Saturday a.m. Rangers things

Tied at one game apiece, the Rangers Matt Harrison squares off tonight against the Cardinals' Kyle Lohse.  

Jeff Caplan writes that the key for Harrison is keeping his pitches, and his pitch count, low.

Despite the fact that Josh Hamilton is clearly hurting, says he's at 50%, and would be on the d.l. right now if this is the regular season, Ron Washington says he's going to keep hitting Josh Hamilton third and playing him in the outfield rather than DHing him.  After all, it isn't as if the Rangers have anyone hitting 6th or 7th who could slide into the 3rd spot right now.

Jeff Wilson writes that the Rangers feel more confident in their chances right now than they did heading into Game 3 last season.

T.R. Sullivan says the Ranger offense should break out, now that they are back home.

It might rain tonight, though.

Drew Davison writes that Elvis Andrus was critical in the Rangers' Game 2 victory.

Also critical in the Game 2 victory was Ian Kinsler's 9th inning stolen base.  Richard Durrett says that red lights are few and far between for the Rangers' baserunners.

Behind the paywall, Evan Grant says that the Rangers' aggression is a key to their success.

John Schlegel of MLB.com says that the Rangers follow the lead of the "ultimate Ranger," Michael Young.

Gil Lebreton writes that the A.L. champs don't get the respect the deserve, starting with the way they were dismissed by Lance Berkman, whose comments in January sparked a firestorm of controversy.

The S-T's notes talk about Harrison wanting to go at least seven innings tonight, and Yorvit Torrealba starting behind the plate, with Mike Napoli going to first base and Michael Young going to DH.

Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com writes that Mike Maddux has been a key to the Rangers' improved pitching.