Rangers Struggle into Third Place at All Star Break
Over the first half of the season the Texas Rangers had their share of ups and downs. Heading into the All Star break the Rangers managed to put together a 42-46 season through 84 games. A record that is good enough for third place in the AL West but still would land the Rangers out of the playoffs if the season was to end today.
The biggest problem the Rangers have faced over the start of the first half of their season is injuries. This is a team that can’t seem to get rid of the injury bug. The Rangers currently have two players on the 15 day disabled list and five players on the 60 day list.
Jul 28, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish (11) throws during the game against the New York Yankees at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The Rangers pitching staff is what has suffered the most with injuries. The Rangers are currently missing five players from their rotation and bullpen.
The biggest losses are ace Yu Darvish and Derek Holland. Darvish will not see action again until next season at the earliest after having surgery on his elbow, while Holland is dealing with a subscapular strain in his right shoulder.
If the Rangers want to make a late season push for the playoffs they are going to need all their pitchers healthy to get them through the hot months of August and September. There will be a time when their bats cool off and it will be up to the arms of the pitching staff to hold teams at bay.
While the Rangers have had issues keeping their pitching staff healthy they have been solid at the plate with the bats. Designated hitter Prince Fielder even made a huge impact during the All Star game with one hit and two runs batted in while pinch-hitting for Nelly Cruz in the fifth inning.
Fielder also put on a show during the Home Run Derby on Monday night. He pushed Cincinnati Reds third baseman Todd Frazier to the limit before falling one long ball short of his third derby championship.
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Fielder has turned out to be a solid addition after seeing his first season with the Rangers end early with an injury. So far this season Fielder leads the Rangers in batting average with a .339, a .403 on base percentage, 54 runs batted in, and 114 hits.
Mitch Moreland currently leads the Rangers with 14 home runs. His big problem is staying healthy though. Moreland has already missed games this season with an elbow injury, shoulder injury, and left a game during the month of June with an undisclosed injury.
Josh Hamilton is another slugger that has been able to make an impact when he is healthy. But once again he is a player that has missed the majority of the season.
Hamilton has managed to put together a .240 avg with six runs batted in and two home runs in 15 games since returning to the Rangers earlier this season after a two-year absence.
If the Rangers can manage to keep Hamilton, Moreland, and their pitching staff healthy for the second half of the season they should be able to make a push for a playoff spot if not the AL West pennant. To many more injuries though could lead to an early end of the season once again.
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