Rangers at the All-Star Break

[HornHuskerDad]

I'm not displeased. If we had been told in Spring training that the Rangers would be nine games over .500 and 1-1/2 games behind the Angels in second in the West, I'd have taken it and smiled.

The Angels may be a bit too talented to catch this year, but I think the Rangers can stay in the race through September. The pitching has been much better than we could have expected, and the defense is a bunch better. If there is any letdown, it would be the offense. Having had Josh on the DL took a lot of pop out of the lineup.

I'm looking forward to the second half. This year, it shouldn't be such a dead period until Longhorn football!

Thoughts and observations?

HornHuskerDad

 

[Texanne]

And the Rangers start the second half with a lot of home games,while the boys from LAA-LAA land are on the road. Sweet!

 

[Crockett]

After this last series I'm more worried about staying ahead of Seattle than catching LA. Man, the Mariners have some pitchers.

 

[TxnByBirth]

Hernandez, Washburn and Bedard have been stout this year for Seattle, but they have been injury prone. Be interesting to see if they can stay healthy and make a run for the wildcard at least. As a transplanted Texan it should be a fun second half to watch.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

So far it looks like the runner-up in the East - either New York or Boston - will get the Wild Card slot for the AL. A West team - Rangers, Angels, or Mariners - will have to win the division to get into the playoffs. It could go to any of the three. As noted, the Seattle pitchers have trouble staying healthy, and the Angels have both Hunter and Guerrero on the DL. Maybe the Rangers can get everyone healthy - and stay there - and pull it off. Should be interesting.

HHD

 

[CanaTigers]

I am happily surprised where the Rangers sit at this point. And the hardest part to believe is it has been done with pitching and defense. If they can maintain that the second half they have a chance, the bats are bound to come around.

 

[orangecat]

Pleasantly surprised, definitely, and very hopeful the Rangers front office doesn't get greedy and try to make a blockbuster trade that backfires. IMO they need to sit still this year, let this group of youngsters mature, stick with the original plan of being in the playoffs next year.

A couple of questions.

1. Will Millwood wilt in August? I think it's 50/50

2. Will Hamilton get his average back up where it belongs?

If these two things go the Rangers' way, it could get very interesting, maybe down to the last week.

If one of two don't go their way, my original 83-81 looks pretty close.

 

[orangecat]

oops, 83-79.

 

[centexorange]

Not happy they have started off with two freaking loses !!

 

[Texanne]

Yeah, the bats have gone back into hibernation. We can't seem to string together any consecutive hits, and we're leaving way too many LOB.

Texanne is getting upset!