Is It Possible The Rangers Don't Suck?

L

LonghornLawyer

500+ Posts
I'm just thinking here, but five of their first six games have featured quality starts, including the Rangers' first complete game in 195 games (which, incidentally, because it's the Rangers, they lost). They scored 22 runs in three games at Anaheim, which isn't a hitters' park (though they only scored one run in the second game of the series, which led to them blowing Millwood's CG).

So that is to say that the pitching has been good, and the hitting has been good. The fielding still sucks, but you can't have it all, I suppose.

So here's the question--it is possible that the Rangers may not completely suck?
 
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Does Ralph really need to say it?
 
LL: In a word, no. It is not possible that the Rangers do not suck.

Moreover, after 36 years of consistent branding of the team as lovable losers, you would think that you the consumer would have bought into the brand that the Rangers have worked so hard to cultivate. I am disappointed that their efforts appear to have been in vain, as you seem to continue to have some measure of hope that the team will someday not suck. Clearly, the branding campaign has failed.
 
I almost made this post with the exact same title yesterday. It's not out of the realm of possibility that they keep this up. Sans the flu-ridden middle infield, everybody pretty much played up to their potential this week.
 
A few things...our offense is going to get better and our SP is not going to be this good all season.

1. We have a TOTALLY different approach to hitting. We have cut down on K's and have increased pitch counts against good pitchers.
2. Padilla/Millwood have been better than 2006. I actually like the Padilla signing. He usually goes after hitters and isn't afraid to challenge. He's going to get pounded some since his control isn't good enough to get away with everything but his stuff is good enough to get guys out consistently.
3. On the road trip we faced K Felix, E Bedard and J Weaver. Not bad to go 3-3.

It's April 7th but here are some things I don't like:

M Byrd-love his hustle, love his attitude but we need to replace him.
F Cat-just get rid of him. I'd rather see Botts out there or some young guy than F Cat.

Guys I heart:
D Murphy-he can hit lefties and he plays a good LF. If anything, a great 3rd/4th OF who can be a great role player
I also REALLY like keeping Vasquez. He can play all 4 IF positions and hits left-handed.
 
I like watching this team so far. I am sure they won't make the playoffs but at least they are fun to watch. I think they could push for 2nd in the West. Seattle is overrated and Oakland sucks.
 
Selig put out an edict that the good teams needed to lose to inferior teams to start the season. Something about selling more tickets in the poor markets. How else to explain the Rangers, and the Orioles, and the White Sox, and the Cardinals. Hell, even the Pirates and the Marlins are 3-3.

Nothing like a little Aggy wishful thinking to start a season.
 
Long-time Ranger fan/apologist here...I'm cautiously optimistic we can reach .500 this year, but not holding my breath. I'd love to be "overrated" like Seattle.....their number FIVE starter won 16 games last year.
 
It will be a GOOD year for the Rangers if -(1) record 76-86 or better
(2) avoid major injuries
(3) finish 3rd in AL West
(4) Selective trades at deadline to bring in prospect pitchers.

It will be a GREAT year for the Rangers if -
(1) 81-81 or better
(2) no major injuries
(3) 2nd in AL West
(4) Selective trades for prospect/ML-ready pitchers
(5) No dumb trades of top prospects for quick fixes.

JD, stay the course! No quick fixes if the Rangers are a couple of games out at the All-Star break. Continue to develop the minor leagues and be patient.

Although I can't make it to Opening Day today, I will be following the Rangers all year and I will make a few games at The Ballpark (although they've nixed my favorite backroad shortcut by turning the south lot into Season Parking).

Spring is here! It's Opening Day!!!
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HornHuskerDad
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With the Rangers it is always best to wait until August. What you see at the beginning of the season rarely matches what you see in the dog days of summer.
 
Well, Padilla has looked okay so far and Millwood has looked very good so far. The same problems will plague us that plague us every year:

1) Lots of K's on offense
2) ERA over 5 (starters over 6.00?)
3) Questionable Defense
4) Lack of clutch hitting

That being said, I dont think they will be as bad as people think this year, but in no way, will they be in the playoffs or anything. Im thinking 77-85.
 
Ian Kinsler is absolutely horrible. First he decides that he's too good to leg out a double play (his second of the day), which cost us a run. And then the next inning he commits yet another error, which cost us another two runs.

Great fifteen minutes of work, there. Because of Ian Kinsler's suckiness, the game went from a managable 6-2 to an 8-1 blowout.
 
On the bright side, I discovered that the Rangers now serve Hebrew National hot dogs at every concession stand instead of just 2 or 3 locations.

This pleases me.
 
LLawyer,

I think we should pull for Kinsler to have a stellar 1st half and trade him. He's got a VERY tradable contract and I think if he's hitting .300 with some good OBP and other offensive #s someone will move a #3 starter for him.

One thing to note on Laird once again is he throws out runners. Good defense makes hitting .230 = Brad Notawesomeness
 
It's hard not to be encouraged by Millwood's start to the season. He was able to battle out there without his best stuff today (and I thought he was getting squeezed a bit) but still came away with an excellent outing. We haven't seen too many starts like that out of Millwood the last two seasons. Generally, if he didn't have his best stuff, he got lit up early and often.
 
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