2006 Texas Rangers Predictions & Season Preview
June 5, 2008
With our 2006 Texas Rangers predictions let’s not waste any time breaking down a surefire money-making trend from last season on the Rangers. The Rangers have produced winning results 6 of the last 7 years 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. Watch to see if this trend continues in 2006. We may have found a solid gold play.
After putting together a fluke season in 2004 which saw them finish 16 games above the .500 mark and earning backers 24 units, the Rangers cam back down to earth. I’m expecting them to fall even more this season as they let go of 2 established starters in Kenny Rodgers and Chris Young. They may have a potent offense, but good pitching is harder to com by. 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.
On the offensive side of the coin, 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. Mark Teixeria had 43 bombs, Delluci had 29, Mench had 25, Blalock had 25 as well, Young added 24, and Barajas slugged 21, but with the holes in the pitching staff, I don’t think they have what it takes to over take Oakland or Anaheim in their 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.
The boys from Arlington take pitchers deep better than any other lineup in the game. 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. 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. It may also be a smart move to take a look at playing overs on this team, especially if you can catch them in a hot stretch.