​The first half of the 2026 MLB season is officially in the books for the Texas Rangers, and despite an up-and-down roller coaster throughout, they enter the break in a good spot.Texas sits at 49-47, good for first place in the American League West Division with a game-and-a-half lead.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAlthough the Rangers certainly haven’t been lighting the world on fire, if you would have told fans this was the position they would be in at the All-Star break, most of them probably would have been delighted.However, there’s no doubt Texas will have to raise their level of play as they head down the stretch and gear up for a postseason run.Let’s break down three keys to a successful second half of the season for the Rangers.Without star shortstop Corey Seager, it’s hard to imagine the Rangers getting what they want out of this season.As is the case when you take the best player off any team, the Rangers’ offense just isn’t the same without Seager in the lineup and producing.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSeager has played in just 51 of the Rangers’ 96 games this season as he has needed multiple stints on the Injured List.When he has been on the field, Seager has hit just .182 with 10 home runs and 25 RBI in 219 plate appearances.If Texas wants to make a deep postseason run, Seager will need to not only be in the lineup but also be producing.Coming into Spring Training, the main question everyone was asking was who would be the Rangers’ closer.Safe to say, that question has more than been answered as Jacob Latz has blown away expectations, being named to the American League All-Star team and is amongst the league leaders in saves.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDespite games being locked down when Latz gets into the game, what happens before that has been a question mark.As we enter the second half, rookie Peyton Gray is the highest-leverage arm behind Latz as Texas is having to rely on young arms to pitch big innings.Whether that’s internal or external, it’ll be an organization-wide effort to make sure Texas can get the ball to Latz with a lead.The Rangers pitching staff will get much-needed reinforcements at some point in the second half, with both Jordan Montgomery and Cody Bradford returning from injury.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMontgomery will likely need just one more rehab start before he rejoins the Rangers, presumably in the rotation in place of the injured Jack Leiter.Bradford, who is further behind, seems like he could slide into the bullpen, where he has had success in his young career.At some point, the Texas staff will be at full strength, and they will have to figure out how to maximise the weapons they have.Don’t miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!It’s completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!