With all the injuries we've had, this last month was when the Angels or the A's had a chance to pull away, instead we're all pretty much in a dead heat.

The difference from here on out is, the Angels and the A's are pretty much already running on all the cylinders they'll have this season, while we've got our entire outfield, two of them all star caliber hitters, one of them the reigning AL MVP, on the way back.

There are no guarantees in the world, but pessimism shouldn't be the general tone in Rangerland.

Very well said. I think the trade deadline will be the ultimate determining factor. I dont see Oakland making any moves, i think they made all their moves in the off season... the only thing i could see is them "possibly" taking a gamble on bradley. and if bailey doesnt get healthy maybe going after bell or paps. And i keep hearing that the Angels will be players at the deadline, however I think the Wells contract kinda handcuffed them.

So i think if the rangers are able to make even a somewhat minor trade for a pitcher if Webb/Hunter/Feldman cant come back healthy and fill a rotation spot i think we'll be pretty set. We might need another bat, but i'm only saying that with how things have been lately. we'll technically be getting 2 bats back (depending on how they perform) and possibly a 3rd if Martin tears it up in AAA. As well as he's done I still think the major difference is putting Ogando back in the 8th the help shore up the BP. but we'll see. who knows... maybe Feldman can be a decent 8th inning guy... dunno.

Either way it does seem like the A's and Angels have been playing pedal to the metal as you stated, and we're running out there with half a AAA team each game.

The Rangers will win the 2011 AL West title. A half-empty Rangers team has managed to stay neck and neck with the nearly full-strength Angels and A's. I honestly expect the race to be much like 2010 towards the end, with Rangers having a big lead on the rest of the division. The ONLY trade I could envision the Rangers going all-in for is an ace (if there will even be any available). Other than that, I think the team is a legit world series contender as constructed. We just have to get healthy and stay healthy. With Alexi Ogando baffling hitters the way he is, Colby Lewis stepping-up as of late, and C.J. just being C.J. the Rangers' starting rotation good enough to make a run and we all know how lethal our lineup is with everybody healthy.

DCAggie06 ...

-Would project the SP readiness queue to be Feldman ... Hunter ............. Webb. TEX has said Webb has "no timetable for return from the (60day)DL". I think Neil Ramirez certainly and perhaps others including Michael Kirkman have a better shot at starting for TEX in 2011 than Webb does. So not sure why you are even thinking about him until very late in the season.

-Might want to wait until Martin is promoted to AAA before you project how well he's going to do there.

-TEX plans at this point do not include putting Ogando into a setup role. More than likely that is DO and Lowe.

-I don't see any reason (or chance) that TEX would use Feldman in an 8th inning role. More likely he takes the full time available to him for his rehab at AAA and is moved to medium/long relief if the current rotation remains effective.

The West, we knew, would be a dog fight. Pitching will be the deciding factor in the long run.
I'm more curious how the schizophrenic AL East is going to turn out. Talk about one big dice roll.
They're all but one big consistent win roll, from taking the lead. All staffs are struggling to be average.

@WmW

oh i wasnt putting them in any discernable order just listing the other options. I still wont count out Martin being a late call up regardless.

I'm almost certain Feldman will be a long candidate roll, i'm just saying why not attempt him in the 8th if at all possible. As of right now all who have attempted to be our steady 8th inning guy is unreliable or flamed out completely. (strop). but no, i dont think Feldman will be our 8th inning guy it was just an idea of something that should be tried out, even if just once or twice.

i believe (again just my opinion for some reason my opinion is taken out of context around here... ) i think not putting Ogando in the setup role would be a mistake right now. i know many will argue though. I love ogando as a starter I just fear his durability as such. however that aside, the thing that fears me the most is having an unreliable 8th inning person. DO is not the answer bc he cannot pitch back to back days. he struggles the 2nd day. and unless lowe improves drastically he cant be trusted. However if they were to trade for somebody that could be reliable in the 8th, i would be willing to sacrifice my durabilty worries to keep ogando in the lineup. I just think its important to have a steady 8,9 combo in closing out baseball games.

