SB Nation Dallas - Rangers Vs. Angels: Offense Explodes In 15-9 Winhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48887/dallas-fave.png2012-08-03T12:07:05-05:00http://dallas.sbnation.com/rss/stream/29686072012-08-03T12:07:05-05:002012-08-03T12:07:05-05:00Four Crazy Summer Days
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/IFS9JlmcWNYEci37Cw-GssfOLOI=/0x45:4000x2712/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/8174351/20120801_kdl_ac5_243.jpg" />
<figcaption>Presswire</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The game of the year in Major League Baseball is the difference between being okay with the fortunes of the Rangers and abject panic as we enter August.</p> <p>A whirlwind of moves, games, and emotions like we saw over the past four days may be unrivaled in the history of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a>.</p>
<p>Now we can begin looking at the aftermath of an epic four game set against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Los Angeles Angels</a> of Anaheim that surrounded a busy trade deadline. Just two days ago, it seemed like we would be sitting here today with feelings of despair and desperation as the AL West lead was slipping away, and the Main Stream Media was getting the pennant race it demanded. The Rangers began the fifth inning of game five down six runs, staring a two game lead and a start against their former ace in the face.</p>
<p>Then came the game of the season.</p>
<p>The lead was headed towards two games thanks to a miserable start to the series. Game one started out alright, as a neck-and-neck contest until the sixth inning, when <span>Roy Oswalt</span> and <span>Robbie Ross</span> melted down. Each allowed a home run to <span>Kendrys Morales</span> -- the second a grand slam -- for a nine run inning, ruining any shot the Rangers may have had at starting Friday with a nine game lead. It would be easy to read more out of the game than was really deserved; to see it as an emphatic statement from the Angels that the second half belonged to them.</p>
<p>It was a loss that prompted the start of flurry of off-field activity that surrounded the series. Oswalt seemed an iffy signing from the start, has been an absolute disaster since, and despite having a friend in the owner's box, Monday was the last straw. Oswalt managed to avoid walks and get strikeouts all along, but found the center square too much for punishment, and the game one start was more of the same: four strikeouts against no walks, but 11 hits and three home runs. By game four of the series, he was in the bullpen, the Rangers admitting their investment was not working out.</p>
<p>Though it was in a loss, game one did highlight the theme of the series: the offense finally breaking out, and the pitching failing miserably. In game two, unfortunately, the offense did no such thing, but <span>Derek Holland</span> gave up three home runs of his own to go with four walks in a game that was tight most of the way but ended a four run contest.</p>
<p>So <span>Michael Young</span> strode to the plate with his team down 7-1 in the fifth inning. <span>Yu Darvish</span> had joined Holland and Oswalt in falling to pieces against the LA lineup, walking a miserable six Angels to help set up seven earned runs. There will be some who will look at the ERA this season and end up disappointed in Darvish, which is frankly a bit silly, but in the biggest game of the season yet, he was absolutely impossible to watch. He left the game with his team holding just a 6% shot of keeping hopes of a split alive.</p>
<p>From that 6% forward, the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/boxscore.aspx?date=2012-08-01&team=Rangers&dh=0&season=2012">Win Probability chart looks ridiculously cool</a>. Young managed to send a ground ball to the outfield, and then <span>David Murphy</span> did the same. <span>Mike Napoli</span> showed up with a double, <span>Mitch Moreland</span> brought home Murphy, <span>Ian Kinsler</span> doubled, <span>Elvis Andrus</span> singled, and suddenly at 7-5 the Rangers had an honest-to-god game going.</p>
<p>Texas picked up another run in the eighth on another Murphy single, and Napoli kept the game at one run with a brilliant block of Morales at home in the ninth. So with two outs remaining in the game, the hero was Kinsler, popping up all the way over the left field wall to tie the game. Improbably and incredibly, Texas was in the driver's seat, as though the changing of dates on the calendar was not merely an arbitrary end point. The miserable month of July was over, and the Rangers seemed to be saying that August would be different.</p>
<p>The Angels seemed to say otherwise. <span>Joe Nathan</span> not only couldn't protect the tie in the 10th, he allowed home runs to <span>Chris Iannetta</span> and <span>Albert Pujols</span> to put Texas down three. A brilliant and thrilling comeback was still going to result in a mult-run loss, and Ranger nation would have its right to panic.</p>
<p>Instead, Nelson Cruz hit his second home run of the game. Young reached first on a botched ball, Murphy walked, and Napoli loaded the bases with a single -- the single being the moment Texas's Win Probability ticked up over 50%. Mitch Moreland advanced everyone a base to make it a one-run game, and Andrus slapped a ball in to left field to end it.</p>
