As the Texas Rangers gear up for the remainder of the season, let us take a look back at how things fared before the All Star break.
There were 394 pitchers who went on the disabled list before the break, 96.7% of those pitchers were Rangers' starters. Seriously, the pitching staff was hammered and hampered by injuries. When the rotation consists of Yu Darvish, Derek Holland, and, take your pick of Grimm, Lindblom, Tepesch, Wolf, or the neighbor kid down the street, that the Rangers are where they are is commendable.
And where are they? Thirteen games above .500 and two games back of Oakland in the AL West. Plenty of time and games still left.
The offense on the other hand, meh. Sure Ian Kinsler and Mitch Moreland both joined the pitching staff on the DL, but the offense has wasted many good pitching performances. Nobody ever won a game scoring zero runs.
The bullpen, while overworked and overexposed at times, has really held it together. Kudos to Joe Nathan, Robbie Ross, Tanner Scheppers, et al.
Going forward, Lance Berkman can't be counted on to stay healthy and even if he is, can he even hit?
Elvis Andrus and David Murphy need to figure it out at the plate. And quickly.
Alexi Ogando seems ready to return, but will the Rangers ever see Matt Harrison, Colby Lewis or Neftali Feliz on the field this season? We would proceed thinking not.
The trade deadline looms. The Rangers need another starting pitcher and a right-handed bat.
This is still a very good team. And instead of all those clamoring for manager Ron Washington to be fired, here in the Cheap Seats, we think he has done a tremendous job of getting the Rangers where they are right now. Give us a better available option. Or would you rather have Bobby Valentine? Puh-leeeeze!
The second half starts tonight. Sit back and enjoy, it's going to be a fun ride no matter how it turns out.
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