So Alexi Ogando looked like a starting pitcher yesterday.
Ron Matejko has the Rapid Reaction to the Rangers' 7-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. Otherwise known as the future outcome of the clinching game of the 2013 World Series.
Jeff Wilson writes about the win and Ogando's day. Ogando pitched six scoreless innings and looked sharp, especially after the first inning, and had something resembling a decent changeup/curve/slurve/slower slider going as a third pitch. It was encouraging to see.
T.R. Sullivan recaps the game and has quotes from Ogando about having success with his secondary pitches while working on them in yesterday's game.
Matejko writes that Ogando's spring transition back to the rotation looks complete with Ron Washington providing plenty of praise.
Gerry Fraley blogs about the arm, bat, and glove highlights from yesterday's game. Though, in flawless Fraley fashion, every note in the bats section - even though the Rangers scored seven runs - is of a negative result.
Sullivan writes about the rise of Craig Gentry this spring. And with Leonys Martin also having a fantastic spring, the center field platoon is looking like a potential bright spot for the Rangers heading into the season.
Fraley has a paywall protected piece where he writes that the final spot in the rotation will be decided by a Wednesday showdown at the Surprise Corral between Nick Tepesch and Michael Kirkman.
Anthony Andro continues his series of ranking the AL West by position. Today he crowns the A's as having the top bullpen in the west with the Rangers coming in second.
Drew Davison interviews Ohio native Derek Holland about his Michigan Wolverine fandom. In addition, Davison has updates on five currently injured pitchers.
A Holland side note-
I looked up exactly where Holland is from in relation to Ann Arbor on Wikipedia and noticed this:
Derek Lane Holland (born October 9, 1986) is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers. He is noted for his kid-like appearance and juvenile behavior.
Sullivan's Notebook covers Jurickson Profar's likely destination, the claiming of Brad Mills, the late spring resurgence of Tanner Scheppers, the home opener assignment of Holland, and various other notes.
Davison has notes on Gentry's surprising spring and most of the same items covered by Sullivan.
Gerry Fraley writes that the Angels have a pool going for whether we'll boo Josh Hamilton in April. Let's start a pool for whether the Angels will finish above third place this season.
Lastly, check out the musings of Mike Mazzeo over at Ryin's Views on Baseball!