Texas Rangers pitchers have stopped walking batters

The Texas Rangers win yesterday featured just two walks issued by the Rangers pitchers — one by starter Austin Bibens-Dirkx, and one by reliever Jose Leclerc. It was the 28th time in 29 games that the Rangers have issued three walks or fewer in a game.

This is an interesting factoid in part because one thing the Rangers have not been known for in recent years is throwing strikes. The Rangers were 17th in the majors in fewest walks per 9 innings in 2013. The Rangers were 27th in that godawful 2014 season. In 2015, the Rangers were 24th in walks; in 2016, the Rangers were 22nd; and last year, Texas was 24th in walk rate for its pitchers.

This year, however? The Ranger pitchers are sixth in the…