Why the Texas Rangers don't score more

      The offense is explosive for the Texas Rangers. They have tons of 10 runs or over games. They know how to hit the ball and get more runs than the oppenent. Yet still, they don't have a winning record. Why? Lets find out. First lets check out the offense.  Lets start with the first name that comes to most people.

Josh Hamilton

      He has had a MVP candidate season. He has .304 batting average. With 34 home runs and 126 runs batted in, he also is a power hitter. At the All Star break nothing was talked about BUT him. In the All Star Game, he had a record for for the most first round home runs. Sadly, he lost in the last round to the last minute pick Justin Morneau. He also has a pair of legs with nine steals. With five triples, he gets them into the corners for more bases. he has been a star on this squad.

Ian Kinsler

       He is a hitter. With a .319 batting average and 102 singles on the season, he can get on base and hit in the runs. He has hit in 76 runs and also got a solid 18 home runs. he has speed and has 26 steals on the bases. Of course with that many singles, steals are a automatic. Sadly, his season would be even better if he hasn't been out since August 17.

Milton Bradley

     This guy has had a great year. He hasn't done much starting in his career. Now he is using the opportunity to show what he has. With a .324 batting average, he is one of the leaders in the American league. he was a All Star this year, along with Kinsler and Hamilton. he hits the long ball well with 22 home runs. He is one of my favorite players in the MLB because here, even though he has been in the league since 2000, he is finally getting what he deserves.

Michael Young

     It is not his best season, I know, but he still can see the ball well and get a hit when needed. He hits .284 with 12 home runs. With 79 RBI's he is hitting well. He has 180 hits this season, not enough for a 200 hit season, but still a strong season. He has 10 steals and is still a fan favorite in Texas, but he isn't the best anymore.

      So why aren't they winning. They got hitting, but they don't have the pitching. There are very little bright spots.

Vicente Padilla

      He has been pretty good, but not great. He has gone 13-8 this season. Though his ERA is a poor 4.85 average. He does have a complete game shutout though. Also, with 119 strikeouts he has been shooting down the hitters.

Matt Harrison

      Here is another bright spot in the pitching system. Or is it? He is 9-3 in his 15 starts, but he also has a 5.49 ERA. That is what I call run support! How long does he think that kind of wins can happen? He does have one shutout in 9 innings, but his stats won't hold up with any other team. He has given 100 hits in 83.2 innings. They need to work on him.

    The three other starting pitchers have gone a combined 17-22. Their ERAs span from 5.03 to 6.40. Once again, that is strong run support. Meanwhile, the bullpen is mediocre and needs some help.

     Texas, you COULD win. You have the offense. Use your farm league or the money you got and pick up a pitcher or two. They don't have to be stars, just pitchers that can give 6 or 7 innings and less that 5 runs. Right now, you don't have that. I think you guys will become good in the near future, but whether you will become great is clearly up to you.

See you soon

         -Tom