Texas Rangers Still Second in the American League

May 2, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Joakim Soria (28) celebrates with Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington after the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The Texas Rangers defeated the Los Angeles Angels 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

After watching the Texas Rangers get swept at home in terrible fashion by the team that is the biggest competition in the Oakland Athletics, it is easy to get frustrated and start to feel like this Texas Rangers team is just not that good. Let me put your mind at rest for now. I am not trying to sell you that this is the best Texas Rangers team we have ever seen, far from it so far, but what I am telling you is that the Texas Rangers are tied with the second best record in the American League, despite the fact that J.P. Arencibia couldn’t hit a stationary beach ball with a car, and despite the fact that home-run threat Prince Fielder is a double play/ground out machine. Oh, and don’t forget that Adrian Beltre still has not hit a home-run in 2014 despite the fact that we are now into May.

Even with all of those things working against the Texas Rangers, they are still 5th in batting average, tied for 5th in On-Base-Percentage, have struck out the third fewest times, and lead the league in stolen bases. On the pitching side of things the Texas Rangers lead the league in shut outs and complete game shutouts (2 by Martin Perez), they lead the league in hit by pitch (that’s not really a good thing, but I thought I would mention it), and they are right around the league average with ERA (this last week really didn’t help in that category).

The point of it all is, as bad as the Texas Rangers looked for the four game losing streak that they just finished up, they are still right there in the mix as we begin the second month of the baseball season. They will get Jurickson Profar, Geovany Soto and Derek Holland in the next two months. The Texas Rangers have the second best record in the American League (tied with the NY Yankees), and they are only going to get healthier. So hang on to your hats Texas Rangers fans; cause the season is only getting started and the Texas Rangers are right where we want them to be!