THE RANGERS REPORT – June 2

THE RANGERS REPORT – June 2

Whether you bet on MLB odds or not, it’s hard not to enjoy a great summer of America’s pastime. Better yet, Major League Baseball has seen great parity so far; it seems almost every team is in the hunt. Included in that bunch: the upstart Texas Rangers. Are they for real? The first installment of the Rangers Report explores Nelson Cruz’s power surge, Josh Hamilton’s health and the surprising success of the pitching staff.

Season record: 30-20
AL West rank: 1
Current MLB odds to win World Series: 50 to 1

THE LINEUP

The Rangers are fourth in the American League in runs scored and first in homers. Yes, the big bats are bopping in Arlington; this is a recording. Ian Kinsler continues his torrid season, with seven RBI in his last 10 games, though his batting average continues so slip. Nelson Cruz is proving 2008’s minor-league power explosion was no fluke; he leads the team with 14 homers and shows no signs of slowing down, as six of those long flies have come in the last 10 games. The Bad news for Rangers odds supporters: Josh Hamilton could be on the verge of a DL stint. He underwent an MRI on his groin and abdomen yesterday and the results should be released later today. With Hamilton’s bat missing from the lineup, Chris Davis needs to be better. The slugger is still floating around the Mendoza line and has an absurd 77 strikeouts in 48 games. Eat your heart out, Mark Reynolds.

THE ROTATION

Is it Nolan Ryan’s new conditioning program? Whatever the reason, the Rangers’ pitching staff continues to surprise and is giving sportsbook odds makers fits. Fun fact: Texas’ May ERA was 3.57, the second-lowest for a single month since the Rangers moved into Rangers Ballpark in Arlington 15 years ago. Promising rookie Matt Harrison was placed on the DL with shoulder soreness this week but is only expected to miss the minimum amount of time. That’s a relief for the Rangers, as Harrison had a dominant stretch in early May, tossing two complete games and allowing two earned runs in a 23-inning stretch before the shoulder soreness got the better of him in his last couple of starts. Vincente Padilla will be activated from the DL today but, given his potential rustiness and the fact that he’s pitching at (gulp) Yankee Stadium, baseball betting fans should avoid the Rangers in sports wagering tonight.

THE BULLPEN

Yes, Frank Francisco finally allowed a run last weekend, but he’s 16 for 16 in save tries this season and hasn’t blown a save since becoming the full-time closer late last season. As long as he’s pitching like this (0.48 ERA, 18.2 IP, 19 K), the Rangers will have a chance to win every night.

OVERALL OUTLOOK

The Rangers are sitting pretty right now and have a respectable 4 ½-game cushion in the AL West. We know the bats will continue to mash, even with Hamilton hurting, but it remains to be seen if the pitching staff can keep up its brilliance. The Rangers’ MLB odds to win the West sure look good now, but the Angels are slowly getting healthy and creeping back into the race.