Are the Rangers the Favorite to Win the American League After the First Weekend of Baseball?

Before the beginning of the 2011 major league baseball season, it seemed like most of the so-called baseball "experts" were picking the Boston Red Sox to win the American league pennant. Nothing is ever settled in the first series of the season, but it looked like the Texas Rangers took exception to that. In fact a good majority of publications have the Red Sox beating the Oakland A's in the 2011 World Series- not the Rangers. Yet the Texas Rangers dispensed of the Boston Red Sox in the opening weekend outscoring them by a combined total of 26-11, while sweeping all three games. The Rangers had a team batting average of .333, with 34 hits and 11 home runs.What's more impressive is the Rangers did this with 3rd baseman Adrian Beltre batting .154 over the weekend, and defending American league MVP Josh Hamilton, hitting for one extra base hit. The Texas Rangers' batters are a murderer's row. Ian Kinsler and Nelson Cruz became the first team mates to ever hit a home run the first three games of the season. David Murphy was up to his old tricks from the 2010 season with only 5 at bats he had 2 runs, 3 RBIs and a home run. There are 10 batters on the Rangers that can hit the ball very well. In fact there is no other team in baseball that can hit the ball as well as Texas. Championships are not won in magazines before the season begins,  or the opening series of the season. The Rangers served notice that they intend to defend their first American League championship by sweeping that first series. Getting back to the World Series for the Rangers will depend on much more than the just hitting the ball. The Rangers still have questions at the pitching position. C J Wilson and Colby Lewis are the tested veterans in the starting rotation the 3-5 starters are all question marks. The number three starter, Matt Harrison got off to a nice start with a 5-1 win going 7 innings with 5 hits and 1 earned run. If he can pitch anywhere close to that the rest of the season he will be fine but last season he had some consistency issues. Harrison pitched his way to the number 3 spot in spring training going 2-0 with a 3.91 ERA. He held the opposition to .224 batting average during spring training. Some off season changes in Harrison's delivery seem to be paying dividends. The 4 and 5 starters Derrick Holland and Alexi Ogando have even more questions to answer. Both are bright young prospects. Ogando will be making his debut as a starter Tuesday against Seattle. He had a very promising year as a reliever in 2010. Holland will have to be more consistent than he was in 2010. The Rangers Neftali Feliz is one of the best young closers in baseball. He was the 2010 rookie of the year, and at 22 years old he might be the best pitcher on the staff. It's the relief pitching that really muddies the water. How the Ranger's relief pitching develops will go a long way in determining if the Rangers make it back to the World Series. Outside of a mid season trade for a top starter from a team that has thrown in the towel and wants to cut payroll, like last season's acquisition of Cliff Lee. The best chance for the 2011 Texas Rangers to get to the World Series and more is the development of the relief pitching staff and the 4th and 5th pitcher in the starting rotation.  The batters are going to have to hit. The Boston pitching staff is one of the best in the American league and the Ranger bats torched them for the second most home runs in an opening 3 game series in major league baseball history. If the young Ranger arms can pull their weight there will be more banners raised in Arlington this year and in the years to come.


Statistics: www.cbssports.com