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
![Three Teams That Screwed Up 2026 NFL Draft | Deadspin.com The Jacksonville Jaguars’ first-round pick, Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver and defensive back Travis Hunter, left, answers questions as General Manager James Gladstone, right, sits next to him during a press conference Friday, March 25, 2025 at Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Not every team can take home a prized draft pick, especially if they are throwing darts nowhere near the top of the board.We can’t say enough great things about the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets and their stadium co-tenants, the Giants. From top to bottom, there’s a lot to love about the Panthers’ draft, too.But we have no worldly idea what a few other teams were thinking over the three-day NFL draft completed Saturday in Pittsburgh.Jacksonville JaguarsFrom all splash and sizzle in 2025 to … what-was-that vibes in 2026, maybe this is life with a 30-something general manager. We can’t say Travis Hunter, which cost Jacksonville a 2026 first-round pick in the deal with the Browns on draft night ’25, was a home run. Or even an infield single. And now we can’t say much at all about what the Jaguars did in this draft. The franchise is drafting “culture” and we’re anxious to find out how that computes year over year.San Francisco 49ers Dec 14, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) prepares to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images A jumbo receiver who would’ve been on the board 20 picks later De’Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss) wasn’t entirely unexpected. But the 49ers signed Mike Evans and 2025 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall is being panned as a lead receiver. If these things compute internally, what’s the reward with Stribling? This isn’t a division where drafting depth over difference-makers can be a survival mode. Indiana RB Kaelon Black also would’ve been on the board later and he’s a niche player at best as long as the 49ers have the McCaffrey guy. So two of the top three picks are bit players in a division where everyone north of Arizona will be hyper competitive.Atlanta Falcons Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on the sideline against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell brings immediate value and it’s fair to wonder if the Falcons are having buyer’s remorse over the trade of a first-round pick for James Pearce Jr. in 2025 given his off-field issues. The draft wasn’t deep enough to find high-end pass rushers or offensive tackles in the late rounds. Using their third draft pick this year on Kendal Daniels (Oklahoma) at No. 134 is evidence the Falcons are hoping to hit the lottery on upside. Where Daniels fits in this defense is nowhere near clear at the moment. #Teams #Screwed #NFL #Draft #Deadspin.com](https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-1200/1777224369642 "Three Teams That Screwed Up 2026 NFL Draft | Deadspin.com The Jacksonville Jaguars’ first-round pick, Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver and defensive back Travis Hunter, left, answers questions as General Manager James Gladstone, right, sits next to him during a press conference Friday, March 25, 2025 at Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Not every team can take home a prized draft pick, especially if they are throwing darts nowhere near the top of the board.We can’t say enough great things about the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets and their stadium co-tenants, the Giants. From top to bottom, there’s a lot to love about the Panthers’ draft, too.But we have no worldly idea what a few other teams were thinking over the three-day NFL draft completed Saturday in Pittsburgh.Jacksonville JaguarsFrom all splash and sizzle in 2025 to … what-was-that vibes in 2026, maybe this is life with a 30-something general manager. We can’t say Travis Hunter, which cost Jacksonville a 2026 first-round pick in the deal with the Browns on draft night ’25, was a home run. Or even an infield single. And now we can’t say much at all about what the Jaguars did in this draft. The franchise is drafting “culture” and we’re anxious to find out how that computes year over year.San Francisco 49ers Dec 14, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) prepares to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images A jumbo receiver who would’ve been on the board 20 picks later De’Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss) wasn’t entirely unexpected. But the 49ers signed Mike Evans and 2025 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall is being panned as a lead receiver. If these things compute internally, what’s the reward with Stribling? This isn’t a division where drafting depth over difference-makers can be a survival mode. Indiana RB Kaelon Black also would’ve been on the board later and he’s a niche player at best as long as the 49ers have the McCaffrey guy. So two of the top three picks are bit players in a division where everyone north of Arizona will be hyper competitive.Atlanta Falcons Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on the sideline against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell brings immediate value and it’s fair to wonder if the Falcons are having buyer’s remorse over the trade of a first-round pick for James Pearce Jr. in 2025 given his off-field issues. The draft wasn’t deep enough to find high-end pass rushers or offensive tackles in the late rounds. Using their third draft pick this year on Kendal Daniels (Oklahoma) at No. 134 is evidence the Falcons are hoping to hit the lottery on upside. Where Daniels fits in this defense is nowhere near clear at the moment. #Teams #Screwed #NFL #Draft #Deadspin.com")
