Too Many Changes

Oh the Rangers!!! What a season they are having!!! It's been so exciting to watch this year. To finally have the complete package of pitching, hitting, and defense!! So, that was in July, and still rings true today, except I think we could be even better if it weren't for the changes.

I'm not gonna dog on Ron Washington too much because lets face it, he took our Rangers team from losing horribly every year to, in just three years, turning the club around to where we're competitors and contenders! BUT, we were doing soooo well in July and then when Kinsler got hurt, things seemed to change a bit. A bit too much. We aquired Cliff Lee, one of the best moves we could have ever done! That change was awesome! Deciding to add on Christian Guzman to cover second it probably my biggest concern. He hasn't really proven himself at the bat or in the field. We had two perfectly capable guys in Andres Blanco (great defenseman) and Juaquin Arias (who was hitting the bat pretty well). I don't think they were given enough of a fair shot.

Then we go and get not one, but two first basemen to replace undoubtedly one of the cutest we've had (that's besides the point), Chris Davis. I think we would've done well just to bring up Mitch Moreland. He seems to be proving himself at the bat game after game.

Another good change I have to add is David Murphy being a starter! DON'T MESS WITH THE MURPH!!! I've got to make me a T-shirt.

Ok, back to changes!!! The relievers!!! They're all really good, but Ron Washington, in my opinion, switches them out too often. I was listening to 103.5 The Fan after the game last night and one of the broadcasters thought he might be over managing. I think he hit the nail on the head. I absolutely agree. When you have a pitcher as hot as Darin O'Day you don't send him in for one pitcher. Especially when he gets that batter out and we are in a crucial point in the game. See if he can't get that final guy out. Here's another especially, lol, especially when the batter is a righty. Why did we go and call Darren Oliver? My only explanation, which I can't stand by the way, but baseball is all about statistics, is that the next batter was going to be a lefty. But, he wasn't!!! So, Oliver should have come in the 7th inning. Once again, these are my opinions!

One change I do think that Ron Washington seriously needs to contemplate is moving Frankie Francisco up in the rotation of relivers. I do not believe he should be the set up guy. So, put him behind O'Day or Oliver. Lets see if Alexi Ogando can be that set up guy for us. I definately believe he has major potential to be. He's shown me some good things. Now, I know I don't know a whole lot about baseball, but over the last several years watchihg and listening to crazed fans on the radio, talk about how we need to send Frankie down to triple A, give Vladimir a rest, move Josh to DH, and are freaking out about losing a close game to the Yankees mind you, I had to post what I felt.

Oh, how can I forget to talk about Scott Feldman and Rich Harden! So, Scott's supposed to be our Ace and he failed us so we go and pick up Rich Harden. Everyone's so excited because he's it, he's the one to help us! He fails us and gets hurt goes on the DL. We give Scott another chance, he still can't seem to do it and when Rich returns from DL we give him another shot. After the first game things looked really promising, but then he fails us again. Meanwhile, Derek Holland who pitched really well for us unfortunately got hurt and is rehabbing in Triple A. I believe in giving Harden another shot, but another bad outing and I say lets bring back the kid. I know this is bad on my part, but I honestly am so pessimistic when either Feldman and Harden are up pitching. I just sit there and pray that our batting will out bat the other team that night because I have no faith them. Maybe it's my attitude that needs to change. lol And maybe I should just stop caring all together. Afterall it is JUST A GAME!!!

So, take it with a grain of salt as you may! I'm loving watching every minute of Rangers baseball that I can. It's exciting to see the team do well. I remember watching back in 96 - 99 and how exciting that was. I believe this 2010 team is a whole lot better than that too, so I have high hopes for us this year!!! But, we got to keep on doing what we know how to do and we need to keep on winning.

GO RANGERS!!!

ENUGGET: I guess this would be let's keep what's good, good! If it's working for you why change. Now, that's not necessarily a life lesson, just a sports lesson. Making some tweaks is ok because you always want to try and make your team better. But, there comes a point, where too many, is too much and can ultimately have a negative effect.
P.S. I'm so happy for Nolan Ryan!!! Another positive change, I think, that will just make our team that much better in seasons to come!!