Texas Rangers, FC Dallas, and Dallas Cowboys: What to Watch this Weekend in DFW

Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Rangers are still positioned for the playoffs despite the recent news of Nelson Cruz’s suspension for the remainder of the regular season. They are 9-1 in the last 10 games and in a virtual tie for first place in the AL West with the Oakland A’s. Sadly FC Dallas continues its painful winless streak losing again last week to Seattle.

The Dallas Cowboys are playing their second game in the past week tonight against the Oakland Raiders. Word on the street is – some starters might actually play!

 Texas Rangers

Don’t look now but the Rangers are back. After free-falling in the standings a couple weeks ago the Rangers found a way to string some wins together and reclaim first place in the AL West. So technically they are tied for first, but still…

After sweeping the series with the Angels with those 3 emotional come-from-behind walk-off wins, the Rangers traveled to Oakland and won the series 2-1. Do not underestimate that series win against the A’s. Oakland has been Rangers kryptonite for the past couple seasons and getting over that mental hurdle is very important if Texas plans to win the division.

Now the Rangers travel to Houston to take on the Astros. They face them in a four game series that extends into Monday. With their top four pitchers pitching – Garza (tonight), Holland (Saturday), Perez (Sunday), and Darvish (Monday) – anything short of a sweep would be disappointing.

August 6, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (29) hits an RBI single in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Friday  8/09

At Houston 8:10

Saturday 8/10

At Houston 7:10

Sunday 8/11

At Houston 2:10

FC Dallas

The slide for FC Dallas continues further down the spiral. FC Dallas has not won since 6/12 and time may have just run out. Dallas faces the LA Galaxy with the hope they can snap out of it. We shall see…

Saturday 8/11

Vs LA Galaxy 7:00pm

Dallas Cowboys

Aug 4, 2013; Canton, OH, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard David Arkin (62) blocks Miami Dolphins defensive end Tracy Robertson (89) during the fourth quarter at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

Even though it’s just preseason it’s great to have the Cowboys back, right? After a very difficult and highly questionable offseason the Dallas Cowboys are being put to the test. For the most part they did fairly well in the Back-up vs Back-up Game on Sunday. That is a change from the norm since the Cowboys have long been considered very top-heavy in talent and one of the shallowest teams in the league over the past decade.

Was the depth for real of just a mirage? We will have to keep watching to find out!

Tonight the Cowboys will get back into action against Oakland. Later today I will detail What to Watch For but I’ll briefly discuss some items here. Pay special attention to this in tonight’s Dallas Cowboy game:

• Watch the Guards pulling – A Pulling Guard is very important in Bill Callahan’s Zone Blocking Scheme. Pay attention to who can do it and who struggles. That should give major insight to who will make the team.
• Watch the Defensive Line – Was the dominant performance of George Selvie a sign of things to come or just opportunistic fool’s gold against lesser-than competition? Kyle Wilber displayed some pass rush skills too, can he continue to apply an effective mix again? Pay special attention to the DT’s ability to occupy blockers and prevent the offensive guards from hitting the next level. Sean Lee and Bruce Carter will be worthless if opposing guards can consistently make it to the second level.
• The Safeties– Identify the safeties before each snap to get an idea of the coverage. When facing a mobile QB check for the Single High Safety coverage the Cowboys have been installing. The safeties are also the camp battle to watch for. Barry Church has one spot locked down but the other is still wide open.

Friday 8/9

At Oakland 9:00pm

Do you have questions or comments regarding Dallas area sports? Email Reid at permaximum@hotmail.com. You may be included in the next weekly mailbag. Follow Reid on twitter @ReidDHanson