Rangers Report: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not

Sep 11, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Colby Lewis (48) has water dumped on him by shortstop Elvis Andrus (1) after winning the game against the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Texas won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to the first week of Rangers Report, where I will take a look at some of the past performances by players in the past week, and do a quick little recap on how the past week has gone for the team.

The Rangers will need strong performances night in and night out in order to make the playoffs. Every game is incredibly critical, and the difference between winning the AL West and grabbing a Wild Card spot is huge. If the Rangers win the West, then they will be guaranteed a spot in the ALDS where they will get to play in a five game series. If they only get a WC spot, then they will find themselves in a one game playoff, which anything can happen in a one game playoff. Not only that, but Cole Hamels would only get to pitch once in the ALDS whereas the other teams ace will probably get two go’s at it.

The Rangers went a mediocre 4-3 this past week, especially considering that they faced the two worst teams in the AL West. Some would say this doesn’t come as much of a surprise though, as they have continually struggled against sub-.500 ball clubs. They did get unlucky in facing Felix Hernandez, but they avoided Sonny Gray and overall got a good draw this past week. Needless to say, the series starting tonight will be the biggest of the season for the Rangers.

That being said, the Rangers Report is all about individual performances, and in this slideshow I will look into who’s been hot for the Rangers in the past week, and who has not.

Next: Hot: Shin Soo Choo

Sep 7, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Shin-Soo Choo (17) reacts after scoring the second run in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Hot: Shin Soo Choo

Shin Soo Choo has been the victim of Rangers criticism for two years now, and rightfully so. But in the past week he has shown exactly why the Rangers were so excited to get him a couple years ago. He has been getting on base, hitting for power, and wrecking havoc in the lineup.

In the past week, Choo has hit .357 (10-for-28), with a double, two home runs, and six RBIs. But if you recall, Choo’s greatest ability in Cleveland was his ability to get on base. He’s showcasing that ability finally in a Rangers uniform, working six walks in the past week.

This is incredibly encouraging for Rangers fans, because this is the second week in a row in which he has put together a solid outing. So far in September, he’s hitting .359 with three doubles, a triple, and two home runs.

If the Rangers can get consistent contributions from Choo at the dish, this lineup instantly becomes much more formidable.

Next: Cold: Adrian Beltre

Sep 7, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (29) hits a two-run RBI single in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Cold: Adrian Beltre

Veteran players are going to be relied upon down the stretch for the Rangers, and Beltre will certainly be one of those guys. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been up to par in the past seven days.

Beltre has hit a meager .207 (6-for-29) for the Rangers in the past week, collecting two home runs in the process. Now I’m not going to sit here and say I am overly worried, because, I’m not. Baseball is a game of ups and downs, and I think that is all you are seeing here with Beltre. He ended the series against Seattle in an abysmal way, but just about every Ranger hitter did, as he ended 0-12 in the series.

But coming back home seems to have provided the remedy he needed, as he’s gone 5-for-13 in the home series so far. His power surge in the series finale against the A’s, clubbing two home runs, will hopefully get him going for the remainder of the season.

Next: Hot: Colby Lewis

Sep 11, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Colby Lewis (48) throws a pitch in the ninth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Texas won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Hot: Colby Lewis

When you go out and throw an absolute gem in your one outing over the past week, you know you’ll have a spot in the “hot” section. I was incredibly worried about Lewis, as his past couple of starts were just abysmal. But the veteran wasn’t rattled, and threw an absolute masterpiece against the A’s.

Lewis was his vintage self, pitching nine scoreless innings of two hit ball, carrying a perfect game late into the game. He commanded the srikezone, walking no one, and kept A’s hitters off balance all night. Of the 29 batters he faced, he struck out four and induced 17 batters to fly out. Lewis is at his best when he is able to get hitters to hit lazy popups, and that is exactly what he did this past week.

Next: Cold: Delino DeShields

Sep 11, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Delino DeShields (7) catches a line drive in the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Cold: Delino DeShields

I’m a huge DeShields fan, what he has brought to the table has been absolutely huge for the Rangers. His ability to swipe bags and be a threat on the base paths is something this lineup needed, and he has certainly brought it. That being said, DeShields has struggled over the course of the past week.

DeShields is hitting a putrid .154 (2-for-13) with a double and two runs scored. His six strikeouts in the past five games are also a cause for concern, especially when you consider the speed he possesses. That speed being said, it is also a little alarming that he hasn’t had a stolen base over the past ten games. But, not all hope is lost for DeShields, as he has an OBP of .353 over the past week. So while he is still getting on base, you would love to see him generating a few more chances.

Next: Hot: Cole Hamels

Sep 10, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus (1) reacts after a failed stolen base attempt against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Cold: Elvis Andrus

When you start the week by not recording a single hit in a four game series, you know you’ll end up in the “cold section” unless you go on an absolute tear to finish the week. Andrus has been much better in the second half of the season, but he struggled mightily the past week, especially in the beginning.

Andrus was shut out in Seattle, going 0-for-14 in the four game series. That being said, no one hit worth a lick in Seattle. He was able to make contact in every at bat, and did get robbed on a beautiful double play by Seattle SS Ketel Marte. Still, going 0-for-14 is never a good look.

The friendly confines of Globe Life Park in Arlington seemed to have changed his fortunes, as he hit a career high three doubles on Saturday, September 13^th. He followed that up by going 1-for-3 with two walks in the route against the Oakland A’s.

Next: Cold: Prince Fielder

Sep 11, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder (84) smiles in the dugout during the game against the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Texas won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Cold: Prince Fielder

Have an idea on what has been going on? It’s been the Rangers bats, not pitching, that have caused some concern. Prince Fielder has been spectacular for the Rangers in 2015, someone who has to be a strong contender for comeback player of the year. But the trip to Seattle wasn’t too kind to the big fella, as it wasn’t for the whole Rangers team.

Fielder has hit a disappointing .227 (6-for-27) for the Rangers in the past week, including just one extra base hit, a double in Saturdays game against the A’s. His two RBI’s in the past ten games is also alarming, as the Rangers will need him to drive in runs down the stretch.

In my opinion, Prince Fielder is the most important Ranger down the stretch. You know what you are going to get from Beltre, but Fielder is the guy who will have to step up in the middle of the order. If he can get going, especially with Choo getting on in front of him, then this Rangers team has the ability to score with anybody in the AL.

Next: Hot: Shawn Tolleson

Sep 8, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Chris Gimenez (38) shakes hands with pitcher Shawn Tolleson (37) following the final out of a 9-6 victory against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Hot: Shawn Tolleson

Shawn Tolleson started the month in disappointing fashion, but boy has he turned it around since. Tolleson has pitched three scoreless outings since then, allowing just one hit in the three outings.

Tolleson has been a true savior to this Rangers bullpen, and someone that the Rangers can certainly depend on down the stretch. When you think of great postseason teams, you think of dominant closers to close out ballgames. It is almost impossible to make a postseason run without a bullpen, and the Rangers and Shawn Tolleson make that dream possible now.

Next: Beltre power Rangers in series finale

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