Five Bold Predictions for the Texas Rangers’ Pitching Staff in 2014

5. Matt Harrison starts hot and fades badly.

Mar 31, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Matt Harrison (54) throws a pitch against the Houston Astros in the second inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The expectations cannot be too high for a pitcher coming off of two back surgeries. Harrison is a more than serviceable starting pitcher  when healthy so I will predict that he starts strong with a sub 3.50 ERA but around the half way point Harrison’s conditioning start to show and his second half ERA will be over 4.50. Harrison had a 3.38 ERA in 2011 and a 3.29 ERA in 2012. This kind of production would be more than welcome in Texas. Can Harrison put up a low 3 ERA? Perhaps, but we should manage our expectations for Harrison until he proves he is all the way back from injury.

Bonus. Yu Darvish wins the CY Young award.

If one prediction is that Yu will be under 2.50 ERA it only makes sense that Darvish will be a front runner for the CY Young. Darvish has the stuff to win the CY Young, he is clutch in big games and has the kind of strike out numbers necessary to impress voters. Look for Darvish to post insane strikeouts and limit runs in 2014. Darvish has improved every year and he will keep up this trend this year. Darvish will solidify himself as the best starter in the American League and bring the Cy Young to Texas in 2014.