Having fallen just short of the World Series title the past two years, The Rangers’ are hoping that the third time is the charm. According to ESPN’s morning talk shows, the Rangers’ batting lineup is one of the most potent in the game. Their pitching staff is also among the top in the league, putting them already as an early contender in the playoffs. With a seemingly solid line up, will the Rangers end up going all the way, or fall short for the third time? I firmly believe they will go all the way this time.
Among the new talent on the Rangers, are Yu Darvish and the new rookie Robbie Ross. Although pitchers like Darvish and veteran Joe Nathan started off the season a little rough, with Nathan accounting for two of the Rangers’ six losses to date while he was on the mound, the Rangers’ bats have certainly helped pick up the slack.
With outfielder Josh Hamilton leading the way with a .400 average and leadoff hitter and second basemen Ian Kinsler pulling his own weight with only a few strikeouts all season, the Rangers’ lineup is a scary match up for most teams. It seems as though no matter where they are in the lineup, the team can deliver that clutch hit when they need to.
The only thing that is still undecided about the Rangers is their starting lineup. Since it is still early in the season, manager Ron Washington is still trying out new things, trying to give everyone playing time, and trying to find the ultimate defensive lineup that will take them deep into playoffs. Designating Kinsler as only a hitter, moving DH Michael Young to second, and playing Brandon Snyder and Alberto Gonzalez are just a few of the ways the Rangers are experimenting with their roster.
Outfielders Hamilton, David Murphy, Craig Gentry, and Nelson Cruz are rotating around the outfield as well. Hamilton is moving between center and left, Gentry is moving from center to bench, and Murphy and Cruz are battling for left and right.
Yorvit Torrealba and Mike Napoli are still competing for the position of catcher as well. Trying to find the ideal person behind the plate seems to be a problem. When Napoli is catching, Torrealba plays first and vice versa, leaving last year’s first basemen Mitch Moreland on the bench for the majority of the time.
All in all, the Rangers are definitely having a fantastic start to the 2012 season already and are proving the pre-season predictions of success. With the pitchers calming down, the bats staying hot, and the fans being as supportive as ever, the Rangers are starting to look as though nothing can stop them this year.
