Halfway Home: A look at the Texas Rangers through 81 games

The Texas Rangers are 48-33 halfway through the MLB season. I continue to remind myself of this fact despite the recent four losses in six games.

Perhaps this is a loser’s mentality. Perhaps I shouldn’t be as thrilled that the Rangers are 15 games above .500, and have a 3.5 game lead in the AL West.

But I can’t help myself. I’ve been waiting for a team like this for so long, I just don’t know what to do with myself.

Keep on reading for some thoughts on each part of the Texas Rangers.

Read more

The Wolfpack: Analyzing the Texas Rangers’ bullpen

A bullpen is a very fickle creature. It must be treated with care and respect, not loathing and contempt.

Except for guys who can’t throw strikes. They need to be dreaded.

The Texas Rangers‘ bullpen had a bad April. It was full of guys who gave up too many hits, couldn’t throw strikes and generally just sucked.

In May, they’ve been much better, locking down a lot of leads in a seemingly endless string of close games.

But are there reasons to be concerned? An explanation after the jump.

Read more

The Return of Nelson Cruz

It’s unfortunate that we haven’t gotten that Andrew Bailey-Nelson Cruz matchup we’ve been looking forward to so much. Just missed it by a day.

But as the Texas Rangers pass through customs for a relatively big series against the surprising Toronto Blue Jays, all I’ve got to say is one thing:

The boomstick is back, baby.

(Well, okay, maybe more than one thing.) Read more

Return of Ian Kinsler sparks Texas Rangers

Man it sure is nice to get quality starts on a consistent basis.

There are a lot of people who think that stat is flawed – and it is – but its main use is to determine whether or not a pitcher kept his team in the game.

Each of the last five games, the Rangers starters have done that.

Their record in those games?

4-1. Read more

Encouraging Signs from the Texas Rangers

Not sure that six game losing streak was what Jon Daniels had in mind.

Of course, because it’s baseball, not a lot has gone the way the Texas Rangers expected through the first few weeks of the season.

We’re 18 games in, so let’s take a brief look at how everybody for the Texas Rangers is doing so far in the young campaign.

Read more

The Nature of Obsession

As I sat in class yesterday morning, a group project that I was a part of came on in front of the class.

Part of the project was a narration of something on camera. That something just so happened to be the Rangers’ 6-2 win Wednesday night over the Indians.

This was not the first instance of the Rangers being shown in one of our group projects. We’re only three weeks into the quarter. I can trust that you, humble reader, can determine what my reputation has become in this class. Read more

Remember when the Rangers could hit? Me neither.

That was the most deceiving 3-1 game of all time. It’s unbelievable how close the Rangers were to winning that game today. The starting lineup today had probably about 3 guys who should be in a major league starting lineup. Vlad and Nellie are the only ones who seem like they can even touch the ball. I’ll throw Young in there for good measure, but he looks bad too.

I know the Rangers are only three games into the season. I know there’s a long way to go and things will change a lot between now and then.

But right now, this is one of the three worst teams in the American League. Perhaps even in baseball.

The offense is easily the worst in the game. Clearly the Blue Jays and MVP candidate Vernon Wells are better, but the Royals are really the only other American League team that comes close. If this team is not getting hits, they can’t win. Today was probably one of the better days the team will have all season when it comes to drawing walks – and it drew a total of four. Even Davis and Hamilton drew walks!

In the National League, the Astros and Padres aren’t good either. San Diego at least has Adrian Gonzalez. Houston, well, they have Hunter Pence and Carlos Lee.

I never in my life thought I would see the day where the Rangers offense would be the worst in baseball. But I honestly feel that they are. Today: Vlad gets a single in the second and Nelson follows it up with a double. Second and third, no one out. Murphy, Teagarden and Blanco coming up. Nothing.

THE ONLY RUN SCORED TODAY WAS ON A WILD PITCH!!!!

Murphy is the only one of those three that even has a chance to knock the runs in, in my opinion. Just knock the runs in! Forget getting a hit – a sacrifice fly in that situation would be just fine. But no. Ground out, K, ground out.

Maybe they’re just pressing. Maybe it was just a bad series. Maybe Toronto actually is decent. (Cue the Gus Johnson laugh.)

Josh Hamilton hasn’t been the same since the Home Run Derby. Chris Davis didn’t even play because of a lefty on the mound. David Murphy actually did have a hit, and scored a run, but was lifted as part of a double switch later. Elvis Andrus and Julio Borbon both look like they shouldn’t be above AAA at best. None of the catchers can even touch the ball.

Obviously Ian Kinsler is out, but he won’t be back anytime soon. And really, the problem is not something that Ian is spectacular at – this team just doesn’t get on base enough.

But it is early. Win the series against the Mariners and we can all breathe a little bit easier.

Hey, at least CJ looked good, right? And Neftali? That was pretty sweet.

Too late to bring Rudy back?

Don’t Think, Meat. You’ll Just Hurt the Ball Club.

Somehow it’s fitting that this classic Crash Davis line could apply to the Texas Rangers this year. I have overanalyzed this team to the point that I have gone from convinced that this team will win the division to sure that they’ll finish last to my current opinion that they have the best chance of anyone.

Needless to say, I’ve spent a little bit of time thinking about this upcoming baseball season.

Read more

Live From Surprise!

