The Texas Rangers were the top of the AL for the second consecutive year, leading the West with a 96-66 mark. The Rangers went back to the World Series after a disheartening showing in 2010, but eventually fell short for the 2nd consecutive year. They lost to the Giants in 5 games in the 2010 World Series, and were prepared to reign supreme in 2011 against St. Louis, although it was not to be. The Rangers were not able to benefit from the chance and lost the Championship again. Texas is quite capable of going back to the World Series for a 3rd consecutive year, but it is looking like it may be a dogfight for the division this year as the LA Angels signed key players C.J. Wilson and Albert Pujols. Here is the projected starting pitchers and closer situation for this season. If you want more details on the team check our Texas Rangers predictions.
Projected Rotation
Colby Lewis (RHP) - Now that Wilson is a member of LA, Lewis will be the Opening Day pitcher for Texas this year. He won a career-high 14 games last year, but his ERA leaped from 3.72 in 2010 to 4.40 last year. His ERA should fall back to under 4.00 this year and it is likely that he could set another career high in victories with the offense he has backing him in Arlington.
Derek Holland (RHP) -In his 1st full year as a pitcher for Texas, Holland truly impressed by his showing, and if he continues his solid work at the beginning of 2012, he might become the top of the rotation as soon as this year. He went 16-5 with a 3.95 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 2011, and his strong finish at the end of the year carried over to the postseason. A consistent performance for him in 2012 is all he should be a vital part of the Rangers' plans.
Yu Darvish (RHP) - After losing Wilson to LA, the Rangers somewhat eased the loss with the signing of Darvish, who has been a sensation in Japan for the past five years. Although typically Japanese players take a bit before adjusting to the major leagues, it seems like Darvish is ready to shine in his first year.
Matt Harrison (LHP) - Harrison actually came on powerful last year for Texas, regardless of just having 32 starts in the prior 3 years. The 26-year-old went 14-9 with a 3.39 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 30 games.
Neftali Feliz (RHP) - The last few years, Feliz was employed as the Rangers closer, and he probably did the role quite well. He saved 72 games with just nine blown saves, while posting an ERA of about 2.70. It's going to be complicated for him to transition from reliever to starter, but he was brought to the Rangers to finally become a starter.
Projected Closer
Joe Nathan (RHP) - Texas went out and added Nathan to take over the ninth inning role, which is a gigantic reason why Feliz is being moved to the rotation. Nathan is one the elite closers in the game when healthy, but injuries plagued his 2011 year. He finished with just 14 saves, which was miles away from the 41-save average he assembled over his previous six years.
Projected Rotation
Colby Lewis (RHP) - Now that Wilson is a member of LA, Lewis will be the Opening Day pitcher for Texas this year. He won a career-high 14 games last year, but his ERA leaped from 3.72 in 2010 to 4.40 last year. His ERA should fall back to under 4.00 this year and it is likely that he could set another career high in victories with the offense he has backing him in Arlington.
Derek Holland (RHP) -In his 1st full year as a pitcher for Texas, Holland truly impressed by his showing, and if he continues his solid work at the beginning of 2012, he might become the top of the rotation as soon as this year. He went 16-5 with a 3.95 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 2011, and his strong finish at the end of the year carried over to the postseason. A consistent performance for him in 2012 is all he should be a vital part of the Rangers' plans.
Yu Darvish (RHP) - After losing Wilson to LA, the Rangers somewhat eased the loss with the signing of Darvish, who has been a sensation in Japan for the past five years. Although typically Japanese players take a bit before adjusting to the major leagues, it seems like Darvish is ready to shine in his first year.
Matt Harrison (LHP) - Harrison actually came on powerful last year for Texas, regardless of just having 32 starts in the prior 3 years. The 26-year-old went 14-9 with a 3.39 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 30 games.
Neftali Feliz (RHP) - The last few years, Feliz was employed as the Rangers closer, and he probably did the role quite well. He saved 72 games with just nine blown saves, while posting an ERA of about 2.70. It's going to be complicated for him to transition from reliever to starter, but he was brought to the Rangers to finally become a starter.
Projected Closer
Joe Nathan (RHP) - Texas went out and added Nathan to take over the ninth inning role, which is a gigantic reason why Feliz is being moved to the rotation. Nathan is one the elite closers in the game when healthy, but injuries plagued his 2011 year. He finished with just 14 saves, which was miles away from the 41-save average he assembled over his previous six years.
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