We’re moving forward one way or another. It was a big week in the Texas-Oklahoma rivalry. Sure, Houston pulled the big upset, but why can’t Texas A&M (OK, A&M-Kingsville) and Angelo State get in on the act, too?

Earlier today, Evan was a celebrity judge at the Southwest Foodservice Expo in Dallas. The Celebrity Chef Smack-down was a showdown between Dallas boy Tre “Top Chef” Wilcox vs Rory “Next Food Network Star” Schepisi. I know it was a tough gig for Evan because he basically likes everything and the chefs cooked all of his favorite things: steak, Gouda mac and cheese, salmon, and shrimp etouffee. Stand up and stretch your legs and mind–there is no cooking in this video, only eating and really bad jokes by emcee, Gary Cogill. Way to go, Evan.

Fans lined up for autographs. (Photo by R.P. Washburne)

What if you threw a happy hour party and everybody came? Last night Evan pulled off a great show over at Pappadeaux on Oak Lawn—over 350 folks turned up to meet and greet Michael Young, Ian Kinsler, Marlon Byrd, Scott Feldman, Taylor Teagarden, and Chris Davis. Long-time Rangers radio guy Eric Nadel stopped in for a surprise visit. InsideCorner’s ace photographer R.P. Washburne was there and sends a few pictures. You might as well jump.

Evan Grant was the host with the most. (Photo by R.P. Washburne)

Kids are still kids when it comes to baseball. (photo by R.P. Washburne)

Players sign autographs. People are happy. (photo by R.P. Washburne)

Young girl shows off camera Scott Feldman how to throw a curve ball. (Photo by R.P.Washburne)

Marlon Byrd promises his diamond watch to a young fan. Kidding. (Photo by R.P. Washburne)

Special thanks to producer, director and music arranger Ted Price of Rangers Podcast in Arlington

In general, here’s what I see: A faster than usual start caused by a favorable early schedule, a .500 club through the early summer, a rough August and a red-hot September. What’s all that get you? Hah. Gotta turn the page to find out. You also go here for a calendar version of the schedule. Or here to look back at your predictions.

APRIL: For the first time in years, the Rangers have an early-season schedule that is favorable to a fast start. They open at home for only the second time since 2000. They play nine of the first 12 at home. Only one April opponent (at Toronto, April 21-23) had a winning record in 2008. And there is a dearth of AL West opponents. The Rangers play three games vs. the West (vs. Oakland, April 28-30). It’s the fewest intra-division games they’ve played in April since 2000; they’ve played at least 10 games within the division in all but one of the last eight years (eight in 2008). Projected record: 12-10

MAY: The payback for the more favorable April schedule comes in May. There are nine games against playoff teams and three more against the New York Yankees (May 25-27), who may be welcoming Alex Rodriguez back to the lineup. The month includes the second trip to Detroit (May 19-21) in six weeks and the start of the battle for the Silver Boot with three games at Houston (May 22-24). Despite splitting the six-game series, the Rangers won the coveted trophy last year thanks to the John Blake Rule (run differential). The Rangers have held the trophy for two years. Projected record: 12-16

JUNE: The month starts out with the toughest road of the year (June 2-7) in which the Rangers visit new Yankee Stadium and old Fenway Park. Neither has been kind to Texas. The Rangers are 19-26 in New York since 2000 and 11-35 in Boston, including losses in the last eight games there. The last time the Rangers had the Yankees and Red Sox consecutively on the same road trip, they lost all seven meetings (2005). But the month also includes a 10-game homestand and 15 games against the NL West. The Rangers are 21-15 in interleague play under Ron Washington. Projected record: 15-12

JULY: Who says the scorching days of summer is tough on the Rangers? They play 15 of their 25 games at home during the month, so they hope to make the heat an advantage for themselves. Also, 10 of the 13 games leading up to the trade deadline are at home, so if this team is going to make a push into the pennant race, late July is the time. The Red Sox make their first visit of the season July 20-22. Plan for long nights. The Red Sox averaged nine runs a game against the Rangers last year. David Ortiz had five homers in 39 at-bats against Rangers pitching in 2008. Projected record: 13-12

AUGUST: The Rangers begin the month with nine consecutive games against the AL West, seven of which are on the road. Texas does not adjust well to the Pacific Time Zone. The Rangers had a winning road record within the division last year (16-13); it was the first winning road record in the division in a decade. And it doesn’t get much easier after that. A two-week stretch featuring nine games against the monsters of the AL East (Boston, New York and Tampa Bay) follows. Unless the club adds pitching at the trade deadline, August might wreck any hopes of playoff dreams. Projected record: 11-18

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER: The promise of the coming seasons should start to shine through in September when rosters can be expanded. If Derek Holland and Neftali Feliz aren’t in the majors already, they’ll make their debuts before Labor Day (Sept. 7). The Rangers play 20 of their final 23 games within the division. Rolling through those games with promising young pitching could serve notice on the division about what to expect in years to come. Projected record: 21-10

2009 Projection: 84-78 (2^nd place in AL West)

UPDATE: In case you missed the semi-large announcement (well, I guess any announcement involving me is large), I’ve joined the Fox Sports Southwest team and will be a pre- and post-game analyst for about 15 games this season on Rangers Live.