Sport DFW
FanSided

Texas Rangers five key questions out of spring training

By Stephen Francis

Sep 23, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; The Texas Rangers celebrate after the end of the game against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Coliseum the Texas Rangers defeated the Oakland Athletics 3 to 0. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; The Texas Rangers celebrate after the end of the game against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Coliseum the Texas Rangers defeated the Oakland Athletics 3 to 0. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Texas Rangers 2016 AL West Championship celebration
Sep 23, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Texas Rangers players celebrate in their locker room after clinching the AL West at Oakland Coliseum. The Rangers won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

5 — Can the Rangers win a third AL West title in a row?

After winning the American League West in back-to-back seasons for the third time in team history, the Rangers have fans expecting all or nothing. For the first time in franchise history, they finished with the AL’s best record last season. Yet, that earned them nothing at the end of the day. A sweep at the hand of the Blue Jays showed that regular season success is not the end goal.

But before you win the World Series, you have to make the playoffs. Obviously, the best way into the playoffs is through a division title. Surprisingly, many publications aren’t giving Texas much of a chance to take the division.

Call to the ‘pen has the Rangers coming in third. Fangraphs projects them fourth. Meanwhile, only two of Sports Illustrated’s eight MLB experts predict the Rangers to win the West and three have them missing the postseason altogether.

More from Dallas Sports

Yet, they have what they need to contend. The Rangers have a great pitching staff with two true aces at the top, a solid middle rotation and a fantastic bullpen.

The lineup doesn’t quite boast the power of past Texas teams, but they’ll still get a lot of hits. Their biggest concern is their ability to get out to some bigger leads and hold them this season.

While they won an impressive amount of one run games last season, they can’t count on that for a second year in a row. To really stand a chance in the postseason, they need to win some games by larger margins and reduce the stress and toll that close games take on a roster.

It all comes down to how they start. If they start the season well, they stand a great chance to hang onto that lead all season. But early struggles could have a taxing effect and lead to numerous stressful games from mid-season on.

Next: Rangers did the right thing with Rougie

Manager Jeff Banister has what it takes, though. He’s one of baseball’s best and he knows how to draw maximum effort from his guys. And as long as he’s the one calling the shots in the dugout, then the Rangers are in good hands. That’s why this season will be a lot of fun to watch. Let’s play ball!

Home/Dallas Sports