Texas Rangers Weekly Wrap-Up: Angels, Astros Grounded

The Texas Rangers had another hot week during their home stand, completing a six-run comeback against Oakland and sweeping the Angels?

The Texas Rangers broke out the brooms this week, sweeping the Los Angeles Angels. They were able to pick up all three games against the Halos with a combination of stellar pitching and big bats. Add in the eighth inning comeback against the Athletics on Sunday and it was a fun few days of baseball.

And not that it matters this early in the season, but the Rangers spent some time in the second Wild Card spot this week. That probably won’t hold up, I know. But there were a lot of people predicting the Rangers would lose a hundred games this year. Looks like they were wrong.

Anyway, let’s hit some topics from the week:

Hey There, Danny Santana

When Santana was called up to replace the injured Odor last week, I thought he would perform like an average major league infielder–not make too many mistakes on the field and hit around .250. I was wrong.

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Santana has instead taken Arlington by storm, putting up a .348/.348/.652 slash in six games with the Texas. Not only is he hitting, but he’s coming up with timely hits in big situations, batting .400 with runners in scoring position. He’s been crucial to some big wins in the least week.

The Rangers will have a tough decision to make with Santana once Odor returns in seven days or so.

Joey Gallo is Sick

Over the course of three games last week, Gallo went thirteen straight plate appearances without reaching base. It was concerning. Come to find out he probably wasn’t feeling to well, as he was sent home on Sunday with a 103 degree fever and an inner ear infection.

When he made it back against the Angels on Monday, he broke out of his slump in a major way, going 3-for-5 with a home run, a double and two RBI. He’s homered in four of the last five games and driven in six runs. I’d say Gallo is back on track, and if he keeps this up, he’ll be headed to his first All-Star game.

Mike Minor is Major

After giving up six runs in his Opening Day start against the Cubs, Minor has only allowed two runs in his last 23 innings pitched. His three-game bounce back culminated with a complete game shutout against the Angels on Tuesday.

Minor was slated to be the Rangers’ ace this season, but there were tempered expectations that came with that designation. Yes, Minor was the Rangers’ best pitcher, but that had more to do with the quality of the other starters than Minor’s ability.

Well, we were all wrong about that. Minor is pitching about as well as anyone in the majors right now. He’s 18th in ERA and 15th in WHIP. That’s good and bad, as the Texas Rangers are winning when he pitches, but if he keeps performing at this level he’s a sure bet to be traded by July 31st. Until then, Rangers fans should just enjoy his time on the mound.

Next week

The Rangers go on the road to face the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners. They’re catching Seattle at the right time, as the Mariners seem to be fading after starting the season hot. They’ve lost six of their last eight. As for Oakland, they signed elite slugger Khris Davis to a contract extension that will allow him to keep tormenting the Rangers for at least two more years.

Let’s hope this road trip goes better than the last one. The Rangers went 2-4 on their last trip outside the friendly confines of Globe Life Park.