Deadspin | Rangers, Mariners each licking wounds entering early-season series 
Apr 5, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker (55) walks to the mound during the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The Texas Rangers’ strong early-season vibes have come crashing down.
After winning four of their first five games, the Rangers have lost four in a row after being swept at home over the weekend by the Cincinnati Reds.
Texas will look to turn the tide once more when it faces the Seattle Mariners in a three-game series starting Monday night in Arlington, Texas.
“We’ve got to figure out what went wrong,” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said after Sunday’s 2-1 loss. “What did we miss? What are things I can do better to get guys ready and win more games?”
In the big picture, the “wrong” from the series against Cincinnati seems clear. Texas managed just four runs on 18 hits over the three-game set, striking out 31 times and finishing 3-for-18 with runners in scoring position.
That hampered a strong showing on the mound for the Rangers’ staff, which allowed just seven runs over the series.
“I think we’re a better offense than we showed,” designated hitter Joc Pederson said. “There’s no excuses. We still got to score some more runs.”
The Mariners also head to Texas feeling a bit down after back-to-back one-run road losses against the Los Angeles Angels. The second of those, an 8-7, 11-inning defeat in Sunday’s rubber match, saw Seattle squander three separate leads.
After winning the AL West for the first time since 2001 and coming a win away from a World Series trip, Seattle is in an early slump this season, having lost four of the last five.
The Mariners, who struck out 15 times Sunday, rank second-to-last in the majors in batting average (.198) and have the second-most strikeouts at the plate (104).
“We know who we are,” Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez said. “Sometimes, it can be early on and you’re kind of finding your rhythm in the season. But like, we know who we are. We’re a great defensive team, offensive team, and we pitch well. We’re going to give trouble to anybody.”
In the series opener, both teams will turn to right-handed pitchers who are looking to find their form early this season.
Seattle will throw Logan Gilbert (0-1, 6.75 ERA), who was hit hard and allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings in his last start against the New York Yankees.
Gilbert hasn’t posted an ERA above 3.73 since his rookie season in 2021. The Rangers could be the fix for Gilbert’s early-season struggles. He has a 5-2 record and 2.90 ERA in 16 career appearances against the division foe with 97 strikeouts and 20 walks.
Texas will start Jacob deGrom (0-0, 5.79), who was scratched from his scheduled start in the second game of the season March 28 due to neck stiffness but managed to pitch just three days later than anticipated.
He allowed three runs on six hits over 4 2/3 innings March 31 vs. Baltimore.
deGrom’s Rangers tenure has been a bit hit or miss in terms of availability. He had a 2.97 ERA over 30 starts and 172 2/3 innings last season, but made just nine total starts over his first two seasons with Texas in 2023-24.
The 37-year-old is 2-2 with a 3.48 ERA in seven career appearances against Seattle.
–Field Level Media
#Deadspin #Rangers #Mariners #licking #wounds #entering #earlyseason #series
Apr 5, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker (55) walks to the mound during the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The Texas Rangers’ strong early-season vibes have come crashing down.
After winning four of their first five games, the Rangers have lost four in a row after being swept at home over the weekend by the Cincinnati Reds.
Texas will look to turn the tide once more when it faces the Seattle Mariners in a three-game series starting Monday night in Arlington, Texas.
“We’ve got to figure out what went wrong,” Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said after Sunday’s 2-1 loss. “What did we miss? What are things I can do better to get guys ready and win more games?”
In the big picture, the “wrong” from the series against Cincinnati seems clear. Texas managed just four runs on 18 hits over the three-game set, striking out 31 times and finishing 3-for-18 with runners in scoring position.
That hampered a strong showing on the mound for the Rangers’ staff, which allowed just seven runs over the series.
“I think we’re a better offense than we showed,” designated hitter Joc Pederson said. “There’s no excuses. We still got to score some more runs.”
The Mariners also head to Texas feeling a bit down after back-to-back one-run road losses against the Los Angeles Angels. The second of those, an 8-7, 11-inning defeat in Sunday’s rubber match, saw Seattle squander three separate leads.
