Texas Rangers June 27 Week in Review: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not

Jun 26, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A ball hit by Toronto Blue Jays center fielder

(not pictured) gets by Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis  Andrus (1) and Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned  Odor (12) in the seventh inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Texas Rangers have finally started to slow down after they had remained hot for all of May and most of June. Good news for the Rangers is that the only team to win more than half of their last 10 games is the Oakland Athletics so there was not much movement at the top of the division. While the Houston Astros have the second best record in the American League, the rest of the division remains in striking distance with the Rangers just 5 games behind. With 88 games remaining, anything can happen with injuries, hot/cold streaks, and even trades.

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The Rangers lost all six games they played this week, which is their longest losing streak of the season. They also managed to tie their season high yesterday with 12 runs given up. The Rangers finished up their series with the Chicago White Sox by losing the last two games of the series 2-3 in each game. After having Monday off, they came back home to a sweep by the Oakland Athletics by a combined total of 11-22. They finished up the week against the Toronto Blue Jays last night, losing 2-12.

Looking ahead to the week, the Rangers will finish the series against the Toronto Blue Jays today and tomorrow. They stay on the road, travelling to take on the Baltimore Orioles. They will finish off the week by coming home for the beginning of a series against division-rival Los Angeles Angels.

So, which players were a crucial part of the Texas Rangers success last week? Which players struggled, as the Rangers were able to overcome their issues and win anyway? Let’s take a look back at the week that was for the Rangers, as we see which players were hot, and which were not.

Let us begin with those who struggled last week.

Next: Martin Slow Continues

Jun 24, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher

(51) pitches against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

2. Starting Rotation

Just a week after making the top of the Hot list, the starting rotation had a rough week. Starters took home the loss in four of the six games with two of the losses belonging to Nick Martinez. The two losses from the bullpen came from Alex Claudio and Keone Kela.

Martinez started two games and gave up 12 runs (10 earned) in 12 innings while striking out just four. Wandy Rodriguez added a rough performance as he gave up eight runs on 11 hits in just four innings. Even Chi Chi Gonzalez joined in, putting up his worst start of the season by giving up six runs on eight hits across 5.2 innings.

The long bright spot of the staff was Yovani Gallardo, who managed to pitch five shutout innings although the lineup wasn’t able to help him out. With lingering rumors of the need of an ace pitcher such as Cole Hamels, Gallardo has stepped up his play and is pitching like he wants to be the ace to lead this team to the playoffs. He has several young pitchers behind him and they will all need to look to him the remainder of the season for guidance.

Next: Choo Not Living Up to Contract

Jun 25, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo  Choo (17) breaks his bat on a single in the third inning against the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

1. Shin-Soo Choo

Choo had another rough week for the Rangers and has added to his worst hitting season of his career. Choo is now hitting .230/.316/.381 in his first 66 games and has fans frustrated as he has not lived up to his big contract. As long as he remains healthy, his contract will keep him in the lineup so he will need to start proving he should be in there every game.

This week, Choo played in just four games after missing time with back spasms, but hit .118/.167/.176 in 17 ABs. He struck out five times while drawing just one walk and did not manage to drive in any runs nor score any of his own. Another reason the Rangers need DeShields back is to get Choo out of the top of the lineup where he has been struggling. We have all been waiting for Choo to turn the corner and get back to the players the Rangers were trying to get when they signed, but the player we have seen this year might be the player we will be seeing until the year 2020.

And now, a look at who has been hot in the past week.

Next: Andrus turning it around?

Jun 23, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis  Andrus (1) hits a lead off double during the second inning against the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

3. Elvis Andrus

Andrus had what was arguably his best week of the season. For the season he is still just hitting .244/.302/.327 but this week he could be showing us what he has in store for the rest of the season. While fans are still discussing whether the Rangers should be trading Andrus, he continues to work hard to try to get back to the Andrus we knew just a few short years ago.

This past week, Andrus hit .316/.381/.474 with six hits in 19 ABs. Three of his hits went for doubles and he drove in two runs while scoring three of his own. His week was highlighted by a two-game performance against the Athletics in which he went 5-for-9. He continues to find success when he hits lower in the order, as he hits .294/400/.588 when batting fifth and .292/.321/.354 when batting sixth. In his 31 games in which he hit second, he hit just .200/.279/.248.

Also considered for this spot: Relief Pitcher Anthony Bass, who threw five shutout innings across two games, striking out seven and walking just one.

Next: Moreland Continues to Break Out

Jun 25, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers first baseman Mitch  Moreland ((18) hits a solo home run in the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

2. Mitch Moreland

Since he returned from injury in May, Moreland has remained a crucial part of this team. For the season, he is hitting .306/.344/.510 which are all much higher than his career averages. Moreland has added nine home runs and 35 RBI for what could prove to be the breakout season for the 29-year-old.

This week, Moreland continued his hot play, hitting .320/.320/440 with a home run and two RBI in 25 ABs. Moreland has also turned it around defensively, with his best season so far at first base which has allowed fellow top hitter Prince Fielder to thrive in his designated hitter role.

Although not being considered in the All-Star vote for first baseman, Moreland should get consideration for a reserve role for the American League. While the AL is deep overall at the first-base position, even being in the talks is a solid step in the right direction for Moreland.

Next: Back on Top

Jun 26, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince  Fielder (84) heads for home on a solo home run in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

1. Prince Fielder

It is finally fair to say that Fielder is back to his ways of dominating opposing pitchers. He has hit an incredible .346/.415/.539 with 12 home runs and 48 RBI in 72 games this season. Filder hasn’t done much fielding, as mentioned in the Moreland slide, which has kept him fresh and allowed him to stay healthy just a year after he played only 42 games.

This week Fielder had another one of his incredible performances, hitting .281/.500/.714 with five of his eight hits going for extra bases. Fielder drove in just one run, coming on a home run, but scored three himself. It is tough for pitchers to pitch around Fielder as he has great patience at the plate, as evidenced by his five walks he drew this week.

Even with these top performances this week belonging to batters this week, as a team they were not able to string enough together to score when they needed to. If the team is able to get some extra support from the entire lineup and take advantage in key situations then they should turn it around this week with some good games.

This week’s prediction: The Rangers score 10+ runs in one game this week and 6+ in two additional games and win five of their seven games.

Next: A Look at the Texas Rangers Five Game Losing Streak