Rangers..Offense Best Defense???

[MedicTJ]

Everybody's wondering how these guys are going to pan out.

As far as their pitching goes, they have one of the weakest staffs in the league. Helling and Rogers are the two main starters and they both posted ERA's well above 4 last season.

The question is, can some of the defense behind them make up for it. I kind of doubt it. And even bigger questions reside in the bullpen. Can Crabtree come through?

Randy Velarde's numbers should go up considering who he'll have protecting him in the lineup. One thing has me wondering about Alex Rodriguez though. And that's Ken Griffey Junior. Griffey struggled at times last season and I believe it was because expectations were so high. I can't help but think that Rodriguez is in the same boat, if not even more. 252 million reasons to feel the pressure.

The first time he slumps....and he will....he's going to hear about it. As he should. He'll need to overcome that in order to continue to post the career numbers he's known for.

My prediction for the Rangers? Second place behind Oakland in the West. BUT.....with the wild card spot.

[iFroggy]

I think they will be 3rd or 4th in the Wild Card race.

[Wedge231]

I think Red Sox or Toronto are better bets for Wild Card. If they do make it into the post season, Rogers will blow it. Just like that 1999 NLCS. Well maybe not but that staff looks weak.

[MedicTJ]

As far as the Red Sox go, a lot is gonna depend on Nomar's status. The last I heard they were keeping the cast on for another week. But it's a REAL wierd injury and not one that I've ever heard of before. So I imagine they'll be pretty cautious with him. I would think that taking the time now, and not pushing him, would be of their own benefit. They don't want him hurting come playoff time. And I don't blame them. Garciaparra is a MUST for them to make a run at it.