Things I Think About The Rangers

Just random opinions formed and ruminated on for several days or, on occasion, several minutes. Updated over the course of the day:

1. When – and if – RHP Vicente Padilla returns, LHP Derek Holland goes back to the bullpen: But, you know what, I’m not really that concerned with the whole debate right now. The Rangers would like Holland to start at some point this season; at least that was the thinking going into the year. Based on the Rangers’ track record, it seemed a given somebody would prove himself unworthy or somebody would suffer a serious injury. And that would create a permanent opening. But management also has to adjust on the fly sometimes. If Holland were to pitch out of the bullpen for the entire season, it would be because others have pitched well enough to hold their spot and the rookie would have to wait his turn.  It would be a good thing for the Rangers and I’ll go on record as saying it won’t damage Holland long-term.

There’s been a lot of debate on our blog about this and a lot of gnashing of teeth over the decision. In my mind, there really isn’t much of a decision to be made as of today. I will qualify that by saying things can often change dramatically in baseball in the course of a week or 10 days. But if performance and health holds, the decision is exceptionally easy. Basically it comes down to this: Why would you consider dropping anybody from a rotation that has had the best ERA in the AL this month (3.17) and the second best since 10-day mark of the season (3.86)?

2. The Rangers have a chance to create an atmosphere this week: I’m not sure the players even fully understand what they can create with an impressive series against the Yankees. There will be more than 45,000 people at Rangers Ballpark today. Sure, a good number of them will be Yankee fans, but that’s not a bad thing. Yankee fans are passionate and the atmosphere will be very playoff like. Play well in those games and the fans, whether they be fans of the Rangers or Yankees, want more. A full house full of energy makes people want to experience that feeling over and over. And players feed off that energy, too. Give them that atmosphere over and over and you potentially create a legitimate and lasting home field advantage. The Rangers are on their way to doing that already, having gone 14-6 in the first 20 home games this season and topping it off with a sweep of the LA Angels last week. That homestand averaged 35,000 people per game and included one night of more than 10,000 walk-up tickets.

“I think we made that connection with the fans during the Angels series,” OF Marlon Byrd said. “It’s our house right now. People want to see a winner, we understand that. But if we keep this up, not only will people get a chance to see a winner, [Rangers Ballpark] will be a very exciting place.”

3. There is no reason to bench or demote 1B Chris Davis: Yes, he maybe on pace to set a modern-day season strikeout record, but Davis has continued to contribute on the defensive side. And we’re not talking about minor contributions. Davis’ ability to stretch for throws is world class.  On Sunday alone, he made three fantastic plays to help keep Brandon McCarthy’s shutout intact. Over the course of the season, one of the reasons Elvis Andrus has made so many great plays is because Davis has saved him with Stretch Armstrong scoops. Talked to Davis after Sunday’s game and mentioned he’s not taken his poor at-bats into the field. Davis’ reply: “It’s keeping me in the lineup right now.” He understands he’s got to keep the two aspects separate, and by doing so, he’s kept contributing.