After winning the AL West for the first time since 2001 and coming a win away from a World Series trip, Seattle is in an early slump this season, having lost four of the last five.
The Mariners, who struck out 15 times Sunday, rank second-to-last in the majors in batting average (.198) and have the second-most strikeouts at the plate (104).
“We know who we are,” Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez said. “Sometimes, it can be early on and you’re kind of finding your rhythm in the season. But like, we know who we are. We’re a great defensive team, offensive team, and we pitch well. We’re going to give trouble to anybody.”
In the series opener, both teams will turn to right-handed pitchers who are looking to find their form early this season.
Seattle will throw Logan Gilbert (0-1, 6.75 ERA), who was hit hard and allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings in his last start against the New York Yankees.
Gilbert hasn’t posted an ERA above 3.73 since his rookie season in 2021. The Rangers could be the fix for Gilbert’s early-season struggles. He has a 5-2 record and 2.90 ERA in 16 career appearances against the division foe with 97 strikeouts and 20 walks.
Texas will start Jacob deGrom (0-0, 5.79), who was scratched from his scheduled start in the second game of the season March 28 due to neck stiffness but managed to pitch just three days later than anticipated.
He allowed three runs on six hits over 4 2/3 innings March 31 vs. Baltimore.
deGrom’s Rangers tenure has been a bit hit or miss in terms of availability. He had a 2.97 ERA over 30 starts and 172 2/3 innings last season, but made just nine total starts over his first two seasons with Texas in 2023-24.
The 37-year-old is 2-2 with a 3.48 ERA in seven career appearances against Seattle.
–Field Level Media
![Kerala Blasters — Once a title contender under Ivan Vukomanovic now struggles for relevance in ISL Kerala Blasters’ 0-2 loss against Sporting Club Delhi on Sunday meant its winless streak continued at the midway stage of the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) season.The other side yet to win a match this season is Mohammedan SC, which has fielded an all-Indian team, compared to the Blasters, who have five overseas players in their ranks.Still, a draw against East Bengal saw KBFC earn its only point – one that separates it from the relegation-threatened Kolkata club.It was not long ago that the club was consistently playing in the knockouts and attracting an average of over 25,000 spectators to its hallowed Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. That number has not hit the five-digit mark this season.The fall from grace might look sudden, but it has been coming for some time.Where it beganBarring the infamous walkout, KBFC’s best era came under Ivan Vukomanovic, who took the club to the playoff stage in three consecutive seasons (including one final) from 2021 to 2024.The success caught the eye of rival clubs, who had legacy and financial power to attract KBFC’s star players at the time. Under head coach Ivan Vukomanovic, Kerala Blasters reached the ISL playoffs thrice, also entering the final in the 2021-22 season.
| Photo Credit:
ISL Media
Under head coach Ivan Vukomanovic, Kerala Blasters reached the ISL playoffs thrice, also entering the final in the 2021-22 season.
| Photo Credit:
ISL Media
Sahal Abdul Samad left for Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Dimitris Diamantakos to East Bengal, and Jorge Pereyra Díaz packed his bags for Mumbai City FC among major departures since the 2021-22 season.Vukomanovic’s exit in 2024 was used as an opportunity to shake up the squad further, and the lack of consistency prompted protests, especially from ‘Manjapada’, the club’s official fan club.The attendance, as a result, kept dwindling, dragging the club into a downward spiral financially.The controllablesThe new arrivals could hardly do much to douse the fire. The immediate need to catch up to the bigger clubs left no time for the newer players and managers to establish a structure.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjiqQYd9X5E[/embed]Vukomanovic’s replacement, Mikael Stahre, lasted 16 games. His full-time successor, David Catala, 11. Together, they managed eight wins, fewer than what Vukomanovic had in his first season alone.Last season, the team finished eighth, conceded 37 goals and recorded just five home wins in the league, the worst returns since the 2021-22 campaign.Under Catala, the team crashed out of consecutive editions of the AIFF Super Cup, remained winless in the current ISL season (including four straight home losses) before he ‘stepped down by mutual consent’.The Club can confirm that David Catala has stepped down from his role at the club by mutual consent.We thank David for his professionalism and contribution during his time here.The Club also extends its gratitude to Goalkeeping Coach Alex Ortiz and Strength & Conditioning… pic.twitter.com/MEc6LHMzas— Kerala Blasters FC (@KeralaBlasters) March 27, 2026The uncontrollablesJust like managers, the constant changes in the squad left the team without a fixed core. However, the point of blame must not be directed only at the club management.The delayed start to the latest season due to issues in the Master Rights Agreement forced the club to temporarily suspend operations, which in turn left the players’ careers up in the air. The uncertainty around the Indian Super League saw Kerala Blasters’ captain Adrian Luna leave on a season-long loan.
