The Texas Rangers have benefited from Corey Seager's apparent return to form following his activation from the injured list on July 17. Since that day, the five-time All-Star shortstop has boasted a .296/.379/.481 slash line with 12 extra-base hits, which translates to a commanding 148 OPS+. 

That production follows a less-than-satisfactory first half that was plagued by lower back inflammation and concussion symptoms. Before landing on the IL, Seager was hitting just .182/.292/.374. 

Texas has continued to make its presence known in a tight AL Wild Card race, sitting just a half game out of the last postseason spot after defeating the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday in a 6-0 shutout. 

Seager collected two RBI and hit his 14th home run of the season in the game, just the fourth homer allowed to a left-handed batter all season by Rays starter Shane McClanahan. Seager's 29 total bases against left-handed pitchers since August 8 is tied for the most by any hitter in the majors. 

The Rangers are getting the best version of Corey Seager at an optimal time

Seager may be heating up at the plate at just the right time for the Rangers, with October creeping closer each day. The two-time World Series MVP has a long history of showing up when things matter in the postseason. 

He won his first WS MVP with the Dodgers in 2020. His second came with the Rangers in 2023, when Seager hit .286 with 3 HR and 6 RBI in the five-game series against the Diamondbacks. 

With Seager returning to form, the Rangers are hoping he can help them stabilize their lineup over the season's final weeks.