Post by EricFerr - TEX on May 25, 2018 17:10:35 GMT
Arlington, TX - Sitting on top of the AL West are the Texas Rangers. In fact, the Rangers are off to a hot start that sees them on top of the American League. While still early in the season, there is a lot to build off of moving forward. Most teams would be lucky to have a lineup performing at 100%, but for the Rangers there are some improvements that still need to happen.
While hitting has not been a concern, the lack of power in the lineup has. The team was built with Power and On-Base ability. While Walks have not been an issue (1st in AL), their lack of Power (6th in AL) was surprising. It has not stopped the Rangers from scoring runs as they lead the American League in Runs Scored, but the lineup will just get more potent if the Power comes around.
Leading the way for Texas has been designated hitter Asdrubal Cabrera. He is hitting .340 so far this season with 1 HR and 14 RBIs. His 14 RBI's sit on top of the American League. Following Cabrera has been Catcher Max Stassi, who is hitting .389 with 3 HRs and 10 RBIs. While production for these two players may not be sustainable, the lack of production out of Bryce Harper and Eric Thames should more then make up for it.
Bryce Harper had a rough start to the season but has picked it up as of late. His is now hitting .261 with 2 HRs and 6 RBIs. It wasn't until game 7 where Harper would get his first Run Batted In. He was hitting under .200 for the first 10 games of the season. Eric Thames on the other hand is still struggling, but finds himself being somewhat productive in the RBI category. He is hitting .200 with 0 HRs and 7 RBIs. He is at risk of losing his spot in the lineup if Jefry Marte can pick it up.
The Rangers pitching staff has gone toe-to-toe with the offense. Jon Lester has been lights out so far this season with a record of 2-0, an ERA of 0.86 and a WHIP of 0.57. His counterpart Jose Quintana has not been as lucky, with a record of 1-2 and an ERA over 6. Picking up the slack for Quintana has been Kendall Gravemen. Gravemen leads the MLB with 3 wins this season, and is pitching to the tune of 2.95 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP.
While the offense and pitching has been great, let's not forget the teams defense. The Rangers currently have the #1 ranked defense in the American League. All of this is a recipe for a team to be a legitimate contender.
While hitting has not been a concern, the lack of power in the lineup has. The team was built with Power and On-Base ability. While Walks have not been an issue (1st in AL), their lack of Power (6th in AL) was surprising. It has not stopped the Rangers from scoring runs as they lead the American League in Runs Scored, but the lineup will just get more potent if the Power comes around.
Leading the way for Texas has been designated hitter Asdrubal Cabrera. He is hitting .340 so far this season with 1 HR and 14 RBIs. His 14 RBI's sit on top of the American League. Following Cabrera has been Catcher Max Stassi, who is hitting .389 with 3 HRs and 10 RBIs. While production for these two players may not be sustainable, the lack of production out of Bryce Harper and Eric Thames should more then make up for it.
Bryce Harper had a rough start to the season but has picked it up as of late. His is now hitting .261 with 2 HRs and 6 RBIs. It wasn't until game 7 where Harper would get his first Run Batted In. He was hitting under .200 for the first 10 games of the season. Eric Thames on the other hand is still struggling, but finds himself being somewhat productive in the RBI category. He is hitting .200 with 0 HRs and 7 RBIs. He is at risk of losing his spot in the lineup if Jefry Marte can pick it up.
The Rangers pitching staff has gone toe-to-toe with the offense. Jon Lester has been lights out so far this season with a record of 2-0, an ERA of 0.86 and a WHIP of 0.57. His counterpart Jose Quintana has not been as lucky, with a record of 1-2 and an ERA over 6. Picking up the slack for Quintana has been Kendall Gravemen. Gravemen leads the MLB with 3 wins this season, and is pitching to the tune of 2.95 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP.
While the offense and pitching has been great, let's not forget the teams defense. The Rangers currently have the #1 ranked defense in the American League. All of this is a recipe for a team to be a legitimate contender.