![Three Teams That Screwed Up 2026 NFL Draft | Deadspin.com The Jacksonville Jaguars’ first-round pick, Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver and defensive back Travis Hunter, left, answers questions as General Manager James Gladstone, right, sits next to him during a press conference Friday, March 25, 2025 at Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Not every team can take home a prized draft pick, especially if they are throwing darts nowhere near the top of the board.We can’t say enough great things about the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets and their stadium co-tenants, the Giants. From top to bottom, there’s a lot to love about the Panthers’ draft, too.But we have no worldly idea what a few other teams were thinking over the three-day NFL draft completed Saturday in Pittsburgh.Jacksonville JaguarsFrom all splash and sizzle in 2025 to … what-was-that vibes in 2026, maybe this is life with a 30-something general manager. We can’t say Travis Hunter, which cost Jacksonville a 2026 first-round pick in the deal with the Browns on draft night ’25, was a home run. Or even an infield single. And now we can’t say much at all about what the Jaguars did in this draft. The franchise is drafting “culture” and we’re anxious to find out how that computes year over year.San Francisco 49ers Dec 14, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) prepares to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images A jumbo receiver who would’ve been on the board 20 picks later De’Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss) wasn’t entirely unexpected. But the 49ers signed Mike Evans and 2025 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall is being panned as a lead receiver. If these things compute internally, what’s the reward with Stribling? This isn’t a division where drafting depth over difference-makers can be a survival mode. Indiana RB Kaelon Black also would’ve been on the board later and he’s a niche player at best as long as the 49ers have the McCaffrey guy. So two of the top three picks are bit players in a division where everyone north of Arizona will be hyper competitive.Atlanta Falcons Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on the sideline against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell brings immediate value and it’s fair to wonder if the Falcons are having buyer’s remorse over the trade of a first-round pick for James Pearce Jr. in 2025 given his off-field issues. The draft wasn’t deep enough to find high-end pass rushers or offensive tackles in the late rounds. Using their third draft pick this year on Kendal Daniels (Oklahoma) at No. 134 is evidence the Falcons are hoping to hit the lottery on upside. Where Daniels fits in this defense is nowhere near clear at the moment. #Teams #Screwed #NFL #Draft #Deadspin.com](https://i3.wp.com/images.deadspin.com/tr:w-1200/1777224369642?ssl=1 "Three Teams That Screwed Up 2026 NFL Draft | Deadspin.com The Jacksonville Jaguars’ first-round pick, Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver and defensive back Travis Hunter, left, answers questions as General Manager James Gladstone, right, sits next to him during a press conference Friday, March 25, 2025 at Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] Not every team can take home a prized draft pick, especially if they are throwing darts nowhere near the top of the board.We can’t say enough great things about the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets and their stadium co-tenants, the Giants. From top to bottom, there’s a lot to love about the Panthers’ draft, too.But we have no worldly idea what a few other teams were thinking over the three-day NFL draft completed Saturday in Pittsburgh.Jacksonville JaguarsFrom all splash and sizzle in 2025 to … what-was-that vibes in 2026, maybe this is life with a 30-something general manager. We can’t say Travis Hunter, which cost Jacksonville a 2026 first-round pick in the deal with the Browns on draft night ’25, was a home run. Or even an infield single. And now we can’t say much at all about what the Jaguars did in this draft. The franchise is drafting “culture” and we’re anxious to find out how that computes year over year.San Francisco 49ers Dec 14, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) prepares to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images A jumbo receiver who would’ve been on the board 20 picks later De’Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss) wasn’t entirely unexpected. But the 49ers signed Mike Evans and 2025 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall is being panned as a lead receiver. If these things compute internally, what’s the reward with Stribling? This isn’t a division where drafting depth over difference-makers can be a survival mode. Indiana RB Kaelon Black also would’ve been on the board later and he’s a niche player at best as long as the 49ers have the McCaffrey guy. So two of the top three picks are bit players in a division where everyone north of Arizona will be hyper competitive.Atlanta Falcons Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on the sideline against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell brings immediate value and it’s fair to wonder if the Falcons are having buyer’s remorse over the trade of a first-round pick for James Pearce Jr. in 2025 given his off-field issues. The draft wasn’t deep enough to find high-end pass rushers or offensive tackles in the late rounds. Using their third draft pick this year on Kendal Daniels (Oklahoma) at No. 134 is evidence the Falcons are hoping to hit the lottery on upside. Where Daniels fits in this defense is nowhere near clear at the moment. #Teams #Screwed #NFL #Draft #Deadspin.com")
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