THE RANGERS REPORT – August 18

As the UFC 102 fight card approaches, it’s hard not to cheer for underdogs like Thiago Silva. After all, teams like the Texas Rangers, who continue to defy the odds, are inspiring us. They remain in the thick of the American League Wildcard race, leading Boston by one game Through Monday. Do they have the horses to hold off the Red Sox?

Current record: 67-50
AL West rank: 2
AL Wildcard rank: 1
Odds to win World Series: 10 to 1

THE LINEUP

The Rangers’ World Series odds are the best they’ve been all season (better than the Cowboys’ Super Bowl odds in NFL betting), and a big reason why is the offensive turnaround. Josh Hamilton has returned to being the middle-of-the-order presence Texas depends on him to be. Since August 3, he’s hitting .453 with a .503 on-base percentage.

The Rangers welcomed two familiar faces back to the lineup this week in very different ways. First, they activated Ian Kinsler from the 15-day DL and eventually reinserted him into the leadoff spot. Then, they acquired longtime leader and Future Hall of Famer Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez in a deal with Houston. Pudge is reportedly content with playing a backup role.

We’re overdue to give props to Marlon Byrd; the stumpy outfielder has set career highs in homers and doubles, ranking fourth in the AL in the latter category. If he keeps rapping out extra-base hits, he won’t be the one losing playing time when Nelson Cruz returns from the DL (which could be this week).

More ego stroking! The Rangers also set a club record for steals in a game with eight against Boston on August 15. Elvis Andrus and rookie Julio Borbon combined for seven of them.

THE ROTATION

Betting software didn’t predict for it to happen so soon, but Derek Holland’s breakout continues. After beating the Red Sox on the weekend, he has a 2.25 ERA in August. If the Rangers are to make the playoffs and do any damage, they need Holland to keep up the good work.

THE BULLPEN

Not that any baseball picks experts predicted anything less, but it’s exciting to see what Neftali Feliz is doing. He became the youngest-ever Ranger to record a save (Age 21) on Saturday and his stat line now reads like this: 10 innings pitched, one save, four holds, one earned run, 16 strikeouts. Think the Rangers were smart to call the kid up?

OVERALL OUTLOOK

The original thinking was that Rangers couldn’t make the playoffs because they lacked the pitching depth and offensive consistency. Suddenly, the bats are hot when it matters and the young arms are ahead of schedule. Texas seems poised to fight tooth and nail for that Wild Card.