<p>The game of the year went to Texas, who found themselves down below an 85% chance of winning at three separate points and still won anyway, salvaging a shot at the series being okay.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, a flurry of off-field moves changes the shape of the team. AA pitchers were spared by the calling up of <span>Mike Olt</span>, who debuted in game four, singling in his first plate appearance, and being robbed on a line drive in his second. <span>Geovany Soto</span> was brought over from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> to help improve a desperate catching situation, and had two hits with a double in his Texas debut. Then with Oswalt a failure and two members of the opening day rotation on the DL, Texas went with slight desperation to bring over <span>Ryan Dempster</span>, and the results were about the same as the rest of the rotation in the series.</p>
<p>Dempster was probably a tad better than his line suggested he allowed eight earned runs, but his two home runs surrendered were fairly jet-stream induced. The stuff was fantastic, missing 18 bats, and striking out six against three walks, and while you can't read much out of one game, you can read more from those three statements than you can from looking at the earned runs. Dempster was not particularly good, but he showed flashes of brilliance, and deserves at least a few more starts before we hate him and everything he stands for.</p>
<p>The offense, fortunately, bailed him out. It felt like decades since the Rangers pounded an opponent, and finally doing so against <span>C.J. Wilson</span> was supremely cathartic. Texas scored 15 runs against the Angels in game four, and would have had 18 if not for a Hamilton blast dying at the wall.</p>
<p>So, suddenly, everything looks okay again, when late Thursday night it seemed like we were headed in to tragedy territory. A split is still somewhat disappointing when it comes at home, especially when Texas keeps a losing record against the Angels on the season. But, given how close things seemed to being significantly worse, a split feels thrilling here on Friday. Texas survives the series with the best record in baseball, a five game lead on the Angels -- and 4.5 on the division since, you know, the Angels are in third place -- and their playoff odds placed at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/odds/">just over 80%</a>. All of these are down from the heights we once saw, but they are still something you would have taken if I'd given them to you at the start of the year.</p>
<p>Mike Olt, Ryan Dempster, and Geovany Soto aren't going to be huge changes on the fortunes of the Rangers, but the latter two are likely improvements, and the first is at the very least exciting to see in the Majors. Everything is okay, there is no need for panic, and the offense is still capable of exploding.</p>
<p>The Magic Number stands at 54.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/8/3/3217525/texas-rangers-los-angeles-angels-of-anaheim-pennant-race-olt-dempster-darvish-soto-hamiltonRobbie Griffin2012-08-03T11:11:29-05:002012-08-03T11:11:29-05:00Ryan Dempster Awful In Texas Rangers Debut
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>In the months of June and July, <span>Ryan Dempster</span> gave up seven earned runs. Combined. On Thursday night, making his debut for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a>, Dempster surrendered eight earned runs on nine hits and three walks, in four and ⅔ innings of work. </p>↵<p>Certainly, it wasn't the debut either the Rangers or Dempster were looking for, but at least Texas' offense was able to explode in a major way, lifting Dempster off the hook and giving the Rangers a much needed series split against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a>.</p>↵<p>Still, the start illustrated that Dempster <i>is</i> going to have a bit of a tough time in the American League. Though Wrigley Field isn't exactly a pitcher's best friend, Dempster witnessed first hand how what looks a routine fly out can wind up being a home run in Arlington -- take a look at <span>Mark Trumbo's</span> first inning home run. </p>↵<p>To blame the ballpark only would be silly. Dempster needs to pitch better, plain and simple. And he will. He just won't pitch as well as he did in Chicago. As I said at the time of the acquisition, Dempster is replacing <span>Colby Lewis</span>. The two had eerily similar numbers, with Dempster's obviously coming in the easier environment. Hopefully Dempster is able to adjust and adequately fill Lewis' shoes, otherwise the Rangers will be scrambling a bit come LDS time.</p>↵
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/8/3/3217754/ryan-dempster-awful-in-texas-rangers-debutJP Starkey2012-08-02T18:37:46-05:002012-08-02T18:37:46-05:00Rangers Vs. Angels: Mike Olt To Make His Major League Debut On Thursday
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> drafted <span>Mike Olt</span> in the first round of the MLB Amateur Draft out of the University of Connecticut in 2010. Two years later he's set to make is Major League Baseball debut against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Los Angeles Angels</a> on Thursday night at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.</p>
