Texas Rangers News And Notes

As the first place Texas Rangers start a three-game series against the Oakland A’s, let’s see what is going on with the boys from Arlington.

“Vlad” is impaling. There are certain places in baseball that automatically breathe life into hitters. Colorado being one. Texas is another.

Vlad is crushing the ball for the Rangers

When the Rangers signed Vladimir Guerrero in the offseason, I am sure they hoping that Guerrero would have a season like his 2008 season, which he produced a .303/.365/.521 hitting line with 27 home runs in 143 games, but weren’t expecting it. Not only is Vlad hitting like it is 2008, but he is hitting more like it’s 2007.

Vlad is crushing the ball this year to the tune of a .331/.366/.521 hitting line with six home runs. His batting average currently ranks sixth in the AL going into last night.

As I mentioned playing in Texas and that hitter friendly ballpark can breathe life into any hitter. Just to hit that point home; Vlad is hitting .435 with a 1.207 OPS at home.

Nelson Cruz to return. Cruz, who has been out since April 27th because of a right hamstring strain, is set to return to the Rangers on Friday. Cruz started a rehab stint at Triple A Oklahoma City yesterday and will continue that rehab stint on Wednesday.

If all goes well, Cruz will be back in the Rangers’ lineup on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Cruz was hitting the bejesus out of the ball before he got hurt. Cruz had a .324/.419/.758 hitting line with seven home runs and even had five stolen bases.

The key for Cruz is health. If he can stay healthy, then he will be an offensive machine in the middle that Rangers’ lineup.

The Rangers are for real. It seems like we go through this every year with the Rangers. Every year they get off to a good start, play well through mid-August, and then fade away in the 120 degree Texas heat in September.

However, I really believe this year will be different. I think it will different this year for a couple of reasons.

One, the Rangers have the horses this year. From top to bottom, the Rangers pitching staff is very solid in my opinion. The additions of Colby Lewis and CJ Wilson have helped out the starting rotation and I like the bullpen, which is lead by guys like Darren O’Day and Neftali Feliz.

Second, the AL West is very mediocre this year. The Seattle Mariners and the Oakland A’s are going nowhere in 2010 and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are not the same Angels team of years past.

The Rangers could very easily win this division in 2010.

You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter @ theghostofmlg