Halfway Home: A look at the Texas Rangers through 81 games
July 5, 2010 by Cody Dunlap · Leave a Comment
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.
The Wolfpack: Analyzing the Texas Rangers’ bullpen
May 24, 2010 by Cody Dunlap · Leave a Comment
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.
The Return of Nelson Cruz
May 14, 2010 by Cody Dunlap · Leave a Comment
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
Rangers Ownership Situation: This Could Get Ugly
May 11, 2010 by Matt Lawrence · Leave a Comment
I have published a few posts on the different situations that may play out for the Texas Rangers ownership situation and it looks like the worst situation won. This however should not be a surprise when you look at how big of a moron the current owner Tom Hicks is. The Rangers situation has gotten so bad under Hicks that the latest offer to the over 40 lenders was rejected again.
Don’t Blame the Lenders
You can’t get mad at the lenders for rejecting the deal again, if you think about it why would they accept pennies on the dollar. Each lender entered into an agreement with the Hicks Sports Group and the terms of their agreements were broken by HSG and because of that they are now being offered less money than their original agreement was worth. Hardly seems fair, but when you lend money to a moron like Hicks or a sports team in general you are playing with fire.
What Now?
Bud Selig and MLB have had enough of Tom Hicks, who doesn’t want the deal to go through because he found a more lucrative opportunity after he entered into an exclusive agreement with the group headed by Nolan Ryan and Chuck Greenberg. The law is on MLB’s side as well, with precedence being set recently with the Phoenix Coyotes. The rumor is that MLB will take over the Rangers by the end of this week, which conveniently is the week of the owners meetings.
Return of Ian Kinsler sparks Texas Rangers
May 1, 2010 by Cody Dunlap · Leave a Comment
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
Texas Rangers May Tickets & TV Schedule
April 29, 2010 by Matt Lawrence · Leave a Comment
The Texas Rangers definitely haven’t looked like the team that showed so much promise last year, but their recent play has been improving. The Rangers have recieved solid play from Vladimir Guerrero, Nelson Cruz, and it appears as if Josh Hamilton’s bat might finally be waking up. This sets up the Rangers to make a rebound in May. That is assuming that the starting pitching can hold up like it has so far, the Rangers bullpen has been having trouble closing out games, but hopefully Feliz and Francisco can get it figured out soon.
Ian Kinsler will return from his high ankle sprain soon, but his return will be offset by Nelson Cruz heading to the DL with a hamstring injury. Cruz could return to the team as soon as May 12, so we could see the starting lineup completely healthy for the first time this season in May. Starting pitcher Tommy Hunter is set to start a Rehab assignment soon and if everything goes well he could join the team in Late May.
The Rangers need to get the bullpen and the offense going as the team finally starts to get healthy. If the Rangers stay healthy in May, I think that they will start to move up the AL West standings.
- Game 1: Friday – April 30 2010
Time: 9:10 PM
TV Channel: TXA-21 HD - Game 2: Saturday – May 1 2010
Time: 2:10 PM
TV Channel: FOX - Game 3: Sunday – May 2 2010
Time: 3:10 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW
Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners | Road Games
- Game 1: Monday – May 3 2010
Time: 9:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW - Game 2: Tuesday – May 4 2010
Time: 9:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sport SW - Game 3: Wednesday – May 5 2010
Time: 2:35 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW
Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics | Road Games
- Game 1: Thursday – May 6 2010
Time: 7:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW - Game 2: Friday – May 7 2010
Time: 7:05 PM
TV Channel: TXA-21 - Game 3: Saturday – May 8 2010
Time: 7:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW - Game 4: Sunday – May 9 2010
Time: 2:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW
Texas Rangers vs Kansas City Royals | Home Games
Texas Rangers Tickets on StubHub.com!
- Game 1: Tuesday – May 11 2010
Time: 7:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW - Game 2: Wednesday – May 12 2010
Time: 7:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW - Game 3: Thursday – May 13 2010
Time: 1:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW
Texas Rangers vs Oakland Athletics | Home Games
Texas Rangers Tickets on StubHub.com!
- Game 1: Friday – May 14 2010
Time: 6:07 PM
TV Channel: TXA-21 - Game 2: Saturday – May 15 2010
Time: 12:07 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW - Game 3: Sunday – May 16 2010
Time: 12:07 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW
Texas Rangers at Toronto Blue Jays | Road Games
- Game 1: Monday – May 17 2010
Time: 7:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW - Game 2: Tuesday – May 18 2010
Time: 7:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW
Texas Rangers vs Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | Home Games
Texas Rangers Tickets on StubHub.com!
- Game 1: Wednesday – May 19 2010
Time: 7:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW - Game 2: Thursday – May 20 2010
Time: 7:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW
Texas Rangers vs Baltimore Orioles | Home Games
Texas Rangers Tickets on StubHub.com!
