Texas Rangers Spring Training Recap: March 15th

Jul 5, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher

(49) hands the ball over to manager

(38) during the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

The third, fourth and fifth Texas Rangers starting rotation spot are still open, and it is becoming obvious that absolutely no one is interested in winning those spots. Well, maybe that is an exaggeration, but the combined ERA’s of Colby Lewis, Alexi Ogando, Nick Tepesch, Tommy Hanson, Michael Kirkman, Joe Saunders, Robbie Ross and Tanner Scheppers is 7.34, and that includes Robbie having a 2.08 ERA in 8.2 innings, Tanner having a 3.12 ERA in 8.2 innings, Hanson having a 3.24 ERA in 8.0 innings and Kirkman having a 3.38 ERA in 8.0 innings. The rest is a mess. Alexi Ogando is sporting an 8.64 ERA in 8.1 innings, Saunders has a 9.00 ERA in 3 innings, Tepesch is at an 11.25 ERA in 8.0 innings, and Lewis is at an 18.00 ERA in just 4 innnigs. So who would you have as the last three starters in the rotation?

The Texas Rangers played the Oakland Athletics yesterday and won in a game that was not pitched well by either team, seeing that the final was 16-15. Once again, they say that you can’t take too much out of a spring training game, but I believe it beginning to get close enough to the season that we should be a little worried about the Texas Rangers rotation. The offense is looking pretty good, but there some good performances from some minor league guys in yesterday’s contest. Nick Williams hit two home runs, Chirinos had a home run as well as Michael Choice. Jurickson Profar had his wisdom teeth removed so he was out yesterday as well and Adrian Beltre who injured his quad a few days ago.

Only 15 more days to go until opening day against the Phillies, and I am personally worried about the starting rotation. This team (right now anyway) is shaping up to be the kind of Texas Rangers team that can out hit almost anyone but cannot pitch after the first two guys in the rotation. It looks like (at this point) the Texas Rangers may have to weaken the bull pen some to make the rotation stronger with Scheppers and Ross, because I am not sure anyone else on the roster wants the job. Rangers play the White Sox today at 3:05 ct.