| Photo Credit:
ISL Media
The uncertainty around the Indian Super League saw Kerala Blasters’ captain Adrian Luna leave on a season-long loan.
| Photo Credit:
ISL Media
Foreigners Koldo Obieta, Juan Rodriguez, and Tiago Alves, who joined ahead of this season, left amid uncertainty around the league. Meanwhile, ISL regulars Noah Sadaoui and Adrian Luna opted not to sit around for a solution, choosing to go on season-long loans.On the contrary, clubs like Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City managed to largely retain their core, a reason for their dominance in the top half of the table.What next?KBFC’s hasty foreign signings as stopgap solutions underline the underplanning, following the league’s uncertainty.For example, defender Oumar Bah, who was signed in January, “mutually parted ways” with the club after featuring in the first three league games and was replaced by Fallou Ndiaye.With Catala not surviving the recent international break, English manager Ashley Westwood has now been given the responsibility to try to avoid disaster, i.e. relegation. And though he is well-versed in Indian and Asian football, he got a taste of what’s to come when his side produced a lacklustre showing against debutant SCD.Blasters’ fate — around relegation — will be decided in a matter of months, and irrespective of the outcome, the bigger question remains: will the club pay heed to the warning signs before it’s too late?Published on Apr 06, 2026 #Kerala #Blasters #title #contender #Ivan #Vukomanovic #struggles #relevance #ISL](https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/csos3w/article70828848.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/PBA_4413.JPG "Kerala Blasters — Once a title contender under Ivan Vukomanovic now struggles for relevance in ISL Kerala Blasters’ 0-2 loss against Sporting Club Delhi on Sunday meant its winless streak continued at the midway stage of the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) season.The other side yet to win a match this season is Mohammedan SC, which has fielded an all-Indian team, compared to the Blasters, who have five overseas players in their ranks.Still, a draw against East Bengal saw KBFC earn its only point – one that separates it from the relegation-threatened Kolkata club.It was not long ago that the club was consistently playing in the knockouts and attracting an average of over 25,000 spectators to its hallowed Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. That number has not hit the five-digit mark this season.The fall from grace might look sudden, but it has been coming for some time.Where it beganBarring the infamous walkout, KBFC’s best era came under Ivan Vukomanovic, who took the club to the playoff stage in three consecutive seasons (including one final) from 2021 to 2024.The success caught the eye of rival clubs, who had legacy and financial power to attract KBFC’s star players at the time. Under head coach Ivan Vukomanovic, Kerala Blasters reached the ISL playoffs thrice, also entering the final in the 2021-22 season.
| Photo Credit:
ISL Media
Under head coach Ivan Vukomanovic, Kerala Blasters reached the ISL playoffs thrice, also entering the final in the 2021-22 season.
