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)

Now on to the tough parts, casting the Rangers characters. That’s where you come in. Help me out here, will you. For the first role, we’ll start right at the top: owner Tom Hicks.

For the part, I need somebody with the ability speak in a baritone Texas drawl, a thinning but distinguished hairline and a powerful presence.

So what do you think? Flip the page for your options.

Robert Duvall

Gene Hackman (who says he’s retired, but certainly could be lured out for the role of a lifetime, right?)

So, get to voting. We don’t need no stinkin’ Hollywood casting directors. Let’s get this done.