Monday Morning Rangers Update

The Rangers completed their third series sweep at home this season in only the fourth series played. The Easter finale wasn't pretty as the Rangers held off a late Royals rally while trying to figure out how to survive the current state of the bullpen.

Even though a sweep is always better than expected, Jeff Wilson's game recap reads almost like a Game Day Thread in the midst of a six game losing streak. And although you'd like to see the team having fun with such early success, there's something refreshing about the players acknowledging the issues with the team and seemingly willing to face them head on.

On the forefront of the self-critiquing is C.J. Wilson who apparently feels as though he hasn't yet pitched his best this season as Art Garcia writes on the ESPN Dallas website.

It's not all woe is me for the Rangers, however. As the Star Telegram Foul Territory blog notes, the Rangers are off to their third best start in franchise history.

To editorialize for a moment, I get the feeling that the team's willingness to find room for improvement to be a symptom of heightened expectations and no longer being satisfied with just getting by. It's pretty neat.

Garcia has some notes from the game/series and Todd Willis has his game recap up on the Rangers team website.

Wilson has a piece on Mitch Moreland and how he has impressed his teammates and Ron Washington. It wouldn't surprise me if before long Moreland is permanently the team's No. 2 hitter.

Anthony Andro has some notes up about Colby Lewis' early season slump and Michael Young's facial hair, while Willis has notes about Alexi Ogando continuing to impress, record attendance numbers, as well as early season success for the Rangers minor league affiliates.

Every wondered what it would be like to live with Derek Holland? Andro has the scoop. Hint: Air Mattress.

Finally, MLB.com's Evan Drellich previews the Rangers four game set with the Toronto Blue Jays and notes that Jesse Litsch has been called up to start on Tuesday.