Why Rangers' chances of repeating as champs hinge on this key factor

No team has won back-to-back World Series since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees, who won three in a row. Can the Texas Rangers — who won their opener 4-3 over the Chicago Cubs on Thursday — be the first team to do it since? 

The Astros seem to be Texas' only challenger in the American League West. While it would be best for either Houston or Texas to win the division outright, the team that doesn't has a great shot at a wild-card spot, and once in, there is always a chance to go all the way.

Elsewhere in the division, the awful Athletics are a non-factor, but the Mariners should be competitive. They have arguably the best rotation in baseball, but outside of star outfielder Julio Rodriquez, their offense won't scare many teams. Even with star Mike Trout fully healthy, the Angels have a long shot of winning the division or making the playoffs as a wild card.

With an offense that has all of its top hitters back from 2023 and youthful additions, the Rangers are formidable.

Any lineup featuring Marcus Semien, Corey Seager and Adolis Garcia must be feared. Throw in bats such as Josh Jung, Nathaniel Lowe (when he returns from the IL), Jonah Heim and solid players Leody Taveras and Ezequiel Duran, and you have a deep, dangerous lineup. 

Texas also has two top young prospects in the big leagues, outfielders Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford, ranked fifth and sixth on MLB's Top 100 list of prospects. 

Carter got his first taste of the majors late last season, batting .306 in 75 plate appearances. He also hit .300 in 72 postseason PAs, reinforcing his high prospect ranking. 

Despite just 44 games in the minors, Langford made the roster and collected his first major-league hit and RBI on Opening Day. These two youngsters help give the Rangers an offense that might be unrivaled in the majors.

The pitching, however, could be Texas' Achilles' heel.

The Rangers are relying on starters Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray, Andrew Heaney, Dane Dunning and Cody Bradford to keep them close for at least half the season. While Eovaldi and Gray have succeeded, the others are average MLB pitchers. 

The good news is that Texas could add talent to its rotation sometime between late May and mid-August. Starters Max Scherzer and Jacob DeGrom are injured, but ESPN's Buster Olney postulates Scherzer could return in late May.

Per the Associated Press, DeGrom hopes to return by mid-August. 

If these two potential aces come back and are effective, they could propel Texas into the playoffs and a return trip to the World Series.