The Rangers Are Giving Me Hope: Five Game Win Streak is a Welcome Sight

With the exception of the first week of the season, this is the first time the Rangers have been in first place in the American League West since the middle of 2006. That is a really long time to wait, and seeing as how we all know they didn't make the playoffs that year, it has been even longer since the Rangers have legitimately had a chance of making the playoffs.

This team may just buck that trend.

The difference this year has been obvious: the starting pitching. They have gone out there and consistently thrown six to seven innings of low scoring baseball. What that does is give the team a chance.

Last nights game was the first win of the season when the Rangers scored less than four runs, and that shows me this team is starting to come into its own. It is rare that the Rangers will score less than four runs, but it is nice to know that when they do, we can still win.

Kevin Millwood has been playing like someone that needs to get enough innings to hang around, and that is fine with me. I don't care where your motivation comes from as long as it is there and we win games.

The only starting pitcher with a losing record is Vicente Padilla, but his last start was just plain sick, and would have been a win on most nights. It was the first time ever a Rangers pitcher through a one-hitter through eight and ended up with a no-decision.

The best part of the pitching effort is that the young guys are putting in quality innings too. Much the way the Rays had so much support from their young guys last year, the Rangers are getting it this year.

Along those same lines, Elvis Andrus has proved to be a gamble that has paid off thus far. His defense has been stellar, and won at least one game. His offense has also been adequate which is a nice bonus. There has been a time or two where his rookie status has come out, but for the most part, he has played beautifully.

Hank Blalock's resurgence has also been a pleasant surprise. He is by no means hitting the cover off the ball, but he is contributing where he can.

One thing that is somewhat surprising is that Ian Kinsler is leading the team in RBI's and runs. While it is not surprising he is playing so well, it is not common that your leadoff guy leads the team in both categories.

While it would be nice to see some more production from the top of the order, it is very nice to see that the bottom of the order is getting on and scoring runs.

Andruw Jones has been the surprise veteran that the Rangers seem to find every year. He is following in the shoes of Sammy Sosa and Milton Bradley, and is another testament to the abilities of Rudy Jaramillo. It will be a very sad day when he leaves for his chance as a manager.

I have always been a fan of Andruw since he was a rookie, and it has been great to see him do so well. Part of me wishes he could play more to take advantage of his output, but at the same time I wonder if his numbers are a direct result of his playing time. Either way it has been a pleasant surprise.

Finally, we have a top of the line closer. This is something we have been lacking in recent years, but Frankie has been worth the wait. He is pounding the strike zone, and keeping the ball down. It is nice to feel confident when we have a lead after eight these days.

While there is still a ton of baseball to be played, we have enough of a sampling to know that the Rangers are legitimate players this year. Anything can happen with injuries and slumps, but there is reason to have hope, and that is something I have been waiting for for a long time.