Five Bold Predictions for the Texas Rangers in 2014

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

With the SuperBowl officially past we find ourselves less than two weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting. It is time for baseball. Presented below are five of my predictions for the Texas Rangers in 2014.

1. Ian Kinsler hammers his former team in head to head match ups but Nelson Cruz does not (provided he lands on a team that plays Texas). A. J. Pierzynski is also quiet against Texas.

Texas will have to face Kinsler this year as they will have both a home and away series against Detroit. Kinsler is the kind of player that will feed on the extra motivation of playing his former and long time team. Kinsler and Texas parted on good terms but the motivation to play well against one’s former team will still be there. Kinsler will get around 25 at bats against Texas if he is healthy and in the lineup for Detroit vs. Texas games. I expect Kinlser will hit at least a couple homeruns and will bat .300 or better against his former club.

Cruz and Pierzynski on the other hand will be easier for Texas to neutralize. Neither one will feed on the motivation like Kinsler will and both have big holes in their swings that Texas will be able to be able to exploit. I do not think either will hit a four bagger against Texas and both will feature OBPs lower than .330.