Texas Rangers' Nathaniel Lowe runs the bases after hitting a home run that also scored teammates Corey Seager and Adolis during the ninth inning of a baseball game in against the Chicago White Sox Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Texas Rangers' Josh Smith (8) and Nathaniel Lowe, right, celebrate the team's win against the Chicago White Sox in a baseball game, Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Texas Rangers' Nathaniel Lowe runs the bases after hitting a home run that also scored teammates Corey Seager and Adolis during the ninth inning of a baseball game in against the Chicago White Sox Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
LM Otero
Texas Rangers' Josh Smith (8) and Nathaniel Lowe, right, celebrate the team's win against the Chicago White Sox in a baseball game, Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
ARLINGTON, Texas — At this time in 2023, Nathaniel Lowe and his Texas Rangers teammates had a magical playoff run ahead of them, one culminating in the first World Series title in franchise history, setting off a raucous victory celebration including a parade through Arlington attended by thousands.
However, this season, Lowe, 29, who played at Mississippi State in 2015, and the Rangers have experienced what it’s like to wear a target on their chest. Texas has been beset by injuries, overall inconsistency, and a championship hangover. And even after a 4-3 win against Pittsburgh on Monday, August 19 at home, giving the Rangers’ their first back-to-back wins in nearly a month, Texas is still 58-68, 11 games back in the American League West and 12 ½ games back in AL wild card chase.
