2014 MLB Team Previews – Rangers
Since 2010, Texas has evolved into a perennial World Series contender, and after winning 91 games in 2013, it won’t be good enough if the Rangers cannot get into the playoffs this season.
Sportsbook’s Odds to Win
AL West: +190
American League: +800
World Series: +1400
That’s because after winning 93 games in 2012, the Rangers lost a play-in game to get to the wild-card game last year.
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So, this past offseason, the Rangers made some big changes to sweeten their chances at a title, which started with dealing long-time second baseman Ian Kinsler to the Tigers in exchange for All-Star slugger Prince Fielder.
Probable lineup
1. Shin-Soo Choo, LF
2. Elvis Andrus, SS
3. Prince Fielder, 1B
4. Adrian Beltre, 3B
5. Alex Rios, RF
6. Mitch Moreland, DH
7. Geovany Soto, C
8. Jurickson Profar, 2B
9. Leonys Martin, CF
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Along with the acquisition of lead-off man Shin-Soo Choo, the Rangers look completely different than they did in 2012, when the Rangers ranked seventh in runs and eighth in OPS. Still, it’s hard to tell if they will improve measurably.
Meanwhile, the starting rotation is probably Texas’ biggest weakness, at least health-wise.
Probable rotation
1. Yu Darvish
2. Alexi Ogando
3. Martin Perez
4. Tommy Hanson
5. Colby Lewis
Derek Holland, Martin Perez and Matt Harrison are all working on returning from injuries and Alexi Ogando has had shoulder issues in the past. Also, don’t forget the Colby Lewis didn’t pitch at all last season after elbow and hip surgeries.
That leaves a lot of question marks and only one “real” healthy starter — Cy Young candidate Yu Darvish.
With that, the Rangers bullpen is likely to see a bit more than its normal workload.
The Rangers ranked fourth in bullpen ERA, and first in save percentage in the majors last season, so it goes without saying that this was the team’s biggest strength.
And even though closer Joe Nathan is gone, if Neftali Feliz can return to pre-injury form, he can be plenty effective in replacing him.
The Rangers haven’t won fewer than 90 games since 2009, but it might be hard to keep up the pace going into this season due to the rotation injuries and a weak back-half of the lineup. Nevertheless, if Texas can get production out of its 7, 8, and 9 hitters and maintain a healthy starting three, it could find itself in contention come the second half.
At that point Harrison and Holland should be back to full strength, providing them with a little more in pitching depth to make a return to the postseason.
I expect the Rangers to finish with at least 85 wins, establishing themselves once again as a marquee franchise.