| Photo Credit:
ISL Media
Sahal Abdul Samad left for Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Dimitris Diamantakos to East Bengal, and Jorge Pereyra Díaz packed his bags for Mumbai City FC among major departures since the 2021-22 season.Vukomanovic’s exit in 2024 was used as an opportunity to shake up the squad further, and the lack of consistency prompted protests, especially from ‘Manjapada’, the club’s official fan club.The attendance, as a result, kept dwindling, dragging the club into a downward spiral financially.The controllablesThe new arrivals could hardly do much to douse the fire. The immediate need to catch up to the bigger clubs left no time for the newer players and managers to establish a structure.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjiqQYd9X5E[/embed]Vukomanovic’s replacement, Mikael Stahre, lasted 16 games. His full-time successor, David Catala, 11. Together, they managed eight wins, fewer than what Vukomanovic had in his first season alone.Last season, the team finished eighth, conceded 37 goals and recorded just five home wins in the league, the worst returns since the 2021-22 campaign.Under Catala, the team crashed out of consecutive editions of the AIFF Super Cup, remained winless in the current ISL season (including four straight home losses) before he ‘stepped down by mutual consent’.The Club can confirm that David Catala has stepped down from his role at the club by mutual consent.We thank David for his professionalism and contribution during his time here.The Club also extends its gratitude to Goalkeeping Coach Alex Ortiz and Strength & Conditioning… pic.twitter.com/MEc6LHMzas— Kerala Blasters FC (@KeralaBlasters) March 27, 2026The uncontrollablesJust like managers, the constant changes in the squad left the team without a fixed core. However, the point of blame must not be directed only at the club management.The delayed start to the latest season due to issues in the Master Rights Agreement forced the club to temporarily suspend operations, which in turn left the players’ careers up in the air. The uncertainty around the Indian Super League saw Kerala Blasters’ captain Adrian Luna leave on a season-long loan.
| Photo Credit:
ISL Media
The uncertainty around the Indian Super League saw Kerala Blasters’ captain Adrian Luna leave on a season-long loan.
| Photo Credit:
ISL Media
Foreigners Koldo Obieta, Juan Rodriguez, and Tiago Alves, who joined ahead of this season, left amid uncertainty around the league. Meanwhile, ISL regulars Noah Sadaoui and Adrian Luna opted not to sit around for a solution, choosing to go on season-long loans.On the contrary, clubs like Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City managed to largely retain their core, a reason for their dominance in the top half of the table.What next?KBFC’s hasty foreign signings as stopgap solutions underline the underplanning, following the league’s uncertainty.For example, defender Oumar Bah, who was signed in January, “mutually parted ways” with the club after featuring in the first three league games and was replaced by Fallou Ndiaye.With Catala not surviving the recent international break, English manager Ashley Westwood has now been given the responsibility to try to avoid disaster, i.e. relegation. And though he is well-versed in Indian and Asian football, he got a taste of what’s to come when his side produced a lacklustre showing against debutant SCD.Blasters’ fate — around relegation — will be decided in a matter of months, and irrespective of the outcome, the bigger question remains: will the club pay heed to the warning signs before it’s too late?Published on Apr 06, 2026 #Kerala #Blasters #title #contender #Ivan #Vukomanovic #struggles #relevance #ISL")
![Kerala Blasters — Once a title contender under Ivan Vukomanovic now struggles for relevance in ISL Kerala Blasters’ 0-2 loss against Sporting Club Delhi on Sunday meant its winless streak continued at the midway stage of the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) season.The other side yet to win a match this season is Mohammedan SC, which has fielded an all-Indian team, compared to the Blasters, who have five overseas players in their ranks.Still, a draw against East Bengal saw KBFC earn its only point – one that separates it from the relegation-threatened Kolkata club.It was not long ago that the club was consistently playing in the knockouts and attracting an average of over 25,000 spectators to its hallowed Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. That number has not hit the five-digit mark this season.The fall from grace might look sudden, but it has been coming for some time.Where it beganBarring the infamous walkout, KBFC’s best era came under Ivan Vukomanovic, who took the club to the playoff stage in three consecutive seasons (including one final) from 2021 to 2024.The success caught the eye of rival clubs, who had legacy and financial power to attract KBFC’s star players at the time. Under head coach Ivan Vukomanovic, Kerala Blasters reached the ISL playoffs thrice, also entering the final in the 2021-22 season.
