2012 Texas Rangers Predictions
Off back-to-back division titles and consecutive American League pennants, the goal is clear for the Texas Rangers: World Series championship or bust.
The Rangers were one strike away from a World Series title twice last fall but couldn’t seal the deal. They’ll be haunted by that forever but will sleep a little easier if they can find a way to hoist the Commissioner’s Trophy in 2012.
Projected Pitching
Starting rotation: Colby Lewis (R) – He went 14-10 with a 4.40 ERA and logged 200.1 innings in 2011.
Derek Holland (L) – Holland is coming off a breakout season in which he went 16-5 with a 3.95 ERA.
Yu Darvish (R) – The Rangers are counting on him to replace C.J. Wilson. They absolutely love this kid, who went 76-28 in five seasons in the Japanese league.
Matt Harrison (L) – He went 14-9 with a 3.39 ERA in 2011 and was one of five Rangers with at least 13 wins.
Neftali Feliz (R) – Texas wants to make him a starter after he saved 72 games for them the past two seasons. He’s yet to start a game in the bigs but made 54 starts in the minors.
Closer: Joe Nathan (R) – The Rangers are hoping the 37-year-old former All-Star is still the pitcher who saved at least 36 games a season for Minnesota from 2004-2009.
Projected Lineup
Mike Napoli (Catcher) – He was arguably the best hitter in baseball in the second half of the season with a .378 average after coming off the disabled list on July 4. He finished the year with 30 home runs and 75 RBIs in just 113 games.
Mitch Moreland (First Base) – The Rangers thought Moreland was ready for a breakout season after he hit .462 in the 2010 World Series, but he only hit .259 with 16 home runs and 51 RBIs in 2011.
Ian Kinsler (Second Base) – Kinsler is coming off arguably the best season of his career. He established career highs in home runs (32), runs (121) and walks (89) and added 30 stolen bases and 77 RBIs.
Adrian Beltre (Third Base) – Because he’s so good with the bat (32 homers, 105 RBIs in 2011), he doesn’t always get the credit he deserves for his glove. We’re talking about a three-time Gold Glove winner.
Elvis Andrus (Shortstop) – Andrus is known for his glove, but the Rangers are excited about the improvement he’s shown at the plate. He batted .279 with 60 RBIs in 2011.
Josh Hamilton (Left Field) – Despite missing 36 games with a broken right arm, Hamilton blasted 25 home runs and had 94 RBIs.
Craig Gentry (Center Field) – We could also see Leonys Martin in center but Gentry got more experience last season. He played in 64 games while Martin played in eight. That experience could give him a leg up.
Nelson Cruz (Right Field) – Health has been an issue for Cruz recently, but he’s a major force when in the lineup. He batted .263 with 29 homers and 87 RBIs in 124 games last year.
Michael Young (Designated Hitter) – Young is expected to play all over the infield but will primarily be the DH. He hit .338 with a team-high 106 RBIs in 2011.
Prediction – 2nd Place AL West: Winning the West again won’t be easy with Albert Pujols and Wilson joining an already talented Angels club. It can be done, however, if Yu Darvish and Neftali Feliz shine in the rotation. The Rangers are listed at +125 to win the AL West.
