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2010 Texas Rangers MLB Predictions

Written March 11, 2010 by Jack Jones

Nolan Ryan made his impact last season, making the Rangers a pitching-first team in his second year on the job as club president. Texas led the AL in shutouts with 11, and their 4.38 ERA as a staff ranked above average. As a result, the Rangers finished with their first winning season since 2004, going 87-75. Texas didn’t make the playoffs in the last decade, but they are set up to make a run at the postseason for years to come. For a team that had been known for their offense over the past decade, the Rangers struggled at the dish last season, and it was the main reason they could not win their division. Their .320 on-base percentage was the third-worst in the American League, and the Rangers swung at the first pitch more often than any team in baseball. If they can get more plate discipline this season, and similar success from their pitching staff, Texas could finally overtake the Angels in the AL West. Baseball lines are set for futures wagering, with the Rangers projected win total at 84.5. You will find these lines at BetUS where they are giving away a 100% match-bonus to new customers who sign up and make a deposit!

Pitching:

Texas made a smart move by selling high on Kevin Millwood, who was coming off one of his most productive years of his career. That made room to sign strikeout king Rich Harden, and if he can stay healthy, this move should pay major dividends. Harden went 9-9 with a 4.09 ERA with the Cubs last season after a 2008 in which he went 10-2 with a 2.07 ERA. Scott Feldman was the best of the bunch last season, going 17-8 with a 4.08 ERA, and he’ll take over the No. 2 role this year. Tommy Hunter had more ups than downs last season, going 9-6 with a 4.10 ERA. Derek Holland wasn’t spectacular at 8-13 with a 6.12 ERA in his rookie season, but he’s got a lot of potential and a 95 MPH fastball. Brandon McCarthy was effective last year in a limited role, going 7-4 with a 4.62 ERA. He’ll battle it out for the No. 5 spot in the rotation along with Matt Harrison and Colby Lewis. The Rangers have one of the best young bullpens in the league, as their relievers combined for a 3.95 ERA last season. Frank Francisco is their closer, recording 25 saves a year ago. C.J. Wilson posted a 2.81 ERA and Darren O’Day sported a 1.84 ERA last season. Then there’s promising young Neftali Feliz who was spectacular last season and features a 102 MPH fastball. Opposing batters hit just .124 against him last season in 31 innings, striking out 39. He could move into the rotation before too long, but for now he’ll remain in the bullpen.

Hitting:

The Rangers once had several young catching prospects, but none have panned out. Jarrod Saltalamacchia will get the starting job, but his shoulder problems are a major concern. He has steadily gotten worse at the plate for three straight seasons. Taylor Teagarden will get the job if Salty cannot hold up. 1B Chris Davis enters his third season with the Rangers, and though he hits for a ton of power, he struggled to see the ball at the plate. Davis did hit 21 HR’s with 59 RBI’s last season but his .238 average is a concern. 2B Ian Kinsler hit .319 and scored 102 runs in 2008, but he tried to become more of a power-hitter last year, and as a result his average suffered. Kinsler hit just .253 despite bombing 31 HR’s with 86 RBI’s. 3B Michael Young is as steady as a rock, hitting .322 with 22 HR’s and 68 RBI’s in 2009. He is perennially a .300 hitter for the Rangers. SS Elvis Andrus impressed with his speed and his glove in an ‘09 rookie campaign, and he’ll begin the season as their starter. Andrus hit .267 and stole 33 bases last year. The outfield features Julio Barbon in center, Josh Hamilton in left and Nelson Cruz in right. Barbon came on late last season to hit .312 with 30 Runs and 19 SB’s in just 157 at-bats. Hamilton spent two stints on the DL last season, and remains and injury concern. But when healthy, Hamilton his one of the best hitters in the game after posting a .304 BA with 32 HR’s and 130 RBI’s in a historic 2008 season. Cruz had a breakout year, hitting .260 with 33 HR’s and 76 RBI’s last season. He is also a threat on the bases, registering 20 SB’s in ‘09. David Murphy makes for a great platooning outfielder, hitting .269 with 17 HR’s and 57 RBI’s last season. The Rangers signed DH Vlad Guerrero from the Angels and hope he can return to form after several years in L.A. as one of the most feared hitters in baseball. Guerrero had hit 25 or more HR’s in 11 straight seasons before missing time due to injury last year, though he still managed 15 bombs.

Jack’s Prediction: 3rd in the AL West and UNDER 84.5 Wins – The Rangers have plenty of young talent, but a lot of it is unproven. Looking at their line-up, the Rangers can match-up with almost any team in baseball. But I’m not sold on their pitching staff, even though they had a breakthrough season last year. In the starting rotation right now, Texas doesn’t have anyone who finished with lower than a 4.08 ERA in 2009. Harden is a major injury risk and there’s certainly no guarantee he’ll be able to make it through an entire season. The only starter I really trust on this staff is Feldman after a 17-win season, but what are the chances he can match last year’s performance? Somewhere around a .500 season can be expected, but the Rangers just don’t have what it takes yet to get by the Angels, or even the Mariners who are primed for a big season with their starting staff.

You can find MLB picks from expert handicapper Jack Jones right here at Betfirms! If you want help this season, or are new to baseball betting, then give Jack a try and he’ll guide you to solid profits all year long!