- Game 1: Friday – May 21 2010
Time: 7:05 PM
TV Channel: TXA-21 HD - Game 2: Saturday – May 22 2010
Time: 6:10 PM
TV Channel: FOX - Game 3: Sunday – May 23 2010
Time: 1:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW
Texas Rangers vs Chicago Cubs | Home Games
Texas Rangers Tickets on StubHub.com!
- Game 1: Tuesday – May 25 2010
Time: 7:10 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW - Game 2: Wednesday – May 26 2010
Time: 1:10 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW
Texas Rangers at Kansas City Royals | Road Games
- Game 1: Friday – May 28 2010
Time: 7:10 PM
TV Channel: TXA-21 HD - Game 2: Saturday – May 29 2010
Time: 3:10 PM
TV Channel: FOX - Game 3: Sunday – May 30 2010
Time: 7:05 PM
TV Channel: ESPN2
Texas Rangers at Minnesota Twins | Road Games
Encouraging Signs from the Texas Rangers
April 26, 2010 by Cody Dunlap · Leave a Comment
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.
The Nature of Obsession
April 16, 2010 by Cody Dunlap · Leave a Comment
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.
April 8, 2010 by Cody Dunlap · Leave a Comment
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?
Texas Rangers 2010 TV & Tickets – April Schedule
April 5, 2010 by Matt Lawrence · Leave a Comment
The baseball season is upon us, and you should be excited to watch your Texas Rangers in the 2010-2011 season. The roster looks a little different with the departure of Marlon Byrd to the Cubs, Kevin Millwood to the Orioles, and Pudge…..well again. However in spite of having a certifiable douche in owner Tom Hicks, the Rangers were able to bring in some decent names to replace the players we lost. Vladimir Guerrero will be the teams DH this season, and as you know he has always hit well at the ballpark in Arlington. To replace Millwood the Rangers inked Rich Harden, who has better stuff, but is injury prone. The Rangers success this season will definitely depend on avoiding major injuries. The 2010-2011 Rangers main weakness at the start of the season is infield depth.
Now that your caught up on your Rangers offseason changes here is the 2010-2011 Rangers TV Schedule.
- Game 1: Monday – April 5 2010
Time:1:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW - Game 2: Wednesday – April 7 2010
Time:7:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW - Game 3: Monday – April 8 2010
Time:1:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW
Texas Rangers vs Toronto Blue Jays | Home Series
Tickets: Rangers Blue Jays Tickets at StubHub!
- Game 1: Friday – April 9 2010
Time: 7:05 PM
TV Channel: TXA-21 - Game 2: Saturday – April 10 2010
Time: 2:10 PM
TV Channel: Fox - Game 3: Sunday – April 11 2010
Time: 2:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW
Texas Rangers vs Seattle Mariners | Home Series
Tickets: Rangers Mariners Tickets at StubHub!
- Game 1: Monday – April 12 2010
Time: 2:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW - Game 2: Wednesday – April 14 2010
Time: 6:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW - Game 3: Thursday – April 15 2010
Time: 11:05 AM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW
Texas Rangers at Cleveland Indians | Road Series
- Game 1: Friday – April 16 2010
Time: 6:05 PM
TV Channel: TXA-21 - Game 2: Saturday – April 17 2010
Time: 12:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW - Game 3: Sunday – April 18 2010
Time: 12:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW - Game 1: Tuesday – April 20 2010
Time: 6:10 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW - Game 2: Wednesday – April 21 2010
Time: 6:10 PM
TV Channel:Fox Sports SW - Game 3: Thursday – April 22 2010
Time: 6:10 PM
TV Channel:Fox Sports SW - Game 1: Friday – April 23 2010
Time: 7:05 PM
TV Channel: TXA-21 - Game 2: Saturday – April 24 2010
Time: 7:05 PM
TV Channel:Fox Sport SW - Game 3: Sunday – April 25 2010
Time: 2:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW - Game 4: Monday – April 26 2010
Time: 7:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW - Game 1: Tuesday – April 27 2010
Time: 7:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW - Game 2: Wednesday – April 28 2010
Time: 7:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW - Game 3: Thursday – April 29 2010
Time: 1:05 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW - Game 1: Friday – April 30 2010
Time: 9:10 PM
TV Channel:TXA-21 - Game 2: Saturday – May 1 2010
Time: 2:10 PM
TV Channel: FOX - Game 3: Sunday – May 2 2010
Time: 3:10 PM
TV Channel: Fox Sports SW
Texas Rangers at New York Yankees | Road Series
Texas Rangers at Boston Red Sox | Road Series
Texas Rangers vs Detroit Tigers | Home Series
Tickets: Rangers Tigers Tickets at StubHub!
Texas Rangers vs Chicago White Sox | Home Series
Tickets: Rangers White Sox Tickets at StubHub!
