Predicting The Texas Rangers' 2016 Record Going Into Spring Training

After finishing the 2014 campaign with the worst record in the American League and then losing Yu Darvish for the season in spring training, there were many who thought that the Texas Rangers were in for another rough season last year. However, the Rangers ended up winning the AL West under first-year manager Jeff Banister, and things now look pretty bright heading into 2016 as well.

Darvish is still not expected to be ready for the beginning of the season, but he and Cole Hamels will form an excellent 1-2 punch once he is ready to return. While Colby Lewis had an elevated ERA of 4.66 last season, he was still a steady arm and could be an effective innings eater once again.

Although Derek Holland and Martin Perez have battled injuries in recent years, they have each shown promise in the past and appear ready to go in 2016. With Darvish beginning the season on the sidelines, one could see the Rangers using Alex “Chi Chi” Gonzalez or Nick Martinez, who both had good seasons last year, to round out the rotation.

The bullpen should also be in good shape with Shawn Tolleson, Keone Kela, Jake Diekman and Sam Dyson each returning. The Rangers also added Tom Wilhelmsen in a trade with the Seattle Mariners this offseason.

When it comes to their lineup, it has now been revealed that Josh Hamilton will begin the season on the DL, but the Rangers should still have plenty of firepower. They have a solid leadoff man in Delino DeShields Jr., and players such as Prince Fielder, Mitch Moreland, Shin-Soo Choo, Adrian Beltre and Rougned Odor should drive in quite a few runs. Texas also has a big up-and-coming power bat in Joey Gallo, too.

Of course, the AL West could be a tight race and MLB‘s other Texas team, the Houston Astros, appear primed for big things in 2016 as well. That said, the Rangers certainly have the pieces to contend, and a second straight 88-74 finish shouldn’t be out of the question.