Rangers : Fearless forecast update

[orangecat1]

I predicted 81-81, and here we are in July and ....

WEST W L PCT GB HOME ROAD RS RA DIFF STRK L10
Texas 44 41 .518 - 24-18 20-23 404 382 +22


Prediction looked pretty silly at 9-1, but now 81-81 is looking pretty good.

imo, too many Rangers had "best year of career" type years for the success to continue.

 

[cochamps]

Your pick looks good. good luck to you and the Astros.

 

[PFD]

85 wins may win the AL West.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

As up-and-down as the Rangers have been, as many key injuries to the pitching staff, as spotty as the defense has been - it's the All-Star break and the Rangers are in first place in the AL West. And the Angels haven't been able to overtake them. One hot streak by the Rangers and they can put it away. How they will do in the playoffs is another thing.

HHD

 

[Rex Kramer]

Best year of their career? This is funny to me. The Rangers only won 90 games, and got 4 of those wins from Cliff Lee, to go with 6 losses. He literally did more harm than good in '10 until the playoffs began (when of course he took over the Tampa Bay and NYY series).

Let's go through the other guys who had good years:

- CJ. Well, despite his career year last year, he has managed to improve on both his winning % and ERA.
- Colby Lewis. Winning % slightly better, ERA slightly lower (with a horrendous start I might add, so ERA is trending upward). Call it a wash.
- Andrus. Better batting average and almost as many steals halfway through year as last year.
- Young. BA up nearly 50 points. On pace for over 100 RBI, over last year. Homers down.
- Kinsler. BA down 40 points, which has been disappointing. However he has regained his homer stroke. Homers are already up over last year's total (though he missed 50 games with injury) and RBI on pace to increase substantially.
- Nellie. He's down 66 points in BA, which is also disappointing. But he's just about equaled his homer total (20) and is on pace for over 100 RBI, far exceeding last year's total.
- Josh is also down 65 points BA. But he's been hurt, is still hitting .294, and the power is still there.
- Murphy - yeah, he's down, but I wouldn't call last year a career year.

After reviewing the above, I'd say the only guy who had a great year last year that has taken a marked dive this year is Josh, who was hurt for about 35 games, and is still have a decent year. He'll end up hitting .300 with 25 and 105 if he stays healthy.

I don't think anyone had a "career" year. Josh may have hit his career high in BA, but does anyone doubt he COULD hit .359 again? Anyone doubt he could hit 32 and 100 again?

You want to tell me Murph and Kinsler had career years last year?

The Rangers did not hit nearly as well as they could have last year. Beltre has essentially replaced Vlad as a third power guy in the lineup. If the bullpen holds up (big if), this team could easily win 90+ games this year. That (bullpen) is the big difference b/t this team and last year's regular season team.

Now, without a big stud like Lee in the lineup, I predict a quick exist from the playoffs, but that's another story.

 

[TheNewGuy]

Yeah "career year" is a bit of a stretch to say the least. Club has been up and down, but mostly due to injuries and young pitching. I expect a better 2nd half, but as most Ranger's fans, I'm not expecting too much from the post-season.

 

[Rex Kramer]

Quick "exit" from playoffs.