Daniels, Ryan Have Rangers Headed in Right Direction

Every year before the MLB season begins, there is undeniable hope for all 30 teams in the league.  Everyone from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to the Boston Red Sox starts out on a clean slate. 

Just look to the Chicago Cubs fans for that never-ending source of optimism before a season begins. 

The Rangers began their season with a 5-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners.  After leading most of the game 1-0, they crumbled in the late innings and ruined a fantastic outing from Kevin Millwood. 

It appeared the same was bound to happen yesterday.  Vicente Padilla pitched six innings giving up one earned run, only to see the lead dwindle in the eight inning. 

However, Josh Hamilton, the former No. 1 pick in the 1999 MLB Draft, hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth. Also, C.J. Wilson, the official newly appointed closer of the Rangers, sealed the deal with a respectable outing.  

In 2007, the Rangers got a slow start out of the gates and never found the light at the end of the tunnel.  Traveling through the tunnel, they basically never even found lamp posts that could have guided them through the darkness. 

After about 65 games last season, the Rangers owned the worst record in baseball.  They eventually played slightly above .500 baseball for the rest of the season, finishing up at an impressive 75-87. 

I'm actually not being sarcastic.  After the start the Rangers' had, which included a starting pitching staff that owned the worst ERA in major league history for about half the season, I was convinced they would not even reach 70 wins.  It was pure misery.

All the misery began with the horrid start that the Rangers inflicted upon themselves.  This season, however, just a win as simple as last night's should jump start the team.

The new closer, C.J. Wilson, got a save in the second game of the season, and the new third spot hitter, Josh Hamilton, delivered a clutch go-ahead and game-winning home run in the ninth inning. 

Meanwhile, the Rangers' stars, Hank Blalock, Michael Young, and Ian Kinsler, show their commitment to the team by playing well despite battling the flu bug. That type of all-around effort can instill early confidence into a team that desperately needs it. 

In years past, terrible starts have ruined the season for the Rangers.  In 2004, the Rangers finished 89-73 and played great for the whole season, only to finish third in the AL West (Three games behind first). 

In 2006, the Rangers were in first place in mid-June, around the time when the Dallas Mavericks lost in the NBA Finals.  While they began to dwindle after that mark, the Rangers still finished with a close to .500 record.  

My point is, if the Rangers can get out of April with a .500 record or above, this season is going to be a good one.  The nice thing about the Rangers is that they have little expectations. 

They also tend to have very interesting players.  The 2008 team features names such as Milton Bradley, a board game company, and Marlon Byrd, which inspires instant wing-flapping insanity in the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington crowd. 

Add to the list a new Japanese pitcher, Fukumori, who most surely will be given the nickname of Fuku, and you have a fun time coming for fans wanting entertainment in the summer.

How will the team finish? I don't know if the Rangers will be going to the playoffs.  However, the Rangers were one of the most unlucky teams last year in MLB.  Their starting pitching underachieved and their lineup was the worst it has been in more than a decade.  

For the first time in years, I think the Rangers have made solid additions to their lineup. Josh Hamilton and Milton Bradley are actually young, emerging characters that are coming off of very promising seasons. This is not like Brad Wilkerson (an eternal .220 hitter for the Rangers) or an aging Sammy Sosa. 

(Side note: Sammy Sosa was probably the one fun thing last year about the Rangers last season).

I wish the best to Sammy.  I predicted I would be in attendance for his 600th homer back in March.  And boy, I definitely was. 

But back to the Rangers' additions.  Even the seemingly inconsequential addition of Ben Broussard at first base is a nice one, I believe. It is refreshing not seeing a stubborn Mark Teixeira anchoring the right field foul line any more. 

By the way, does anyone notice that the Rangers actually have a semi-real starting rotation? Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, Jason Jennings (former NL Rookie of the Year), Brandon McCarthy, and Kason Gabbard will give this team potentially their best rotation of the millennium. 

For once, we will not have makeshift fourth, fifth (or even third) starters throughout the entire season (assuming injuries do not rattle this team as they did last year).  

With the trades the Rangers made last year, the upcoming talent is also exciting, making 2009 and 2010 more likely years for the Rangers to make a real push into the postseason.

Nevertheless, I predict the Rangers to finish 88-74.  The problem is that this could easily be third in the AL West.

The prediction is probably too optimistic, but the Rangers had unbelievable bad luck last year and still managed 75 wins.  I'll put my money on this team not being stung with as much misfortune this season.