Jake Burger smashes 28th home run in win vs. Twins

The Rangers’ lineup was lifeless in a must-win game as they tried to keep pace with the Astros in the American League West race. They only mustered four measly hits – none for extra bases – and two runs in this loss to the Mets. Burger was at least responsible for their only run scoring hit, but this was a brutal display by a team with their backs up against the wall. As for Burger, he’s been normally productive in the power department with 27 home runs and 89 RBI as the regular season comes to a close.

Burger’s home run was his 27th of the season. He hit a two-run shot off Spencer Arrighetti in the fourth inning. Burger has knocked in five runs over his last five games. He’s hitting .233 with a .735 OPS and 88 RBI, which is pretty much what was expected of Burger prior to the year.

Burger’s solo homer came off Kade Anderson in the top of the second. It was the only run Texas would score against the rookie southpaw. Burger is up to 26 homers on the year, including five in his past 15 games. While he is unlikely to match his career high of 34 set in 2023, he has certainly bounced back from a disappointing first season with the Rangers.

Burger’s first two-homer game since mid-April was a big one, as he took Ian Seymour deep in both the second and fourth innings. He also came around after the walk, making this the first time this year that he’s scored three runs. He’s at .239/.305/.433 with 25 homers and 82 RBI as he tries to help the Rangers win the AL West and works to ensure that the team will want to bring him back for 2027. It’ll probably cost around $6 million to retain him in arbitration.

Burger doubled in the second inning to put runners on second and third with no outs. Both runs would score as the Rangers took a lead they wouldn’t give back. Burger has 12 RBI in his last 18 games despite a .238 average. He’s hitting .238 with a .728 OPS and 78 RBI this year.

Burger’s home run was his 23rd of the season. He hit a solo shot off Anthony Kay in the second inning. Burger has now hit home runs in back-to-back games and has four home runs in his last 10 games. He’s hitting .236 with a .731 OPS and 76 RBI this year.

Burger was hit on the back of his hand in the third inning. He stayed in to run and played another inning on defense, but he was replaced by Nicky Lopez after that.

The 428-foot blast was Burger’s 20th homer of the year and upped his total to 71 RBI. Still, he needs a strong finish here to ensure that the Rangers go forward with him at first base next year. He’s hitting .234/.295/.413, giving him approximately a 102 OPS+. That’s also his mark from the last three years combined.

Burger has been in there at first base for every other game this week, so it looks like they’re just trying to give him a breather. Joc Pederson will cover first base while Corey Seager functions as the team’s designated hitter, with Nicky Lopez starting at shortstop and batting seventh for the Rangers against Angels’ right-hander Walbert Urena.

The Rangers took the lead on a Brandon Nimmo RBI single in the 10th inning. With the bases loaded later in the frame, Burger smashed a two-run single to put the Rangers up 4-1. These were the first RBI he’s had in August. He’s hitting .237 with a .713 OPS and 68 RBI.