10 Reasons the Rangers Will (and Won't) Repeat as World Champions

They went and took it in '23. It's time to do it again.

First pitch today for the 2024 season was officially time to turn the page on the glorious World Series season for your Texas Rangers.

Parting is such sweet sorrow. So let's just do it again!

Easier said than done, but here are reasons it will (or won't) happen again:

5 Reasons It Won't

1. It's a Rarity. We have to go back to the juggernaut Yankees of the late '90s for the most recent repeat champions, although Bruce Bochy's Giants did a number on winning three in five years ('10-'14).

2. Chemistry. It's impossible to bring back the same roster, so it's hard to gauge the impact of losses like Mitch Garver and Jordan Montgomery. You don't know what you miss until it's gone.

3. Competition. The Astros aren't going anywhere, the Mariners look poised to rebound, and the Orioles are striking back with deeper-pocketed owners. Not to mention the National League and a little team called the Dodgers.

4. Injuries. This applies to all teams, but Rangers are especially vulnerable. Scherzer, deGrom and Mahle aren't returning for a while to aid the pitching corps, while we've already seen Seager, Jung and Lowe in the recovery room this spring.

5. Expectations. Not all teams react well to the pressure of following up a title. While the Rangers don't look distracted this spring, the true test starts today. They're not sneaking up on anyone this time around.

5 Reasons It Will

1. Bruce Bochy. The man brought his Giants magic intact last year. Rather than winning three titles in five years, let's just cut to the chase with a three-peat (the first since the '98-'00 Yankees) so Bochy can retire and enjoy the fruits of his surefire Hall of Fame career.

2. The Rookies. Evan Carter flashed last season, and now Wyatt Langford is poised to be the frontrunner for AL Rookie of the Year. Throw in any unexpected pleasant surprises from young arms? It's the kind of juice a veteran squad needs for a repeat.

3. The Core. The core names are all back - Seager, Semien, Adolis, Jung, Heim, Lowe, Eovaldi, Gray, Heaney - along with the aforementioned youth. And they look determined and focused, unfazed by their success. That's a good sign.

4. Reinforcements. While fans were disappointed that Montgomery wasn't retained, GM Chris Young has shown a willingness to make bold moves at the trade deadline. Also, the team has a slew of big arms returning by the second half of the season - Scherzer, Mahle, deGrom. If they return to form, watch out.

5. It's Time. Repeat champs are rare, with three-peaters even rarer. A young Reggie Jackson and those swinging A's won three in a row back in the '70s, followed by the Yanks in the '90s. It's time.

Go Rangers!