5 Texas Rangers Who Deserve to Play In 2013 MLB All-Star Game
5 Texas Rangers Who Deserve to Play in the 2013 MLB All-Star Game
The Texas Rangers might not be tied for first place in the American League West if it weren't for a couple of their key players.
They aren’t all that deep on starting pitching. Outside of Yu Darvish, Rangers’ starters have combined for a 4.24 ERA. None of their other starters have a WHIP under 1.23 and they have combined for a 21-24 record. If it weren't for their ace, they might be in a much different place.
They had to replace Ian Kinsler while he was on the disabled list with a rib cage ailment, and that didn’t go too well either. Jurickson Profar and Leury Garcia have combined for a .238 batting average in his absence. Their record with and without him clearly indicates how badly they need their everyday second baseman.
Their outfielders have been less than stellar all season. They’ve combined for 195 strikeouts and haven’t provided a lot in the way of offense. They’ve combined to score just 117 runs in 234 combined games played.
Outside of two guys, their bullpen has been rather dismal. They have five relievers with a WHIP over 1.36 which simply won’t cut it. They’ve won a lot of close games this year which wouldn’t be possible without them.
They’ve been carried by a handful of players, and if it weren’t for them they could easily be looking up at the Oakland Athletics rather than being level with them. They have five guys who have done all the heavy lifting for them, and they deserve to be on the American League All-Star Team.
David Fouty is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davefouty, “Like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google+.
Tanner Scheppers - Relief Pitcher
Tanner Scheppers has been the unsung hero out of the Rangers' bullpen. His 40.2 innings logged leads all relievers on the Rangers. He's allowed just five earned runs and 23 hits in that span and has been very good at limiting damage when he does allow a base runner.
Ian Kinsler - Second Base
Kinsler has missed 27 games for the Texas Rangers this season, and his contributions to the team are obvious when you look at their record with and without him. The Rangers went 11-14 while he was on the disabled list and are 33-18 when he plays. He's batting .304 and has 19 walks to go alongside his 19 strikeouts. He's becoming a tough out every time he steps to the dish, and as Ron Washington said recently, "he's the straw that stirs the drink."
Joe Nathan - Relief Pitcher
In a season where many teams are struggling to find a consistent closer, the Rangers don't have to worry about it. Joe Nathan has blown only one save in 27 chances and has a 0.87 WHIP. He has given up just 10 walks in 33.1 innings and is tied for the league lead in that category with Jason Grilli.
Yu Darvish - Starting Pitcher
Yu Darvish has been everything the Rangers hoped he would be when he came over from Japan last season. He leads the league in strikeouts with 143, 20 better than Felix Hernandez, and trails only Matt Harvey in opponents batting average at .191.
Adrian Beltre - Third Base
Adrian Beltre is third in hits for a third baseman in the American League and fourth in home runs at the position. He's as steady as they come and never seems to hit a slump.
