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Written by Brian Hutton on Tuesday, 02 June 2009 16:28
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The Rangers currently sit at a 30-20 record and tonight they begin a huge, huge, HUGE roadtrip in New York and Boston. I've pointed out several big series already but this is easily the biggest test the Rangers have faced so far. If this team wants to prove themselves as a legit contender in the American League, and solidify their lead in the AL West, they have to play well against two perennial playoff teams.
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Written by Brian Hutton on Tuesday, 26 May 2009 13:29
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I'm not quite sure which was more deflating, losing all three games in Detroit or getting blown away by the Yankees in the first game of an important series. Phil Hughes made short work of the Rangers, shutting them out for 8 innings with only 101 pitches. This game was the perfect example of where the Rangers' season could go horribly wrong. Starting pitching gives up a big lead early and the offense is forced to hack at bad pitches in an attempt to catch up. It's a good thing the Houston series allowed the team to salvage the roadtrip. Let's just hope they can turn things around against the Yankees.
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Written by Brian Hutton on Tuesday, 19 May 2009 14:38
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I honestly cannot remember the last time the Rangers swept a homestand, not that I'm complaining. I said last week that the weekend series against the Angels provided the Rangers with an opportunity to make a statement, and the team responded better than could have been expected. Outside of the 9th inning on Friday, the Rangers won a series of close games. The Angels had some unfortunate luck, including John Lackey's unfair ejection after just two pitches and Josh Hamiltons spectacular off the wall catch on Sunday. That being said, Texas was able to add three wins which is all that matters at the end of the day.
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Written by Brian Hutton on Friday, 15 May 2009 17:22
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This team is really starting to convince me. Two walk off wins in a row and the pitching staff continues to impress. Matt Harrison's scoreless streak ended at 22 innings, but he threw his second consecutive complete game to earn the win. Chris Davis has started using a heavier bat in order to slow down is swing and the results so far have been impressive, as Davis continues to improve his numbers. We know the HR and K's will be there, but if he can continue to improve his average he will be a valuable part of the offense.
There are no doubt holes on this team, most notably the bullpen. However, if the starting rotation can continue to pitch deep into games that weakness becomes less of a concern. However, the Rangers have had a fairly easy schedule this far into the season, but the Angels series this weekend will be a huge test. The Rangers will face John Lackey and Ervin Santana in their first starts of the year. These are two of the elite starters in the league, and the Rangers have a huge opportunity to make a statement against them. Neither starter pitched in Spring Training and will naturally have some rust to shake off. If the Rangers can take two out of three this weekend they could really solidify themselves as a legit threat this season.
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Written by Brian Hutton on Wednesday, 06 May 2009 17:03
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A combination of rain delays and exams have made it difficult for me to discuss the many thoughts I've had watching Rangers' baseball the past week.
1. I love what I'm seeing out of Kevin Millwood. He is currently leading Zack Greinke in innings pitched (By a single out), currently holds a 3:1 K/BB ratio and a 2.78 ERA. Millwood appears as if he is genuinely motivated by Ryan and Maddux and his attitude is huge for the swagger of this rotation.
2. McCarthy, Harrison and Padilla all stepped huge in their last starts. The deeper the starters can go the less the team will have to depend on its shaky bullpen. These strong starts have slowly pulled the Rangers' out of the basement of staff ERA. Since Sunday the teams climbed from last to twenty fifth. Obviously, there is still plenty of room for improvement and the staff's continued success is huge to the teams success.
3. Elvis Andrus is incredible. His incredible throw in the ninth inning of Monday's game was unbelievable and it likely saved the game. Granted, the runner was probably safe, as it appears Davis's foot left the bag on his stretch. Nevertheless, history will remember it as an out and Elvis continues to show flashes of what he can do with both his glove and his bat.
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