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What Andrew Heaney has done better than any Texas Rangers pitcher in the Bruce Bochy Era

In a surprising turn of events, Heaney has become the Rangers’ most dependable starting pitcher over the last two seasons.

CHICAGO - Quick question: Who leads Texas Rangers pitchers in starts and innings pitched in the Bruce Bochy Era?

Surprise: It’s Andrew Heaney.

On Wednesday, Heaney did not get the win in the Rangers’ 3-1 victory over Chicago in the afternoon that was technically the completion of the game was suspended after four pitches Tuesday. Heaney had been scheduled to start the game Tuesday and warmed up before rains arrived at game time. Since he’d gotten warm on Tuesday, the Rangers gave him the option to skip the Wednesday game. Heaney declined. He showed up. And pitched. It’s what he’s done for the Rangers for two seasons. He may not have Cy Young Awards on his career resume and did not set a postseason record for wins, as other members of the rotation have, but he’s been reliable.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney throws to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first...
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney throws to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Arlington, Texas.(Tony Gutierrez / AP)
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Heaney’s start was his 54th over the last two years and he pushed his innings total to 281 2/3, giving him a slight edge over Thursday’s scheduled starter, Nathan Eovaldi, who has 277 in 48 starts. Considering Heaney has, on occasion been asked to pitch in relief, the statistical edge is somewhat remarkable.

And it’s not lost on Bochy.

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“I’m a big believer in dependability,” Bochy said. “Guys that can make it out there are important. We’re lucky to have him. He’s done everything we’ve asked. We’ve asked him to relieve. On occasion we’ve not given him the extra day that we’ve given some others. He says ‘I’m good to go.’ He gets hot last night and says ‘No, I’m good to go [Wednesday]. He’s a good team player and resilient.”

It may also help change the narrative on Heaney, who prior to last year had only once in his career had started more than 18 games in a season. He missed significant parts of the 2016-19 seasons with elbow issues.

Heaney, who is a free agent at the end of the season, has been the Rangers’ hard luck pitcher this year. Though he is tied with Chris Flexen, the White Sox loser in the completion of the suspended game, for the major league lead in losses at 13, he’s often been a victim of poor run support. The Rangers scored just one run for him in five innings Wednesday. It was the 19th time in his 26 starts they have failed to score at least three runs with him in the game. They have scored more than three only four times. Despite a 4-13 record, Heaney has a sub-4.00 ERA at 3.95.

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“Early in my career, I got a reputation as a guy who didn’t stay healthy,” Heaney said. “So, yes, I’m proud of this. I’m going to take the ball and do whatever the team needs to win. Last year, in a season where we’re obviously, in the race trying to make the playoffs, I got moved to the bullpen because that’s what the team needed. This year, it’s been a little bit different. It’s been a situation where I need to take the ball every five days and be the starter that can go out there and be dependable know that you can put my name in pen and know I’ll be ready to go whenever.”

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