| Photo Credit:
ISL Media
Under head coach Ivan Vukomanovic, Kerala Blasters reached the ISL playoffs thrice, also entering the final in the 2021-22 season.
| Photo Credit:
ISL Media
Sahal Abdul Samad left for Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Dimitris Diamantakos to East Bengal, and Jorge Pereyra Díaz packed his bags for Mumbai City FC among major departures since the 2021-22 season.Vukomanovic’s exit in 2024 was used as an opportunity to shake up the squad further, and the lack of consistency prompted protests, especially from ‘Manjapada’, the club’s official fan club.The attendance, as a result, kept dwindling, dragging the club into a downward spiral financially.The controllablesThe new arrivals could hardly do much to douse the fire. The immediate need to catch up to the bigger clubs left no time for the newer players and managers to establish a structure.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjiqQYd9X5E[/embed]Vukomanovic’s replacement, Mikael Stahre, lasted 16 games. His full-time successor, David Catala, 11. Together, they managed eight wins, fewer than what Vukomanovic had in his first season alone.Last season, the team finished eighth, conceded 37 goals and recorded just five home wins in the league, the worst returns since the 2021-22 campaign.Under Catala, the team crashed out of consecutive editions of the AIFF Super Cup, remained winless in the current ISL season (including four straight home losses) before he ‘stepped down by mutual consent’.The Club can confirm that David Catala has stepped down from his role at the club by mutual consent.We thank David for his professionalism and contribution during his time here.The Club also extends its gratitude to Goalkeeping Coach Alex Ortiz and Strength & Conditioning… pic.twitter.com/MEc6LHMzas— Kerala Blasters FC (@KeralaBlasters) March 27, 2026The uncontrollablesJust like managers, the constant changes in the squad left the team without a fixed core. However, the point of blame must not be directed only at the club management.The delayed start to the latest season due to issues in the Master Rights Agreement forced the club to temporarily suspend operations, which in turn left the players’ careers up in the air. The uncertainty around the Indian Super League saw Kerala Blasters’ captain Adrian Luna leave on a season-long loan.
| Photo Credit:
ISL Media
The uncertainty around the Indian Super League saw Kerala Blasters’ captain Adrian Luna leave on a season-long loan.
| Photo Credit:
ISL Media
Foreigners Koldo Obieta, Juan Rodriguez, and Tiago Alves, who joined ahead of this season, left amid uncertainty around the league. Meanwhile, ISL regulars Noah Sadaoui and Adrian Luna opted not to sit around for a solution, choosing to go on season-long loans.On the contrary, clubs like Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City managed to largely retain their core, a reason for their dominance in the top half of the table.What next?KBFC’s hasty foreign signings as stopgap solutions underline the underplanning, following the league’s uncertainty.For example, defender Oumar Bah, who was signed in January, “mutually parted ways” with the club after featuring in the first three league games and was replaced by Fallou Ndiaye.With Catala not surviving the recent international break, English manager Ashley Westwood has now been given the responsibility to try to avoid disaster, i.e. relegation. And though he is well-versed in Indian and Asian football, he got a taste of what’s to come when his side produced a lacklustre showing against debutant SCD.Blasters’ fate — around relegation — will be decided in a matter of months, and irrespective of the outcome, the bigger question remains: will the club pay heed to the warning signs before it’s too late?Published on Apr 06, 2026 #Kerala #Blasters #title #contender #Ivan #Vukomanovic #struggles #relevance #ISL](https://i2.wp.com/ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/csos3w/article70828848.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/PBA_4413.JPG?ssl=1 "Kerala Blasters — Once a title contender under Ivan Vukomanovic now struggles for relevance in ISL Kerala Blasters’ 0-2 loss against Sporting Club Delhi on Sunday meant its winless streak continued at the midway stage of the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) season.The other side yet to win a match this season is Mohammedan SC, which has fielded an all-Indian team, compared to the Blasters, who have five overseas players in their ranks.Still, a draw against East Bengal saw KBFC earn its only point – one that separates it from the relegation-threatened Kolkata club.It was not long ago that the club was consistently playing in the knockouts and attracting an average of over 25,000 spectators to its hallowed Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. That number has not hit the five-digit mark this season.The fall from grace might look sudden, but it has been coming for some time.Where it beganBarring the infamous walkout, KBFC’s best era came under Ivan Vukomanovic, who took the club to the playoff stage in three consecutive seasons (including one final) from 2021 to 2024.The success caught the eye of rival clubs, who had legacy and financial power to attract KBFC’s star players at the time. Under head coach Ivan Vukomanovic, Kerala Blasters reached the ISL playoffs thrice, also entering the final in the 2021-22 season.
