Roy Oswalt made his debut as a Ranger last Friday and showed he’s already in midseason form after missing two months of the season.
Oswalt was rumored to be a Texas Rangers target since the end of last season. It was believed that Oswalt wanted to sign for either the Rangers or the Cardinals.
The offseason came and went with Oswalt still on the market, but the Rangers didn’t have a spot open in their rotation. After spending over $100 million to sign Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish, the Rangers were ready to head into the season with the starting five of: Yu Darvish, Colby Lewis, Derrick Holland, Matt Harrison and closer turned starter, Neftali Feliz.
Oswalt decided that he would be open to signing in the middle of the season and as it so happens in every baseball season, injuries started to plague teams throughout the league. Oswalt became a hotter commodity as more starting pitchers began to get injured.
The Rangers were one of those teams, as they had to put Neftali Feliz on the disabled list and on May 29, the Rangers signed Roy Oswalt before any other team with pitching injuries could.
Rangers’ fans are excited to have a pitcher of Oswalt’s pedigree, but there is one big question that most Rangers’ fans have about the signing. How long will it take the former Astro to get up to speed, after missing spring training, as well as nearly two months of the season?
The ace did not put up great numbers in his four minor league starts, but improved with each one. He felt he was ready to pitch in the majors and proved that when he got back on the mound. He only gave up one run over 6 2/3 innings pitched and showed his arm was still strong.
As long as Oswalt, who has a playoff ERA of 3.73, is in top form come playoff time, the
Rangers will be happy they made the midseason signing.
With the Rangers making it to back-to-back World Series, Oswalt will be judged like Cliff Lee; how he pitches in the playoffs, is more important than the regular season.
