Does anyone else believe that these next few games against the killer Blue Jays, the Tigers (killer in Detroit), and against the Indians are critical to the Rangers season and to what the rest of the season may look like for them? No they aren't necessarily "strong" record wise, but should we worry if they lay an egg against these three teams, or be confident if they come out of it with a winning record?

Definitely going to be a tough road trip. Hopefully we'll have a shiny new toy in the bullpen to play with.

After last night's legitimate effort against a team that the Rangers should beat, I am definitely one of those who believe this road trip will define the season.
For starters, let's take the first three games of the trip in Toronto, where the Rangers have never --NEVER -- played well. They've never played well against the Blue Jays, period. Secondly, two of those games are during the day. By now we all know how spooked Josh Hamilton is by day games, so he will be a non-factor.
After Toronto, the Rangers go to Detroit where they've already lost two of three games. During these next six games, Texas had better get at least four wins to maintain a semblance of a lead against the hard-charging Angels.
As we've seen to this point, Texas has a tendency to play down to its competition. Had the Rangers taken care of business against the also-rans on their schedule, they would have a cushion and things wouldn't be approaching critical mass.
Meanwhile, the Angels have three more against Detroit before returning home for three against the Twins and the Mariners.
As I've posted before, Mike Scioscia will find a way for his Angels to overtake the Rangers -- if -- the Rangers don't take care of business.
That business starts tonight in Toronto against a pitcher, Brett Cecil (3-4, 4.71 ERA) who embarrassed them last week in Texas.
Can the Rangers somehow summon the backbone to at least compete against the Blue Jays?
Play as they have been playing and the Angels will be in first place by the time Texas gets to Detroit.
That's why I believe this road trip is the most important six-game portion of the 2011 season.