8-15 - Delino DeShields is the Most Valuable Player in baseball: Rangers win 7-4

Sure, Delino DeShields went hitless in his return to the lineup after breaking a bone in the second night of the season, but the proof is in the pudding.

Without Delino DeShields, the Rangers are maybe the worst team that has ever played baseball. With Delino DeShields, the Rangers are playing .667 ball and have the 2001 Mariners taking their champagne out of the ice bucket.

Today, against the 2018 Mariners, the Rangers won just their eighth game of the season but it was their second victory in the three games DeShields has played this year.

There’s no doubt about it. Delino DeShields is the MVP.

Player of the Game: Jokes aside, the Rangers do seem to play better when Delino is in the lineup and this dates back to his debut with the Rangers in 2015. DeShields made a nice potential home run-saving catch but he’s not really the reason the Rangers won today. They mostly won because Joey Gallo and Nomar Mazara hit long dongs (after gaining inspiration from seeing their buddy Delino DeShields make a valiant early return to the lineup) and Isiah Kiner-Falefa continues doing his best Michael Young impersonation.

Up Next: The Rangers open a series against the A’s in Arlington with Matt Moore set to make the start against forever-nemesis Trevor Cahill. First pitch from The Ballpark is scheduled for 7:05 pm CT. Delino DeShields will likely be in the lineup so there’s a good chance the Rangers will win.