Higher they can soar! Fired up for more! Even out the score! Go, go Power Rangers! -Power Rangers Lyrics
The Texas Rangers have not lost since July 3. The Texas Rangers hold a five game lead in the AL West. How did this happen? At the outset of the season, folks wondered how the Texas Rangers would fare without Cliff Lee. At the outset of the season, folks thought the Rangers would need some help in their starting rotation if they wanted to get back to the Promised Land. At the outset of the season, even Nolan Ryan said his confidence “isn’t as high today…because of the concerns (we) have for certain segments of the club.” That may be what Nolan Ryan said, but you know what George Bernard Shaw says. George Bernard Shaw says, “Everything happens to everybody sooner or later if there is time enough.” It appears there is time enough for the Texas Rangers. It appears things are happening to them and their pitching staff. Like my main man Navin R. Johnson always says, “‘I’m somebody now! Millions of people look at this book everyday! This is the kind of spontaneous publicity – your name in print – that makes people. I’m in print! Things are going to start happening to me now!”
Yes indeedy-do, things are certainly happening now down in Texas. The stars at night, are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas. Last night, deep in the heart of Texas Anaheim, the Rangers shut out the Angels. So what, you say? Big deal, you say? Who cares, you say? I say, over their last six games, Rangers pitching has only allowed a meager two runs. Two runs! Six games! How about that? How about this: Since the mound was lowered in 1969, only one other major-league team has allowed two (or fewer) runs in a six-game span within one season: the 1974 Orioles bookended a streak of five consecutive shutouts with a 7-1 win and a 3-2 win. Just so you know, that Orioles team featured Jim Palmer. That Orioles team featured Mike Cuellar. That Orioles team featured Dave McNally.
The Rangers rotation may not have a Jim Palmer, a Mike Cuellar or a Dave McNally but just the same, they do have two 10-game winners in Alexi Ogando and C.J. Wilson, a nine-game winner in Colby Lewis and a pair of eight-game winners in Holland and Matt Harrison. Pretty pretty pretty pretty pretty good. How good? The Rangers have an ERA of 1.92 and four shutouts during their winning streak. Opposing batters have hit just .146 (29 for 199) against Texas’ starting pitchers in those six games with only six extra-base hits (all doubles). Ranger First baseman Mitch Moreland: “This whole streak we’re on right now is really because of what the pitchers have done.” You can say that again! You can. I’m not gonna. But I will say, with its potent lineup finally healthy and its youthful pitching staff taking over, I don’t wanna see ‘em come October. Do you?
Peace out homies. Six two and even!
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