Monday Morning Rangers Update

Nice 5-1 homestand even if it wasn't always easy to watch. The Rangers offense wasn't soon.jpg; it was eventually.psd.

T.R. Sullivan's game story covers the importance of Ian Kinsler's big sixth inning bases-clearing triple and Colby Lewis coming through with another great start.

Randy Jennings provides the Rapid Reaction to the Rangers 9-3 victory over the Houston Astros.

Drew Davison offers his take on the Rangers sweeping Houston. The Rangers finished the season series by going 5-1 against the Astros. Next year the Rangers will get to play the Astros many, many more times and it will be great.

Jennings writes about Lewis bookending the homestand with solid outings against the Diamondbacks and Astros.

Keith Whitmire writes about the Rangers' weird offense these days.

Maybe it is taking the Ranger hitters a couple of times through the order to gauge the pitchers these days. Whatever it is, it's been an emotional ride for sure. As soon as you lead yourself to believe the Rangers might never score again, they put up 6 runs in a couple of swings. The Rangers are, I can only assume, the baseball equivalent of having menopause these days. All hot flashes and mood swings these days.

Behind the DMN paywall, Gerry Fraley writes more on the Rangers reliance on the big inning of late.

Joey Matches gives last weekend's Lone Star Series a proper viking funeral.

Christian Corona chronicles Roy Oswalt's start at Round Rock last night. Oswalt went six innings and allowed two runs on six hits while striking out five. Oswalt also walked a batter and threw 70 of his 100 pitches for strikes. Afterward Oswalt said he felt he was ready to pitch in the big leagues.

We'll see about that. Fraley writes that Ron Washington and the Rangers are currently undecided on whether Oswalt or Justin Grimm will make the start on Friday.

Sullivan's Notebook covers Josh Hamilton's return to the lineup, Grimm's success reflecting on the Rangers' development staff, the Oswalt vs. Grimm decision, Neftali Feliz feeling good and ready to begin throwing, and various other notes including this from Washington on the Silver Boot:

"I'm just concerned about winning ballgames. If a boot is included, I'll take it."

Davison's notes cover much of the same but also includes an update on Derek Holland.

Lastly, the DMN covers the weeks had by the Rangers' top prospects so you don't have to. (But you like to anyway.)