1/28/2024

2023 Topps Heritage High Number


The 2023 Topps Heritage high number was released in mid-December 2023. When it was released, I didn’t realize that this product was available. However, on the day of the release, I coincidentally went to a sports card shop. The shop owner told me that the 2023 Topps Heritage high number just arrived, and I could give it a try.


I didn’t hesitate to get some hobby packs of the 2023 Topps Heritage high number, trying to see if I could find some cool cards.

 

After opening some hobby packs, I found a Nathan Eovaldi baseball card and an Andrew Heaney baseball card. While seeing these 2 cards, I just began to think about a question. The Rangers won the 2023 World Series title, which is the first World Series Champions in franchise history. Corey Seager is the World Series MVP and Adolis Garcia was named the ALCS MVP. The Rangers batters did hit well in the postseason. However, how about the pitching staff?

 

To learn a little bit more, I checked on the MLB website.

 

Stats (Rangers, SP, 2023)

 

G

IP

ERA

WHIP

BAA

K/BB

Regular

162

872.0

3.96

1.26

.248

2.75

Postseason

17

84.1

3.63

1.30

.263

2.83

 

Looking at the Rangers starting pitchers’ performance during the regular season, they finished the season with a 3.96 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. An ERA of 3.96 ranked 7th among 30 MLB teams. Additionally, a 1.26 WHIP ranked 13th among 30 MLB teams. Moreover, opponents’ batting average against the Rangers’ starters was .248, which tied for 14th among 30 MLB teams. Hence, in the 2023 season, the Rangers starters’ performances weren’t outstanding, but not bad.

 

In the postseason, the Rangers starters owned a 3.63 ERA, which was lower than the number in the regular season. However, they had A 1.30 WHIP, which was higher than the 1.26 WHIP during the regular season. Furthermore, opponents’ batting average was over .260 against the Rangers starting pitchers. Nonetheless, the Rangers starters had a 2.83 K/BB, which was slightly higher than the number in the regular season.

 

Stats (Rangers, RP, 2023)

 

G

IP

ERA

WHIP

BAA

K/BB

Regular

159

564.1

4.77

1.27

.242

2.76

Postseason

17

70.2

4.08

1.27

.233

2.03

 

Now, let’s look at the Rangers relievers, during the regular season, they had a 4.77 ERA, which ranked 24th among 30 MLB teams. Nonetheless, they owned 1.27 WHIP, which was 13th in the majors. Moreover, opponents batted .242 against the Rangers relievers, and a .242 BAA tied for 18th among 30 MLB teams. Overall, the Rangers’ bullpen was not so good during the regular season. Nevertheless, in the postseason, the Rangers relief pitchers’ ERA dropped to 4.08 and batting average against the Rangers relievers also went down. Well, a 1.27 WHIP was the same as the regular season. Nonetheless, we can see that the Rangers relievers did pitch better in the playoffs than they did during the regular season.

 

The 2023 season was surely an unforgettable one for the Rangers organization because of the first World Series title in franchise history. Without doubt, their batters did a great job, in the postseason, they posted a .792 OPS and crushed 30 home runs over 17 games. Nonetheless, in the postseason, Jacob deGrom wasn’t in the rotation and Max Scherzer didn’t pitch well. It was not an easy postseason for the Rangers pitching staff. But some pitchers such as Nathan Eovaldi, Jordan Montgomery and Josh Sborz did a good job. Eovladi made 6 starts and earned 5 wins. Additionally, Jordan Montgomery earned 3 wins and Josh Sborz allowed only 1 run over 12 innings. Those pitchers surely contribute a lot to the Rangers in the 2023 postseason.

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