Good morning. Welcome to the final work week before seven consecutive months of baseball. mmm
Evan Grant writes about the secret of the 2017 Rangers: They’ve got pitchers who are actually good.
Levi Weaver recaps the Rangers’ 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers yesterday which featured a solid five innings of work from Cole Hamels.
Jeff Wilson’s Surprise Five covers the latest happenings from camp including rotation order talk.
Grants busts the myth of the five-man rotation as depth has become a critical component for MLB teams.
Wilson notes that Hamels will pitch the third game of the season which means Marty Perez: No. 2 starter!
Grant writes that Hamels isn’t bummed about not starting Opening Day and is happy that Yu Darvish gets to join the Tanner Scheppers Club.
T.R. Sullivan writes that Hamels as the No. 3 starter is the first step in getting the veteran to October.
Stefan Stevenson writes that the Rangers are clearly hoping to fuse Drew Robinson together with Jurickson Profar to form a two-headed Zobrist.
Sullivan writes about Delino DeShields having the best spring of probably anyone, anywhere.
Grant counts DeShields as the winner of Spring Training as he leads the Rangers in walks (11), runs (10), and stolen bases (11).
Wilson notes that Michael Matuella pitched. This is good.
Sullivan writes about the amazing rise of Alex Claudio from apathetic troublemaker to bullpen mainstay.
Gil LeBreton wonders if the Rangers can afford (not) to re-sign both Yu Darvish and Jonathan Lucroy.
Grant has a few notes the Lucroy extension talks, the rehab of Tyson Ross, and a pitcher the Rangers have their eyes on.
And, finally, Fangraphs has a divisional outlook on the AL West. Hmm.
Projected records:
TEX 83-79
SEA 83-79
“I’m guessing 78-80 wins for the Rangers.”
“I’m marking the M’s down for 88-90 wins and the AL West title. And they’ll be a tough out in the postseason.”
Oh.
Have a great day!