| Photo Credit:
ISL Media
Under head coach Ivan Vukomanovic, Kerala Blasters reached the ISL playoffs thrice, also entering the final in the 2021-22 season.
| Photo Credit:
ISL Media
Sahal Abdul Samad left for Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Dimitris Diamantakos to East Bengal, and Jorge Pereyra Díaz packed his bags for Mumbai City FC among major departures since the 2021-22 season.Vukomanovic’s exit in 2024 was used as an opportunity to shake up the squad further, and the lack of consistency prompted protests, especially from ‘Manjapada’, the club’s official fan club.The attendance, as a result, kept dwindling, dragging the club into a downward spiral financially.The controllablesThe new arrivals could hardly do much to douse the fire. The immediate need to catch up to the bigger clubs left no time for the newer players and managers to establish a structure.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjiqQYd9X5E[/embed]Vukomanovic’s replacement, Mikael Stahre, lasted 16 games. His full-time successor, David Catala, 11. Together, they managed eight wins, fewer than what Vukomanovic had in his first season alone.Last season, the team finished eighth, conceded 37 goals and recorded just five home wins in the league, the worst returns since the 2021-22 campaign.Under Catala, the team crashed out of consecutive editions of the AIFF Super Cup, remained winless in the current ISL season (including four straight home losses) before he ‘stepped down by mutual consent’.The Club can confirm that David Catala has stepped down from his role at the club by mutual consent.We thank David for his professionalism and contribution during his time here.The Club also extends its gratitude to Goalkeeping Coach Alex Ortiz and Strength & Conditioning… pic.twitter.com/MEc6LHMzas— Kerala Blasters FC (@KeralaBlasters) March 27, 2026The uncontrollablesJust like managers, the constant changes in the squad left the team without a fixed core. However, the point of blame must not be directed only at the club management.The delayed start to the latest season due to issues in the Master Rights Agreement forced the club to temporarily suspend operations, which in turn left the players’ careers up in the air. The uncertainty around the Indian Super League saw Kerala Blasters’ captain Adrian Luna leave on a season-long loan.
| Photo Credit:
ISL Media
The uncertainty around the Indian Super League saw Kerala Blasters’ captain Adrian Luna leave on a season-long loan.
| Photo Credit:
ISL Media
Foreigners Koldo Obieta, Juan Rodriguez, and Tiago Alves, who joined ahead of this season, left amid uncertainty around the league. Meanwhile, ISL regulars Noah Sadaoui and Adrian Luna opted not to sit around for a solution, choosing to go on season-long loans.On the contrary, clubs like Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City managed to largely retain their core, a reason for their dominance in the top half of the table.What next?KBFC’s hasty foreign signings as stopgap solutions underline the underplanning, following the league’s uncertainty.For example, defender Oumar Bah, who was signed in January, “mutually parted ways” with the club after featuring in the first three league games and was replaced by Fallou Ndiaye.With Catala not surviving the recent international break, English manager Ashley Westwood has now been given the responsibility to try to avoid disaster, i.e. relegation. And though he is well-versed in Indian and Asian football, he got a taste of what’s to come when his side produced a lacklustre showing against debutant SCD.Blasters’ fate — around relegation — will be decided in a matter of months, and irrespective of the outcome, the bigger question remains: will the club pay heed to the warning signs before it’s too late?Published on Apr 06, 2026 #Kerala #Blasters #title #contender #Ivan #Vukomanovic #struggles #relevance #ISL")
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