Personally, watching the teams the Rangers look like they have the best team of the three, that's why I believe they win the West. With that said, I believe the Rangers need to find a 8th inning guy not named Ogando he's pitching like an Ace(yes, I do believe he comes back to earth at some point) but to move a guy that's pitching like he is, to a role where he'll pitch 1/3rd of the innings is a horrible move. Also, we need a 8th inning guy for the play-offs because, with Feliz healthy the bullpen is ok and diffently good enough to win the West. Just my two cents.

satallery ... Agree.... and when you shorten up the rotation for the playoffs and you get down to 3 SPs ... given this staff those three guys today are Wilson, Lewis, and Ogando. So might as well dig up that 8th inning guy now because you sure aren't going to move Ogando out of the rotation when that time comes.

Could possibly make a move for either Heath Bell or Jonathan Papelbon if they become available. The cost in prospects would be high but it'd definitely give the Rangers a deadly 8 and 9th inning combo. And it's still a little too early to determine who will be available and who will not at the deadline.

I think you could get paps without many prospects if we're willing to give up napoli or YT. (i dont t hink they'll take TT) theyre hurtiing for a catcher bad. Salty hasnt been working out, and Varitek has gotten old.

bell would cost a lot, but the good thing with either, if we name them the closer next year it ensures Feliz starts.

Even though he deserves the spot, I don't see how they put Ogando into a situation where he throws 200 + innings in his first year as a starter. He's a huge candidate for "dead arm" come August/September if we keep rolling him out there every 5 days. I'm guessing, he becomes the 8th and occassionally 7th/8th guy in July/August, then bump him back to the rotation just before the playoffs or if we badly need him earlier.

Is Torreabla's feet staked to the ground? I'm not seeing much,
if any movement or blocking with his body left or right. I saw the
same in ST, but just figured it was too early to comment. Now it's
glove left, right and stab at anything off center or away in the dirt.
I'm not seeing a number one catcher here.The fact he's hitting .210
leads me almost to scream for Teagarden. That Eppley non-block
was critical in ChiSox 2nd game. No body roll at all... or am I wrong?

@HubZ ... speculate that he's flat tired. Too many innings. Shows up in his ABs and in poor technique behind the plate.

I'm not happy from what I've seen outta Torreabla by any means but he's gonna get a good shot to figure it out, because we gave him money in the off-season to be our catcher and no one is going to admit to a mistake by pulling him until they have to. Personally I'm a TT fan and if he can start hitting at all I would love to see him as are starting backstop but he needs to keep it up in AAA for the front office to give him a real shot again. As I said before him hitting in AAA is different than Davis because TT's hit .200 or below at every level not .350. Do I think he will... I'm not that much off a homer lol but hey stranger things have happened.

@Watch~
You maybe right. T'alba is on pace for about 130... it still was similar, earlier in the year
in ST also. No bodyroll. I'm a staunch strong up middle defensive guy. Our catching is less
than average. Kins is in a fog and Elvis drops his guard. Centerfield is average or below.
On paper it all looked good... the DP's are leading MLB, but overall, it's hurting- not functioning.
I'd like to see Blanco, before the Philly Series. I'm angered at the choices at catcher. AT least
we're not the ChiSox, Twins or Yankees... for the moment. We're hanging in hard, but ugly.

I was hoping we'd get treanor back, but he's been playing pretty decent KC's not just gonna give him back to us. Sucks! Again, i'm sure i'm in the minority, but i really liked Max Ramirez. Unfortunately he was like the opposite of TT. if only their powers could combine..... we'd have a catcher that could call a decent game, throw runners out, and hit for power....

unfortunately it doesnt really appear that there is, or is gonna be that much of a catcher's market out there.

How's pudge doing these days... ive head quite a few ppl willing to trade for some of the Nats relievers... maybe pudge can be a throw in, and retire a ranger. granted i havent watched a single nats game all year and have no clue what his numbers are... i dont even think he's the starting catcher anymore is he?