<p>Olt was called up from Double-A Frisco after hitting .288 with 28 home runs and 82 RBI's in 95 games. </p>
<p> According to <a href="https://twitter.com/aandro" target="_blank">Anthony Andro</a> of Fox Sports Southwest, skipper Ron Washington already knows how he'll play Olt to get the most out of him:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Rangers manager Ron Washington said plan is for Olt to start vs. LHP, mainly at 1B and DH.</p>
— Anthony Andro (@aandro) <a data-datetime="2012-08-02T21:24:50+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/aandro/status/231138514320887808">August 2, 2012</a>
</blockquote>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Read more on the Rangers at<a href="http://lonestarball.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;"> Lone Star Ball</a> and <a href="http://dallas.sbnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;">SB Nation Dallas</a>. Head over to<a href="http://halosheaven.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;"> Halo's Heaven</a> and<a href="http://losangeles.sbnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;"> SB Nation Los Angeles</a> for more on the Angels. <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;">Baseball Nation</a> is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball. Also, be sure to subscribe to<a href="http://youtube.com/sbnation" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;">our Youtube Channel </a>for video commentary.</i></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/8/2/3216368/rangers-vs-angels-mike-olt-to-make-his-major-league-debut-on-thursdayBryan Crawford2012-08-02T08:00:56-05:002012-08-02T08:00:56-05:00The American League Playoff Picture
<figure>
<img alt="ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 06: The Texas Rangers take on the Detroit Tigers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on June 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zEhoV0fXGkzQEK8NrOdQl7mXfnE=/14x0:985x647/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/2961539/GYI0065047182.jpg" />
<figcaption>ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 06: The Texas Rangers take on the Detroit Tigers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on June 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>For the first time in Major League Baseball history, five teams from each league will be going to the playoffs. Here's an early look at the playoff picture, post-trade deadline.</p> <p><a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Rangers</a> fans can breathe a little easier after Wednesday night's thrilling win over the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Angels</a>. That win ensures that the Angels will be at least three games out after the series concludes on Thursday.</p>
<p>With a four game lead in the American League West, the Rangers have some room for error -- but make no mistake, they're not a lock to win the division. Four games at this point in the season isn't much. In case baseball fans have short term memory, let's just think back to 2011 when the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Cardinals</a> were 10 games out in late August. I don't think I need to remind folks what happened next.</p>
<p>If there exists a team that is basically guaranteed a division title at this point, it's the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Yankees</a>, who appear to be coasting to another American League East crown. Up seven games in the loss column, the Yankees have a run differential 64 better than the second place <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Rays</a>. New York didn't make a major deadline move, apologies to <span>Ichiro Suzuki</span>, but there weren't many moves for them to make.</p>
<p>As of today, you'd have to consider the Yankees the favorite to capture the pennant. But hey, October is crazy, so you never really know what can happen. They're clearly the most complete team, though, with a solid bullpen, a scary lineup and a legitimate ace in C.C. Sabathia.</p>
<p>Over in the American League Central, the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">White Sox</a> and <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tigers</a> figure to be in a fight to the finish. Both teams attempted to fortify their rosters at the deadline, with the White Sox adding <span>Francisco Liriano</span>, while the Tigers added <span>Omar Infante</span> and <span>Anibal Sanchez</span>.</p>
<p>On paper, the Tigers were supposed to run away with the division. However, Detroit sits just five games over .500, and only have a +9 run differential. <span>Miguel Cabrera</span> can hit, but he's not exactly a third baseman. To say the Tigers have a brutal defensive corner infield would be an understatement the size of both Cabrera and Fielder.</p>
<p>At the end of the year, I'd expect the Tigers to manage to overtake the White Sox, despite Chicago owning a better run differential and being three games back in the loss column. Still, the White Sox are going to be a threat until the end -- and very well could win the division.</p>
