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Texas Rangers Preview 

The Rangers returned to reality in 2005 after putting together a fluke season in 2004 which saw them finish 16 games above the .500 mark and earning backers 24 units. I’m expecting them to fall even more this season as they let go of 2 established starters in Kenny Rodgers and Chris Young. Rogers was getting a little bit old and with the problems that he was having with the media in Texas probably needed to go. Chris Young was a decent starter who is probably going to be poised for a big season in San Diego. They did get Adam Eaton who was 11-5 last year in San Diego while Millwood posted a 2.86 ERA in Cleveland. Vincente Padilla has been all over the map, and struggled last year in Philly but could bounce back to his older form and have a good season in the American League. Francisco Cordero does a good job of closing games for the Rangers and had 37 saves last season. It’s hard to switch teams and pick right up where you leave off. I don’t think Texas’ additions will be able to pick up enough slack to improve from last year.

I’m not going to waste any time in letting you win on a huge betting trend about the Rangers that has produced winning results 6 of the last 7 years. The Rangers are very good in the second game of a home series after winning the opening game. In fact, they have prevailed 21 out of 28 times over the past 2 seasons in this situation. This could be a good bit of information to help you find your spots to take the Rangers within their division.

The boys from Arlington take pitchers deep better than any other lineup in the game. Mark Teixeria had 43 bombs, Delluci had 29, Mench had 25, Blalock had 25 as well, Young added 24, and Barajas slugged 21. This lineup is scary and could lead to a break out stretch where they put up 6 or 7 runs per game and blow teams out. A lot of these guys bat for a high average as well as going deep with regularity, making it very difficult for opposing pitchers.
Often times bad teams get branded as bad teams and bettors will go against them consistently even if they are on their home field. The Rangers are one team that you’re going to want to take a second look at when they are playing at home. They are a very impressive 66-38 at home the last 2 seasons against teams outside their division. And as you might expect, they struggle mightily on the road against non-division teams. This lineup can make us some big bucks in Arlington. If the Rangers keep going deep at home we can keep taking them to the bank.

This team has the ability to get hot. Their homerun hitting gets contagious. it’s ridiculous to have 6 guys in your lineup with over 20 bombs, but with the holes in the pitching staff, I don’t think they have what it takes to over take the A’s or the Angels in this division. The Mariners will still be weak and the Rangers should handle them. It all boils down to pitching, however, and I thing Texas will pay for pitching off Rodgers and Young.
 

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