Marcus Semien

Texas has staked its livelihood on the long ball. In Game 2 that strategy was a fatal flaw.

“I don’t know how you can boo somebody for getting hit," Jonah Heim said. "He kind of quieted them pretty quick there."

Semien, one of the best players in the game, is 3-for-21 against Houston in the ALCS.

No more Silver Boots to award. The Rangers and Astros now have a heated, chippy rivalry — and a best-of-seven to crown a pennant winner.

It’s not like there’s not a precedent for deities casting down angels, but this seems especially punitive, doesn’t it?

Marcus Semien has played more games than anyone in MLB since 2021. And after years of grinding away, he has emerged as a full-fledged star.

Also in Caught Looking: A MacKenzie Gore comp with a future Hall of Famer; Oakland's silver lining amidst all the losing.

The Rangers have gone down several paths to build a division-leading roster. One method they've neglected, though, is sticking out.

The confounding situation in Chicago is just one takeaway from the week that was in baseball.

It would have been difficult to guess how aggressive the Rangers would be in remaking their roster, but also in their expectations.

Semien spent the offseason working with younger players and further developing the kinds of relationships necessary for a veteran leader.

The Rangers can take a breath, knowing that they accomplished more in this truncated offseason than they had in quite some time.

The Rangers have probably made themselves eight wins better in one weekend, which could be a conservative estimate.

The Rangers were expected to be busy this offseason, and they got the ball rolling with a marquee free-agent signing in Semien.

While 34 is old for a shortstop, it's not like we don't have a recent example of a team making that work.

That one bold stroke would set a number of other moves into motion.

Breaking down the greatest free-agent shortstop class in baseball history.

My ranking of the winter's top 50 free agents, based not necessarily on what they will get, but what I think they're likely to be worth.