Are the Texas Rangers for real?

[OneTime2121]

The Rangers now have the 3rd best record in the American League, does this mean they can seriously compete with the NY Yanks and Tampa Bay Rays in the post season

[craig01]

The Rangers now have the 3rd best record in the American League, does this mean they can seriously compete with the NY Yanks and Tampa Bay Rays in the post season

Maybe, most of the pieces are there.

But there are some questions though......is Ron Washington able to avoid implosion? Is the rotation solid enough behind Lee? Can the Rangers pick it up defensively? Can they stay healthy?

They are explosive no doubt.....and for the first time in a long time, diverse and interesting.

[jumanji]

They'll win that division and when you have a Cliff Lee you can throw out there in a series with the Yankees yeah they are for real.

[trwi7]

Can the Rangers pick it up defensively?

Considering they're already one of the best defensive teams in baseball, I'm not sure why they need to pick it up.

I'd like that team a lot better if they weren't wasting Feliz in the bullpen.

[El Turco]

this Rangers team is poised to contend, i just hope that pressure of title aspirations doesn't take them off the track after years of failure and disappoint us fans once again.

[TyCobb]

Definitely a pretender. Their rotation after Lee and Wilson sucks. Lewis and Hunter will fall back down to Earth. They'll collapse once Hamilton gets hurt and Cruz realizes he isn't Justin Upton.

[trwi7]

Agree that Hunter will come back to Earth. Lewis however is pitching right in line with what his peripherals say.

[HCYanks]

Definitely a pretender. Their rotation after Lee and Wilson sucks. Lewis and Hunter will fall back down to Earth. They'll collapse once Hamilton gets hurt and Cruz realizes he isn't Justin Upton.

The first stage of (divisional) loss. Denial.

The Lee deal may have been a mistake in the long term but it does secure their control of the division, even if they have a player or two performing above their heads.

[jumanji]

Definitely a pretender. Their rotation after Lee and Wilson sucks. Lewis and Hunter will fall back down to Earth. They'll collapse once Hamilton gets hurt and Cruz realizes he isn't Justin Upton.

Sounds like wishful thinking there. First off you are right their pitching will determine their fate but to imply Hamilton is going to get hurt and Cruz is somehow trying to play up to the standard of a Justin Upton is comical.

[Killa K]

For real.

They're are almost no strong weaknesses, unless you want to bring in the point that they are inexperienced. But I see no way to not think the Rangers will win the West then winning a series in the postseason. Hamilton and co. will be contenders this fall.

[studcrackers]

ive been following this team my whole life, i vaguely remember the teams in the late 90's as i was 8-11 years old. i went to the playoff games but only have witnessed playoff defeats. the best team was in 96 when juan gonzalez raped the planet but after winning game 1 our bullpen (and rest of the offense sans juando) decided to collectively sh*t the bed, we couldve won that series

this team is the best rangers team ive ever seen. the only team i somewhat fear is the yankees (we also suck vs. the twins. also the blue jays have killed us this year)

but the pitching 1-4 is really good, the bullpen is as well (could maybe use one more loogy b/c i dont trust matt harrison) also the defense is one of the best in the league (with exception to michael youngs sh*ttastic range at 3rd)

only real weaknesses i see us having is lack of 1st base production and lack of right handed bat off the bench who can platoon vs. lefties at 1st or in the of (david murphy is a solid 4th of but it doesnt help that 2 of our 3 starters are left handed along w/our 1st baseman) and our 5th starter sucks (or i guess feldman is pretty much pitching like a mediocre 5th starter. but if we're in the playoffs we dont have to worry about that)

the schedule the rest of the way is extremely tough but i know we're the best team in the division. im just desparate to see baseball in october once again, it's been to damn long, but as a fan this teams incredibly fun to watch and im as locked in as ive ever been w/a team

also, though shalt not besmirch thy name of thomas 'big game' hunter

[Killa K]

Damn Jon Daniels and the Rangers Front Office are doing a stellar job aquiring players of need during the turmoil of the ownership of the team. They needed a front of the line ace and they got that In Lee, then they needed some a catcher with veteran leadership and they got it with Molina, then they needed some infield depth and a right handed bat to play first check and check with Cantu and Guzman. Overall the Rangers gave up a pretty good prospect in Smoak, but other than that the prospects given up were not too special.

Also they should get Harden back from the DL soon which will only make their pitching better. It looks like the Rangers are really going for it this year and I think they have a legitimite chance at the World Series.

[craig01]

You gotta give the Rangers credit with the moves.

Nice offensive players in Cantu and Guzman, but they'll give up some runs too .......

Rangers are actually looking very dangerous to me, a Rays fan.

[Dr Positivity]

ive been following this team my whole life, i vaguely remember the teams in the late 90's as i was 8-11 years old. i went to the playoff games but only have witnessed playoff defeats. the best team was in 96 when juan gonzalez raped the planet but after winning game 1 our bullpen (and rest of the offense sans juando) decided to collectively sh*t the bed, we couldve won that series

this team is the best rangers team ive ever seen. the only team i somewhat fear is the yankees (we also suck vs. the twins. also the blue jays have killed us this year)

but the pitching 1-4 is really good, the bullpen is as well (could maybe use one more loogy b/c i dont trust matt harrison) also the defense is one of the best in the league (with exception to michael youngs sh*ttastic range at 3rd)

only real weaknesses i see us having is lack of 1st base production and lack of right handed bat off the bench who can platoon vs. lefties at 1st or in the of (david murphy is a solid 4th of but it doesnt help that 2 of our 3 starters are left handed along w/our 1st baseman) and our 5th starter sucks (or i guess feldman is pretty much pitching like a mediocre 5th starter. but if we're in the playoffs we dont have to worry about that)

the schedule the rest of the way is extremely tough but i know we're the best team in the division. im just desparate to see baseball in october once again, it's been to damn long, but as a fan this teams incredibly fun to watch and im as locked in as ive ever been w/a team

also, though shalt not besmirch thy name of thomas 'big game' hunter

Well you're not alone in the waiting game. I haven't seen the Blue Jays in the playoffs... ever It'll be sweet to be a 30 year old watching them in the playoffs for the first time

[El Turco]

i think Rangers definitely have lot of upside.