<p>Then, of course, there's the American League West. The Rangers have made a few moves, acquiring <span>Geovany Soto</span> and <span>Ryan Dempster</span> from the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Cubs</a>. Texas, though, has also had a few blows over the past week too, losing <span>Colby Lewis</span> and <span>Neftali Feliz</span> for the remainder of the 2012 season.</p>
<p>The Angels, meanwhile, added the top prize on the trade market, in the form of <span>Zack Greinke</span>. To date, the only pitcher that has been better than Greinke is <span>Justin Verlander</span>, and even the difference between the two is marginal (.1 WAR). Verlander also has 30 and 2/3 more innings to his credit than Greinke.</p>
<p>Regardless, the Angels made a significant move, and the Rangers didn't. It can certainly be argued that the Rangers didn't have to, and those people could be right. We'll see. Either way, Texas is five up in the loss column headed into Thursday's game against the Angels. If the Rangers win, and go six up, the Rangers can breathe easy. An Angels win, however, puts the division well within striking distance for the Angels.</p>
<p>The wild card is a bit of a mess, as you'd expect it to be. Currently, both the Angels and A's would make the playoffs if the season ended, which is quite amazing. Detroit, Tampa Bay and Baltimore are two games back in the loss column of both Oakland and Los Angeles, while the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Red Sox</a> sit four out. None of the trailing teams, besides Detroit, really made any big deadline moves. Perhaps Tampa Bay and Boston did the right thing in that regard, as both clubs were rumored to sell. The Rays will be adding All-Star third baseman <span>Evan Longoria</span> shortly, and he should provide a huge boost.</p>
<p>Here's the bottom line with the Rangers: they're going to make the playoffs. They'll probably win the division, but it's not a guarantee, not yet. The Angels improved themselves more than any team at the deadline, and they're a dangerous team. Come the end of the year, I'm expecting the Rangers still to win the division, with the Angels and Rays grabbing the two wild card spots.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/8/2/3214504/the-american-league-playoff-pictureJP Starkey2012-08-02T07:58:06-05:002012-08-02T07:58:06-05:00Rangers Vs. Angels: Thursday Game Preview, TV Info And More
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>After a wild comeback win for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a> on Wednesday night, the <span>Ryan Dempster</span> era begins in Arlington on Thursday, as the newest member of the Texas bullpen takes the hill in the series finale against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a>. Dempster was 5-5 with a 2.25 ERA for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> this season, and has never started a game in Arlington, but struck out the side as a reliever for Chicago in 2007.</p>
<p><b>Date / Time:</b> Thursday, August 2, 7:05 p.m. CT</p>
<p><b>Location:</b> Rangers Ballpark In Arlington, Arlington, Texas</p>
<p><b>TV: </b>Fox Sports Southwest</p>
<p><b>Radio: </b>103.3 ESPN , 1540am ESPN Deportes</p>
<p><b>Probable Starters:</b> <span>C.J. Wilson</span> (9-7) vs. Ryan Dempster (0-0)</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Read more on the Rangers at<a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://lonestarball.com/"> Lone Star Ball</a> and <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://dallas.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Dallas</a>. Head over to<a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://halosheaven.com/"> Halo's Heaven</a> and<a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://losangeles.sbnation.com/"> SB Nation Los Angeles</a> for more on the Angels. <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a> is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball. Also, be sure to subscribe to<a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://youtube.com/sbnation">our Youtube Channel </a>for video commentary.</i></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/8/2/3214863/rangers-vs-angels-thursday-game-preview-tv-info-and-moreSteven Godfrey2012-08-02T07:29:26-05:002012-08-02T07:29:26-05:00Rangers Vs. Angels Final Score: Texas Wins In Dramatic 11-10 Comeback
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> came back from a 6-0 deficit in the second inning and survived a three-run tenth inning by the Anaheim <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> with a dramatic four run comeback in the bottom of the tenth, ending with <span>Elvis Andrus</span>' two-run double, to win 11-10.</p>
