“New Pope, New Me” —that’s what the Texas Rangers’ third baseman credits for the team’s recent hot streak. Yes, the Rangers racked up their fifth win in a row after their 8-3 win over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday. Now, adding a 2-1 record in the past three games, they improved to 25-22. This resurgence was much-needed for the Lone Stars. April was anything but kind to them. Bluntly, the team suffered through a series of losses throughout the month. But May has been different… gentle, one might say. The Rangers started to look different. And interestingly, their hot streak has to be credited to Pope Leo XIV.

It goes back to May 8, when Robert Francis Prevost, hailing from Chicago, was elected Pope Leo XIV. Well, if you’ve followed the Pope’s journey, you’d be no stranger to his deep ties with Major League Baseball. He has been a longtime fan of the Chicago White Sox. In fact, on his first day as Pope at the Vatican, the White Sox secured a 6-2 win over the Miami Marlins. Coincidence? Maybe. However, what do you think are the odds of Rangers star Jake Burger associating Pope Leo with the MLB world?

Burger may not be from the Windy City, but he’s a devout catholic, who, like the newly elected Pope, is also a Midwesterner. And he truly believes his individual performance, as well as the Rangers’ hot streak, is a blessing. Basically, I kind of thought: New Pope, new me. He’s a Midwestern guy like me. I was proud. And since he’s been elected Pope, we’ve been rather hot. I think it would be a disservice to him, not to give him some credit,” said Burger.

You see, when Pope Leo was elected, Burger wasn’t doing very well. He even received an unexpected minor league assignment. So, naturally, it was a tough stretch for him. But Burger. But things swiftly changed once Pope Leo took charge of the Catholic Church. Thus, if anyone deserves credit for Texas’s resurgence, Burger believes it’s Pope Leo.

But that’s not all! Since Pope Leo supported the White Sox in their 2005 World Series run, Burger believes that Pope Leo didn’t like the fact that Burger was traded from the White Sox, where he began his MLB career. So, according to Burger, Pope Leo “put in a little blessing” for him.

As for Wednesday’s 8-3 victory against the Rockies, Burger’s two-run double to right-center had a strong impact on the win. Right after his hit, he turned to the dugout and gave a two-handed wave that looked like something you’d only see at the Vatican. After his wave, he made a small sign of blessing.

Well, nobody in the Rangers is complaining about this “papal wave” because as long as the team wins, what else do they need?

How did the Rangers’ winning streak come to an end?

On Friday night, the Houston Astros snapped the Rangers’ six-game winning streak. It was Christian Walker’s three-run homer that capped off a six-run blast that had the stadium stunned. For some time, he had a rough stretch, going 0-for-16. But his performance in Friday’s game against the Rangers served as his powerful comeback. In the first inning, he hit a single, and then his 410-foot blast to left-center gave the Astros a stunning 3-2 lead.

One of the Rangers’ relievers, Shawn Armstrong, allowed Walker’s home run and couldn’t retire a single batter he faced. Moreover, in the ninth inning, closer Josh Hader gave up a solo homer to Josh Hung.

Anyway, the game was already in the Astros’ favor. They secured a solid 6-3 win over the Rangers. However, it stung for the Rangers, as it ended their winning streak. But Saturday’s game went in their favor, as they beat Houston 5-1.

So, although they broke their winning streak, they eventually won the series over the Astros. Joc Pederson and Wyatt Langford’s consecutive home runs, along with elite pitching from Tyler Mahle, helped give the Rangers a much-needed lead. Now, all eyes are on the next Astros-Rangers Sunday matchup.

Who do you think has the odds stacked in their favor this time?