Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
July 30, 2004
Ranger Danger

The Texas Rangers had the chance to put some distance between themselves and their division rivals, and so far have failed to do so. They started a 12-game stretch against Anaheim and Oakland on 7/21. So far, they are 3-6, and the A's have regained first place after beating Texas 7-6 last night. The Ranges have scored 28 runs in those nine game while allowing 43. They did not pick an opportune moment to go into a hitting slump.

Meanwhile, the A's offense appears to be in full Moneyball mode. Since the All-Star break they are 10-5; their batting average is down two points, but their OBA and slugging are up about 20 points each. Funny, though, their runs per game really haven't changed. The boost has come from an ERA that's down 0.8 runs. But the process is right and we're looking at another strong 2nd half from Oakland.


Posted by David Pinto at 10:57 AM | Team Evaluation | TrackBack (0)
Comments

I think the Rangers failing to increase their lead has more to do with not packaging up a few of their many prospects and shipping them for Freddy Garcia or another starting pitcher and not a minor hitting slump. Ryan Drese has been decent, but inconsistent. Kenny Rogers has been winning, but it seems like he'll implode at any moment; he doesn't strike out a lot of guys and he gives up a lot of hits. They're good enough to bounce back from am offensive slump, but they're pitching was, and still is, a huge question mark.

I think it's a testament to Buck Showalter that they've been in first this long.

Posted by: ChrisS at July 30, 2004 02:38 PM