<p>After starter <span>Yu Darvish</span> gave up seven runs in five innings of work, the Rangers clawed back to tie the game thanks to a four run fifth inning and solo scores in the eighth and ninth. Then Texas pitcher <span>Joe Nathan</span> gave up a pair of homers, first to <span>Chris Iannetta</span> and then to <span>Albert Pujols</span>, setting up the dramatic four-run tenth.</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Read more on the Rangers at<a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://lonestarball.com/"> Lone Star Ball</a> and <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://dallas.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Dallas</a>. Head over to<a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://halosheaven.com/"> Halo's Heaven</a> and<a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://losangeles.sbnation.com/"> SB Nation Los Angeles</a> for more on the Angels. <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a> is your source for news and analysis around Major League Baseball. Also, be sure to subscribe to<a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #c82527; font-weight: bold;" href="http://youtube.com/sbnation">our Youtube Channel </a>for video commentary.</i></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/8/2/3214820/rangers-vs-angels-final-score-texas-wins-in-dramatic-11-10-comebackSteven Godfrey2012-08-02T00:12:42-05:002012-08-02T00:12:42-05:00Finally: Welcome To Arlington Mike Olt
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a> just won on an extra-innings walk-off, completing two separate comebacks.</p>↵<p>Which may only have been the second most exciting part of the evening, because right after that:</p>↵<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">↵<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Rangers"><s>#</s><b>Rangers</b></a> purchase contract of <span>Mike Olt</span>.</p>↵— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilson_FWST) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffWilson_FWST/status/230882425994088448" data-datetime="2012-08-02T04:27:14+00:00">August 2, 2012</a>
</blockquote>↵<p>↵<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>↵</p>↵<p>Prospect debuts are always fun, but super prospect debuts are appointment television.</p>↵<p>Olt was not a particularly popular draft pick among many Rangers fans in 2010, but since then he has destroyed Minor League pitching at every level. His <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/library/index.php/offense/wrc/">wRC+</a> in 69 games in 2010 Spokane was a robust 151, which is exactly what it was in just as many games with Myrtle Beach the next year. This is both awesome and weird. For wRC+, 100 is average, and it's even park adjusted.</p>↵<p>2012 has been the best yet, with a 14.7% walk rate in Frisco to go with 27 home runs and a .287/.399/.575. That's good for a 168 wRC+. If you'd like some context on that number, think of it like this: that is the best rate in the Texas League. All of it. As in, no one in the league has been better offensively than the man who the Rangers called up a little while ago. If there's a downside, it's that he's not exactly young at 23 years old.</p>↵<p>All from a guy with reports of plus defense at third base.</p>↵<p>What will be interesting is seeing where Olt's playing time will come from. It makes no sense to call up talent like that just to sit on the bench, and the Rangers know that. There's no reason to sit <span>Adrian Beltre</span>, but Olt has played 12 games at first base this year, and could obviously DH. So maybe, just maybe, the Rangers are finally willing to give less playing time to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1286&position=SS">one of the worst hitters in baseball</a>.</p>↵<p><span>Brandon Snyder</span> will be sent down to complete the move.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/8/2/3214540/finally-welcome-to-arlington-mike-oltRobbie Griffin2012-08-01T16:54:18-05:002012-08-01T16:54:18-05:00Rangers Vs. Angels Wednesday Lineups
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><span>Yu Darvish</span> looks to get the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Rangers</a> back on track on Wednesday night, as Texas plays host to the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Angels</a> for the third game of a four-game series.</p>
<p>Both managers have announced the starting lineups for Wednesday's game, and they are as follows:</p>
<h4>Los Angeles Angels</h4>
<p>CF <span>Mike Trout</span><br>RF <span>Torii Hunter</span><br>1B <span>Albert Pujols</span><br>LF <span>Mark Trumbo</span><br>DH Kendrys Morales<br>3B <span>Alberto Callaspo</span><br>2B <span>Maicer Izturis</span><br> C <span>Chris Iannetta</span><br>SS <span>Andrew Romine</span></p>
<p>SP <span>Garrett Richards</span></p>
<h4>Texas Rangers</h4>
<p>2B <span>Ian Kinsler</span><br>SS <span>Elvis Andrus</span><br>CF <span>Josh Hamilton</span><br>DH <span>Adrian Beltre</span><br>RF Nelson Cruz<br>3B <span>Michael Young</span><br>LF <span>David Murphy</span><br> C <span>Mike Napoli</span><br>1B <span>Mitch Moreland</span></p>
<p>SP Yu Darvish</p>
<p>You'll notice that Hamilton has returned to the third spot in the lineup, as he's shown life after being benched by Ron Washington. Young, however, remains in the six hole.</p>
<p><span>Dan Haren</span> was supposed to start for the Angels, but was scratched because of back tightness, and Garrett Richards will make the spot start in his place.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Rangers, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lonestarball.com">check out Lone Star Ball.</a></i></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2012/8/1/3213715/rangers-vs-angels-wednesday-lineupsJP Starkey