in the fifth, on the first pitch he saw after launching homers to left and to right field in his first two at-bats. If there was ever an urge for an attack-mode hitter like Burger to strike, this was it. But, the first two outs had come on three total pitches.
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