These Texas Rangers Need a New Nickname

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

You can't call the Texas Rangers the "Baby Rangers" anymore, not after bouncing back from the worst pitching performance of the season with three straight wins in two days.

With a little help from the Seattle Mariners, the Rangers also cut 2.5 games on the AL West leading Los Angeles Angels.

With Michael Young out for the next two weeks and Josh Hamilton battling a pinched nerve in his back, the now grown-up Rangers are going to be tested yet again.

This would be a concern for Rangers teams in the past, but not for the Cardiac Rangers of 2009.

Cardiac Rangers...I like the sound of that one. It's certainly better than the Baby Rangers.

Now that we have a new nickname for the Rangers, let's get down to the business at hand.

The Rangers have successfully completed goal number one: to play meaningful games in September.

Now to get in the playoffs the Rangers are going to have to fix the one weakness that has plagued this team all season long.

They have to take advantage of teams with losing records.

This is September baseball and the only way teams turn September baseball into an opportunity for October baseball is to win against teams they should beat.

This all begins with a six game road trip to Baltimore and Cleveland, and it begins without the face of the franchise.

Michael Young has been much more than the team's best hitter this season. He's had arguably one of the best defensive seasons for a third baseman in club history.

Replacing that level of play will not be easy, especially defensively, but luckily the Rangers still have Chris Davis and Hank Blalock.

Blalock's bat may not be the same as it was before his injuries, but Hank can still field the ball very well, while Davis has some innings under his belt at third. 

It's not the preferred infield alignment, but it is more than capable of holding down the fort until Young can return.

The last road trip of the season will be the most important of the season, but this road trip could make or break the Rangers.

Taking three of four from the Blue Jays has the Rangers back in the race, but a bad road trip will leave them on the outside looking in.

I guess it can be argued the Cardiac Rangers are exactly where they want to be.

Cardiac Rangers...this one might stick.

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