This is who the Rangers should have been all along. Texas had a disappointing first half of 2025. That much isn’t a secret. But there’s always been belief throughout the clubhouse and throughout the front office that they would right the ship.

The Rangers activated designated hitter Joc Pederson off of the 60-day injured list before Sunday’s series finale vs. the Atlanta Braves at Globe Life Field. Pederson, 33, hasn’t played since his hand was broken by a Bryse Wilson pitch in a May 24 game against the Chicago White Sox.

The Texas Rangers are the hottest team in MLB. The St. Louis Cardinals are ready to hit the reset button. Perhaps there's a deal to be worked out.

Things have been looking up in Texas recently. The Rangers have won five straight games, 14 of their last 20, and and 26 of their last 41. According to

If Pederson can be an improved version of his first-half self, his return could prove a boon for a Rangers team in the middle of a playoff push.

SportsLine's proven model has simulated Atlanta vs. Texas 10,000 times and released its MLB best bets for Joey Wentz vs. Nathan Eovaldi on Friday

In 2025, Detroit Tigers reliever Luke Jackson has posted a 4.11 ERA with 19 walks and 24 strikeouts across 35 innings in 39 games for the Texas Rangers.

Texas still holds the best team ERA in baseball and by a good margin, 3.18 to the second-place Royals' 3.50. The bullpen of mixed parts and pieces remains among the best in baseball, their ERA second in MLB behind the Astros.

One player who will likely be available is Ozuna, and he could make a lot of sense for a team like the Rangers that is hungry for offense. The designated hitter spot was supposed to be taken care of when the team signed Joc Pederson in the offseason. However, the left-handed slugger has been injured and has struggled when healthy.