Rangers Roundup: August 14th

The Rangers had a subpar road trip, going 2-4 against the Mariners and Twins. They could have won three of the games they lost. For a team that was playing so well away from home, this type of performance is disappointing. Still, with 33 road wins, the Rangers lead the majors in that category. The Cardinals and Cubs are tied for second with 31.

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Other than one bad inning, Chi Chi Gonzalez pitched fairly well in his spot start yesterday. Other than the Twins four run second, he only allowed one run and just five hits overall. On the downside he walked five batters while only picking up four strikeouts. But he has looked solid overall this season and I think he will be a regular starter in 2016.

Mitch Moreland had himself a day as he hit a homerun and a two run double that propelled the Rangers to a win. He got the Rangers on the board with a two run shot that scored Adrian Beltre in the fourth, then in the fifth he hit a two run double that scored Beltre and Prince Fielder.

Tonight the Rangers open a three game series with Tampa Bay in Arlington. Martin Perez will start for the Rangers against Nathan Karns. After struggling his first two starts, Perez has pitched well in his last two outings–allowing just four runs, three earned, in 14.1 innings. He also has 11 strikeouts through his first two starts this month, where he only got five in three starts in August. As for Karns, the Texas Tech product has won his last three decisions and the Rays have won the last four games he has started.

The Rangers also got some good news earlier today when they found out that Josh Hamilton will be back in the lineup tonight after getting an MRI on his knee yesterday.

There is one main hope the Rangers can hang their hats on in the playoff race–mediocrity in the AL West. Right now the Rangers sit one game under .500 but only five games back of the Astros. The Rangers are currently on pace for 80 wins while the Astros are on pace for 87. The Angels sit between them, on pace for 85 wins. It might take just one hot streak for the Rangers to surge to the top of this division. Should be an interesting final month and a half.