Why the Texas Rangers can win the World Series

Sep 16, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder (84) rounds third base after hitting a three run home run during the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers defeat the Astros 14-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

What was a pipe dream two months ago and an improbable wish a month ago, has now become a very real reality. The Texas Rangers are a playoff team, and not just a playoff team, but also the favorites to become AL West champions. They haven’t locked that up yet, by any means for that matter, but they do have the inside track. For many across the MLB, it has come as a wake up call. For the AL West, it’s become a harsh slap in the face; these Texas Rangers are for real.

This Rangers ball club is fun, nasty, and they get after people. It’s safe to assume that no one wants to play this ball club, and rightfully so. They have a great mix of veterans and younger guys, and they are finding ways to win night in and night out. This team has made me believe that not only can they be playoff contenders, but World Series contenders as well.

Here are five reasons why the Rangers have what it takes to win the World Series

Next: Most Complete Rotation Among AL Contenders

Sep 14, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) pitches against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Most Complete Rotation Among AL Contenders

What? The Texas Rangers, the Power Rangers as they have been called, have the most complete rotation in the AL? Yes, why yes they do.

This rotation has been one constantly hampered by injuries, and their opening day starting rotation resembles nothing to that of what they have now. Cole Hamels was a Phillie, Derek Holland was rehabbing, and Martin Perez was figuring out how to use his newly reconstructed elbow. But that was then and this is now, and now looks a lot better for the Rangers.

Hamels has come in and done exactly what the Rangers wanted him to do, win. Hamels is riding a six game winning streak, his last loss coming August seventh against the Seattle Mariners.

Holland has come in and provided some much-needed stability to this rotation, hurling a 3.77 ERA in his short season.

Perez has had his struggles, but in the biggest game of the season, he throws seven sparkling innings while giving up just one run. And at this point in the season the injuries might actually be a blessing, as Perez and Holland will have fresh arms rolling into the postseason.

Now let’s look at the contenders. We have the Royals, but they have been a train wreck in the month of September. Prized possession Johnny Cueto has a 5.43 ERA for the Royals since coming over from Cincinnati, and has seen that ERA balloon from a 1.80 to a 5.43 in just a month. So what exactly is the Royals ERA in September? The Royals have a horrendous 5.98 ERA in September, which is 27^th in Major League Baseball.

How about the Houston Astros, the team who went out and got Scott Kazmir in hopes of solidifying their starting rotation. Well, that rotation has had their doors blown off by the Rangers, and has a 5.20 ERA in the month of September. The young arms seem to be tiring, which can’t be overly surprising consider the youngsters have never had a baseball season this long.

The Rangers however, have the best ERA in September of all AL teams who would be in the playoffs if it started tonight. This isn’t your typical “Power Rangers” team, this a team that has the most complete rotation in the AL.

Next: Bullpen Coming to Form

Sep 2, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Sam Dyson (right) and catcher Bobby Wilson (8) celebrate a 4-3 win over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Bullpen Coming to Form

The Rangers bullpen was an absolute headache earlier in the season. You had to hope for the Rangers starter to go deep into the game, or you knew it would get out of hand in a hurry. But Jon Daniels went out and made some sneaky good moves at the trade deadline, moves that are paying dividends in the playoff push.

We first start with Sam Dyson, who was acquired from the Miami Marlins on July 31^st. Dyson is a flamethrower out of the bullpen, a power arm that has the ability to get both lefties and righties out. He has become the setup man for Rangers closer Shawn Tolleson, and sports an impressive 1.66 ERA since coming over. He last gave up a run seven outings ago against the Toronto Blue Jays, and has only given up that one run in his past ten games.

Then we move to Jake Diekman, the forgotten man in the Cole Hamels trade. Diekman is a hard throwing LHP, something that the Rangers didn’t have before he came over. Diekman has an impressive 2.65 ERA since coming from Philadelphia, often overpowering hitters with his fastball. He’s only allowed two runs in his past ten outings (both runs came in a single outing vs. the Mariners) and he struck out the side two outings ago against the A’s.

But the biggest story of them all has to be Tolleson, a waiver claim a couple of years back. For any expert to say they saw this coming, they’d be a bold-faced liar. Tolleson has been the surprise of the year, as he has been sensational. Tolleson has converted 32/34 save opportunities, with his last blown save coming in late August against the Blue Jays. He has converted his last seven save opportunities, including two scoreless innings in the biggest series of the season against the Houston Astros.

This bullpen has finally come to form, and Banister has done a great job of managing them.

Next: Scorching Hot at the Right Time

Sep 14, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (29) and designated hitter Prince Fielder (84) celebrate Fielder

Veterans Stepping Up

Veterans are essential to a positive postseason run, and the veterans that the Rangers have are doing more than their fair share. The Rangers have that perfect mix of young and old, and the old guys are leading the young guys to becoming a postseason juggernaut.

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Adrian Beltre has had a rough year for his standards, some of that has to do with his nagging injuries that he has dealt with all year. But the future Hall of Famer has done nothing wrong in the past week. The 17-year veteran is hitting a scorching .414 (12-for-29) with two doubles, two home runs, and eight RBIs in the past week alone. Not only that, but when he is getting on base, he is finding ways to cross home plate. Adrian Beltre has scored eight runs for the Rangers in the past week, which means he has had some part in 16 Rangers runs.

Prince Fielder sees those gaudy numbers and somehow, raises him. Fielder is hitting .400 (12-for-30) over the course of the past week, including a double, three home runs, and ten RBIs. But the big fella isn’t just driving in runs; he is scoring them as well, as he has nine runs scored in the past week. That means that the 10-year veteran has had his hand in 19 runs of the Rangers over the course of the past week, which is truly remarkable.

These older veterans have become such a calming presence both in the clubhouse and on the field, and it is allowing for some of the younger players like Rougned Odor and Delino DeShields to go out and have fun.

Next: Finally Healthy

Sep 15, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Derek Holland (45) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Finally Healthy

This is the healthiest that the Rangers have been and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Holland and Perez are back after missing over half of the season. Beltre seems to be turning the corner from his nagging injuries, although you wouldn’t know he was ever injured if you talked to him. Mike Napoli has the knees of an old man, but he has shown some life and provided some thump in the middle of the lineup.

But the Rangers have more reinforcements on the way, which is crazy to think about. Josh Hamilton hit in the cages and looks to make his return in late September. Robinson Chirinos hopes to be back in late September as well, which would add some depth to the catcher position. Those two might not make a huge impact down the stretch, but they both have the ability to change the outcome of the game.

The Rangers were snake bitten at the beginning of the year, with Holland, Perez, Yu Darvish, and Jurickson Profar all going down with injuries. But these Rangers are finally getting healthy, something that can only help the Rangers in their World Series quest.

Next: Final Thoughts

Sep 16, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; The Texas Rangers celebrate the home run by second baseman Rougned Odor (12) against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Final Thoughts

I’m not going on the limb and saying that the Rangers will win the World Series, because they aren’t even close to guaranteeing a playoff spot. In fact, the Rangers still have some work to do just to make it into the playoffs. But hear me loud and clear.

This Rangers team has all the ingredients to make a run at it, with their pitching staff and offense clicking on all cylinders now. Watch out Major League Baseball, these Texas Rangers aren’t going to be an easy out in the playoffs, and they are as dangerous as anybody in the MLB.

Next: The Texas Rangers Humiliate the Astros in 14-3 win

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