​He’s endured a wide range of nicknames, from Nolan Ryan’s 5,000th career strikeout to being the voice of the World Series in many fans’ minds. He joined the Rangers broadcast booth back in 1979, and today, Eric Nadel brings his insights to listeners exclusively at The Crawfish Boxes. Q: Let’s start with Jacob Latz. It’s an extraordinary story when you consider where he stood in April. What have you observed from him? A: Jacob Latz has proven to be a lifesaver. He initially lost out on the fifth starter role in spring training and shifted to the bullpen, anticipated to be a multi-inning setup man for closer Robert Garcia. Then the closer role shifted hands as Garcia struggled and eventually got injured, followed by a similar turn of events for Chris Martin, who received the next opportunity to close. Jakob Junis followed with a few saves, but when he was unavailable, Latz was the choice, and he seized the moment. Recording nine saves of three or more outs by midseason is nearly unprecedented and speaks to his resilience and preparation. Q: We in Houston have weathered a slew of injuries, and the Rangers have had their share of misfortune as well. What’s the situation with Corey Seager? A: Corey Seager has endured a disappointing year, contributing little to the Rangers’ offense thus far. That said, the Rangers need the true Corey Seager to step up if they’re going to stay in contention. Zeke Duran has stepped in admirably in Seager’s absence, but the team desperately needs both of them to be healthy and performing at their highest level. Q: Looking ahead in the division for the rest of the season, what do you anticipate? A: Realistically, I expect Seattle to pull ahead and win the division rather comfortably. That said, if the Rangers can bolster their bullpen at the trade deadline and get Langford and Seager back to full strength, they should be positioned to contend for a wild-card spot. Q: For Astros fans not following the Rangers daily, who would you call your MVP of the season so far? A: Zeke Duran has been the Rangers’ most valuable everyday player, while Jacob Latz has been their most valuable pitcher. Neither of them were the obvious breakout choices you might have predicted before the season began, but their performance has changed that narrative. In short, Latz’s emergence as a shutdown reliever and Duran’s steady contributions at the plate and in the field have stood out, underscoring how unexpected breakthroughs can redefine a season. This duo’s success has underscored how a team’s fortunes can hinge on unsung contributors stepping up when their number is called.