We’ve got about two weeks until Opening Day here at Dallas Sports Fans, so I thought a report from Surprise Recreation Campus would whet your appetite a little bit for some Rangers Baseball! Don’t worry about that whole Ron Washington story out here – the weather’s too nice.

Out here in Surprise at Texas Rangers Spring Training, the biggest worry is who’s going to fill out the rotation (a usually impossible task for the local franchise). Rich Harden, Scott Feldman and Colby Lewis look to have spots filled up right now, with Tommy Hunter being penciled in for the fourth position up until yesterday (or what seemed like yesterday).

Two spots are open, with Derek Holland, Brandon McCarthy, C.J. Wilson and Matt Harrison gunning for the last two spots.

Well, after today, it’s down to three candidates.

I want Derek Holland to do well. I think he has the stuff to be an anchor for the Texas Rangers’ rotation in the future. But he is not ready right now. If this team is really going to compete for an AL West title like we all hope they will, Derek Holland is not currently one of the starters that will get them there.

He pitched four innings today against the Dodgers, surrendering three runs on four hits and one walk. All the runs were scored in one inning, with the big blow being a double coming off the bat of Lucas May and going over David Murphy’s head.

There were a bevy of ground balls, but there were no strikeouts, as the Rangers fell 5-4. He was constantly behind the hitters and failed to put any of them away. Still, he doesn’t even turn 24 until October, so there’s no need to panic. Let Derek work on his secondary stuff in Oklahoma City and let him be in a rotation every fifth day.

I certainly don’t want to incite any nervousness in the Texas Rangers fan base, but there are small doubts that are creeping into my mind about this crop of talent the Texas Rangers have turned into one of the best farm systems in the big leagues.

Derek Holland didn’t quite take the leap some were expecting. Justin Smoak was hurt by an oblique injury early on, and didn’t exactly have gaudy power numbers. Feliz had the most electrifying debut, but the debate over whether his future is as a starter or a reliever is just as strong as ever. Of course there are other prospects, but it’s hard to argue that these three are the most vital to the short and long term success of the franchise.

Are these doubts completely irrational? Absolutely. It’s far too early to make any kind of lasting judgment on what these youngsters will become. Derek Holland has thrown 61 minor league innings above A-ball. Not exactly the most experienced starter in the organization. Neftali Feliz and Justin Smoak are 21 and 23 years old, respectively. There’s still SO much time for these guys to develop. It’s silly to have doubts, but I suppose I’m just a disillusioned Rangers fan.

Back to the positives, because hope springs eternal.

David Murphy had a very nice game, knocking a homer and a triple in his first two at-bats. His center field play was not spectacular, but hopefully there won’t be a huge need for him to play center field this year.

Colby Lewis looked great after a shaky first inning when he allowed three baserunners and one run. He struck out six in five innings, was around the plate all day (one walk), and was changing speeds pretty effectively, getting a couple of nice swinging strikeouts.

Taylor Teagarden had a nice opposite field double off the wall that almost left the yard, but looked overmatched in his second at-bat.

Only one-third of the *hopeful* Opening Day lineup was there today, with Hamilton, Cruz and Davis all taking their hacks. Matt Brown had another home run, but his fielding has been a bit of a problem (which is like saying a plague of locusts is a bit of a nuisance), so his destination looks like AAA or another organization.

As for that whole rotation question, I think that the Texas Rangers have a tough call to make, especially with Tommy Hunter hurting his rib cage and likely heading for the disabled list. The two leaders for the last two spots are Matt Harrison and C.J. Wilson, and I have no problem with those two guys as the last two starters for the Rangers.

The problem is that Tommy Hunter (knock on wood) will not be hurt for a long period of time. The last starter only needs to be a guy that can fill in and head back to the bullpen when Hunter is healthy again. That’s a role I don’t particularly want to see C.J. Wilson in, for the simple reason of clarity.

C.J. Wilson, not unlike Derek Holland, should have a defined role on the team. Whether that’s in the bullpen or the rotation remains to be seen, but I think it would be cruel to give C.J. Wilson a fair shot to start in spring training, have him win a job, and then send him back to the bullpen after two to three starts. Especially if those turn out to be two or three solid starts.

The Texas Rangers have some tough decisions to make. Wilson heads to the mound again Monday against the Giants – things should be a little clearer after that. I’ll have one more report tomorrow after the game against the San Diego Padres.

Until then, the countdown sits at 15 days.

Mountain View Pain Center is committed to relieving your pain by combining expert advice, the highest quality chiropractic care currently available, advanced soft tissue work and state-of-the-art rehabilitation programs. At our office you will experience the benefits of a dynamic team approach and receive a level of care which is virtually unmatched elsewhere. With this powerful combination we can dramatically improve your life and the lives of your friends and family. The Mountain View Pain Center is located in Centennial, CO which allows us to provide convenient chiropractic care and rehabilitation treatment in Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Parker, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Cherry Hills, Lone Tree, and Green Wood Village.

Ron Washington Tests Positive for Cocaine

Certainly not the way I expected my Wednesday to go. SI’s Jon Heyman reported today that Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington tested positive for cocaine during the 2009 season.

My first reaction was uh-oh. This means a lot of reporters crawling over the complex, distracting everybody with all these questions. I know somebody who certainly didn’t need this is Josh Hamilton.

As I write this, C.J. Wilson just made a great point about Wash’s job security: If the Rangers were going to fire him, they would have done it when Ron went to the team last year.

Follow the jump for more. Read more

Next Page »