This story was excerpted from Kennedi Landry’s Rangers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

HOUSTON -- Almost two years ago, Corey Seager and Marcus Semien sat on the concourse at Globe Life Field as they were introduced as the newest members of the Texas Rangers. 

Seager agreed to a deal for 10 years and $325 million, while Semien -- four years older than his middle-infield counterpart -- signed on for seven years and $175 million. The two joined a club coming off 102 losses the previous season, with the hopes of propelling Texas back into contention.

The Rangers have come a long way in those two years, and after 94 losses in 2022, they are back in the American League Championship Series for the first time since '11. 

And Seager and Semien have come a long way since that December afternoon.

“I'd say 'open' is the right word,” Seager said of the relationship that has developed between the two. “Just dialogue-wise, right? Like when you meet somebody new, you're always tentative, you always don't want to offend, step on his toes, take away from what he does, stuff like that. You learn each other.

“We've learned each other over the last two years, and we're in a great spot, you know. I know where he's going to be. He knows where I'm going to be. That's just the jell and the camaraderie that you need to build with your double-play partner and a guy that you're going to play with every day.”

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Semien, who was a shortstop before sliding across the diamond in 2021 with the Blue Jays, said he always watches shortstops around the league, and playing alongside Seager has given him an inside look at what makes him tick. 

Just two seasons into their respective contracts, they understand each other both on and off the field in a way that’s conducive to building a winning environment.  

“The relationship between two middle infielders is always important,” Semien said. “Last year, we did some good things, but we did not have the best years together. This year, we both played great baseball; we've learned a lot about each other. All we have to do is really, you know, give each other a look and we know to move over or things like that. Chemistry-wise, things are great. And his performance in the regular season was MVP-caliber. It is definitely fun to play with that guy.”

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy wasn’t with the club in 2022, but he acknowledged how both Seager and Semien have grown together over the course of the '23 season. 

They’re “wired differently,” Bochy explained.

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Semien is uber routine-oriented. He comes out and does the same thing every day -- whether it’s hitting in the cages, swinging on the field or taking ground balls, he’s going to do it the same way. He’s business-like, focused, Bochy said. 

Seager prepares relentlessly, but in a different way. He may take a day if he needs, or even do his own thing. 

No matter how the two differ, they’ve grown together into the pillars of an organization looking to win its first World Series. 

“I saw it in Spring Training,” Bochy said of their development. “These guys were playing catch all the time together, spending time together. We're all different, but you learn to appreciate the differences and help those make you better. What makes him better? What makes him better? They're completely wired different. They are. But yet, they both have the same goals, and that's to be good teammates and play winning baseball. And that's what you appreciate about both of them.”

Now Seager and Semien have the chance to do exactly what they came to Texas to do: compete for a World Series.

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“Our goal last year was to be here,” Semien said. “Our lineup has matured, and experience has helped us get better. Corey and I have understood where we're at in Texas and what our routine is. We're just like clockwork now as a lineup.

“At this point, winning is everything to us. We've shown that we can go on hot streaks, and winning is contagious. We have players who have won World Series who know the feeling. … So everybody is hungry and ready to win, and that's what keeps us going.”