The Texas Rangers (50-38) are in first place going into the All-Star break with a 4.5 game lead over the Angels. They have the largest lead over second place of any team in the league, yet many fans aren’t satisfied going into the break. They just got swept in four games by the Baltimore Orioles, who have the worst record in the league. I think Texas should have an even bigger lead. I hate to bring it up, but the Rangers have a history of falling off in the second half of the season. I don’t believe that will happen this year, but the thought entered my mind.
Last Friday, the Rangers made what is probably the biggest trade ever in team history. The word that morning across the Internet was the Yankees had worked out a trade to acquire ace pitcher Cliff Lee from the Seattle Mariners. Just what they need--another pitcher. It turned out to be a bad week to be a New York fan. No LeBron James. No Cliff Lee. Texas stepped up at the last minute and finally acquired an ace pitcher.
They gave up Justin Smoak and three minor league players, which is not bad for a much needed ace. In my opinion, he is the best pitcher the Rangers have had since Nolan Ryan. He leads the AL in complete games with six and has four in his last five starts. In 112.2 innings pitched this year, he only has given up six walks. He won the 2008 Cy Young Award with the Cleveland Indians and posted a 22-3 record with a 2.54 ERA. Last year while a member of the Philadelphia Phillies he went 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five postseason starts. He was 2-0 against the Yankees in the World Series, the only two wins for Philadelphia.
The Rangers will be represented by a team record six players in the All-Star game. Vladimir Guerrero was any easy choice for DH winning the vote by over 2 million votes. Josh Hamilton is a starter in the outfield for the third year in a row. At the break, he is tied for first in all of baseball with .346 average, second in home runs with 22, and fourth in the AL with RBI’s with 64. Elvis Andrus is making his first appearance and is only 21-years-old. He was selected via player voting. Ian Kinsler started the season on the DL but has made a nice return batting .310. Neftali Feliz is just the third Ranger rookie ever selected to an All Star team. He is tied for second in saves in the AL with 23, which is 11 more than the previous rookie franchise record. Cliff Lee will represent the Rangers after only one appearance, which is the fewest ever for a player to represent a team in an All-Star game.
The biggest disappointment of the year is without a doubt Rich Harden. In 13 starts, he is 3-3, only managed 65 innings, and has 43 walks. He’s currently working his way back from an injury, but if he doesn’t get his pitching together, I think he will be released before the season is over.
The off-the-field issue with Ron Washington before the season began is just a memory now. Winning cures all and he has the players’ utmost respect. The trade deadline is July 31st and nothing will get done unless a new owner is determined by then. I am expecting big things in the second half of the season. Can you say PLAYOFFS?
