It's hot in Texas. Not just because it's still August, but because the defending A.L Champ Rangers have themeselves one heck of a race; and one heck of a bullpen. Texas is 3 1/2 up on 2nd place Los Angelos, and the Halo's are running out of time. The regular season ends September 28th, so Texas only has to hold on for another 3ish weeks. And with the way Texas hits, and with how their bullpen doesnt give up leads, count Los Angelos out.... unless Jered Weaver pitches like Jered Weaver on 5 days rest on 3 days rest for the rest of the year... dont count on it.
Texas' bullpen is the reason they are on top of the A.L West. Texas' offense (5.1 runs per game) is flat better than L.A's (4.1 runs per game). But L.A's pitching (3.63 team e.ra) is better than Texas' 3.91 team e.r.a. Texas' defense has also been much worse, as they have commited 104 errors, compared to only 78 for Los Angelos. So what really sets these teams apart, is the bullpen. Think about this. Texas scores 5ish runs a game. And their 7-8-9 guys (Koji Uehara, 5.11 e.r.a w/ Texas, 2.43 season; Mike Adams, 1.78 e.r.a w/ Texas, 1.28 season; and Neftali Feliz, 2.87 e.r.a) give up about a run every 2 1/3 innings, or less, so if Texas' starter can go 6, and give up 4 or less, Texas' should be alright. But Texas' bullpen doesnt stop at Adams, Uehara and Feliz, but also includes Daren Oliver and his 2.17 e.r.a, lefty strikeout machine (and ex-oriole, as is Uehara) Micheal Gonzalez (who had 15 strikeouts in 10 1/3 i.p in August, including 7 in a row).
Texas' bullpen is the reason the Rangers are on top, and had the Angels made a move and gotten Heath Bell, or Koji Uehara, or Mike Adams, we might be talking about them on top coming down the home stretch, not the defending A.L Pennat winning Rangers.
Texas' bullpen is the reason they are on top of the A.L West. Texas' offense (5.1 runs per game) is flat better than L.A's (4.1 runs per game). But L.A's pitching (3.63 team e.ra) is better than Texas' 3.91 team e.r.a. Texas' defense has also been much worse, as they have commited 104 errors, compared to only 78 for Los Angelos. So what really sets these teams apart, is the bullpen. Think about this. Texas scores 5ish runs a game. And their 7-8-9 guys (Koji Uehara, 5.11 e.r.a w/ Texas, 2.43 season; Mike Adams, 1.78 e.r.a w/ Texas, 1.28 season; and Neftali Feliz, 2.87 e.r.a) give up about a run every 2 1/3 innings, or less, so if Texas' starter can go 6, and give up 4 or less, Texas' should be alright. But Texas' bullpen doesnt stop at Adams, Uehara and Feliz, but also includes Daren Oliver and his 2.17 e.r.a, lefty strikeout machine (and ex-oriole, as is Uehara) Micheal Gonzalez (who had 15 strikeouts in 10 1/3 i.p in August, including 7 in a row).
Texas' bullpen is the reason the Rangers are on top, and had the Angels made a move and gotten Heath Bell, or Koji Uehara, or Mike Adams, we might be talking about them on top coming down the home stretch, not the defending A.L Pennat winning Rangers.
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