A Look Ahead to the 2'nd Half.

Let's take a look at the team position by position and see what are prospects are for the rest of the season, presuming we don't make a major addition via trade.

Let's start where it all starts: The Rotation

Kevin Millwood: We can still expect him to be a workhorse but maybe not get the same results. Hopefully doesn't whither in the heat. Slighly down the rest of the way.

Vincente Padilla: With it being a contract year I think we see the good more than the bad. More like he has pitched recently. Let's call for him to have a better 2'nd half.

Scott Feldman: He has been good and consistent but needs to be on short lease after 5. I think we have a nice shot of more of the same if used properly.

It gets a little shaky after this even knowing what the rotation will be but lets look at main candidates:

Derek Holland: I feel good that he will continue to improve and hopefully see him in rotation instead of out of pen.

Matt Harrison: I have no feel about this guy. He seems to be on or off more than Padilla.

Tommy Hunter: Pleasant surprise so far. Huge improvement over last year. Can it continue?

Brandon McCarthy: I can't imagine him helping us at all, maybe ever.

Dustin Nippert: See above (at least as a starter). I hope he proves me wrong!

Overall I see our Top 3 giving us close to what we got in the opening half and since the 4-5 spots are occupied by kids continued improvement would seem to be in order.

Let's look at: The Pen

Frankie Francisco: He was really good early but missed some action and doesn't appear to be back all the way, yet. I think he will be okay but can't expect him to have an 0.00 for 2 months can we?

CJ Wilson: It is great to have in on top of his game and I think it continues. This is really an excellent tandem!

Darren O'Day: What a find! He can't continue to be this good but he is solid.

Jason Jennings: I think we have found his niche just don't bring him in with runners on (Wash). There is no reason to think he can't do this all year.

Jason Grilli: Another excellent find.  Not completly sold just yet but still think he will be fine.

The production we have gotten from these 5 guys has been excellent and I believe it will continue. If we can find a lefty to replace EE, that is the glaring weekness. The other guy in the pen isn't someone you are relying on except to eat some innings.

Position Players: Infielders

First Base: In the first half we got very little from Chris Davis offensively. I like what Hank has done so far and I expect Chris or Smoak to be able to offer something the rest of the way. This position has nowhere to go but up!

Second Base: Ian needs some time off - bad. Overall his first half has been quite good, mainly because of improved defense and power. He has got to get his OBP up. He has always been streaky so hopefully some rest will get him back on track.

Shortstop: Elvis Andrus, nuff said. He is still learning and will probably improve in the 2'nd half.

Third Base: Face - he is what we thought he is. Pretty good hitter, poor fielding (reaction time is terrible) but he is usually better with RISP and that could improve and he is still learning new position so even his defense should improve.

Oufielders:

Josh Hamilton: Do you thing we will get more production from Josh the 2'nd half? Me, too!

Nelson Cruz: According to a lot of stats he was one of the best fielding RF's in baseball the first half but it just didn't pass the eye test for me. He is another one that is in a slump but to be honest I really don't think he puts up the same numbers the rest of the way. Prove me wrong, Nellie.

David Murphy: Once he got out of that 0-23 slump he has been solid and he appears to be what he is.

Marlon Byrd: It seems we know exactly what he is and he should be able to continue at that pace.

Andrew Jones: I will throw him in here even though he is really a DH. I know our production from the DH spot has been horrible, so the question is what can we expect from here. It has got to improve doesn't it? But Wash does seem to love his veterans, but still somebody is coming up to help (Davis, Smoak, Borbon) and then Wash won't have to rely on Wash-ed up players. We can only hope.

Catchers:

Salty/Teagarden: Offensive production has been poor but decent defense. I think the defense will be there and offense once again has nowhere to go but up. At least a higher percentage than down.

Overall I really think the Rangers can improve on their first half performance. We have been in a month long slump until the last week and now Hamilton is back and looking good, which absolutely has to help all up and down the lineup. Terrible production from 1B, C & DH and this could easily improve. Pitching has been solid and with a lot of young guns could improve, also. The bad part is we need our top 3 rotation pieces to stay healthy, we play a little tougher schedule the rest of the way, the Angels have been playing pretty good ball and have money to add pieces if need be.