Categories
MLB

Texas Rangers Season Predictions | 2013 Season Betting Preview

2013 MLB Team Preview: Texas Rangers

For the second year in a row the Rangers lineup was poached by their division foe Anaheim Angels. Last year it was CJ Wilson and this year it was Josh Hamilton.

Odds to Win AL West from Bovada: +225
Odds to Win World Series: 15/1

The Rangers have made a habit of being competitive no matter the situation but without arguably their best pitcher and their biggest run producer, the cards are stacked against them a little more this year to outlast the Angels.

Probable lineup

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Elvis Andrus, SS
3. Lance Berkman, DH
4. Adrian Beltre, 3B
5. Nelson Cruz, RF
6. David Murphy, LF
7. A.J. Pierzynski, C
8. Mitch Moreland, 1B
9. Leonys Martin, CF

The batting order took a hit with the loss of Josh Hamilton. David Murphy and Nelson Cruz still exist in the order to provide predictable pop from the outfield position although Cruz certainly dropped off last year after a very good 2011. Leonys Martin is inserted in the lineup and will play center field – quite a downgrade from Mr. Hamilton. The top of the order looks fine – Texas will still have capable #1 and #2 hitters. A question mark follows the top 2 – Lance Berkman was a risk/reward signing – 37 years old and coming off an injury plagued season. But he is just two years removed from a .301/.412/.547 season and will be playing a more favorable DH role this year. The Rangers as a whole should still hit with regularity but don’t expect the production of a couple of years ago.

Probable rotation

1. Yu Darvish
2. Matt Harrison
3. Derek Holland
4. Alexi Ogando
5. Martin Perez
Colby Lewis (INJ), Neftali Feliz (INJ)

This may be the strength of the Texas Rangers. They were a top tier rotation last year and will trot out largely the same group this season. Yu Darvish has a year under his belt and could reasonably emerge as one of the league’s best this year while the supporting cast was more-than-adequate last season and should carry on this year. Don’t worry about the pitching – Texas is surprisingly stacked at that position in 2013.

Bullpen

Closer: Joe Nathan
Setup: Jason Frasor, Robbie Ross, Joakim Soria (INJ)

The hope is that the starters do enough to make the bullpen largely irrelevant. But when called on the pen should be just fine. Joe Nathan brings a ton of experience and newly acquired set-up man Jason Frasor is a good upgrade in the pen. Texas has a share of question marks – the pen just happens to be another in the long line however. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

Notable bench players

C Geovany Soto, OF Craig Gentry, IF/OF Leury Garcia, IF/OF Jeff Baker

As always, the Rangers have a good bench – great hitters to come in during crucial situations. They did lose some depth – Mike Napoli for instance but the Rangers are still relatively deep at most positions (except the outfield).

Betting Prediction:

It will be difficult for the Rangers to overcome the loss of Josh Hamilton this year and unfortunately for them – their heated, hated rival Angels continue to stack their lineup. There are question marks galore for this team – will they be able to match the offensive output of teams past? Will Yu Darvish take the next step? Are there enough arms in the bullpen to preserve what a good starting lineup will provide? Will Ardian Beltre continue to stay healthy? Will Lance Berkman find the form of two years ago?

Bottom Line: On paper the Rangers are clearly the second best team in the AL West and that’s where they will finish. It’s not that they are a bad club; it is that the Angels are absolutely stacked in every aspect of the game.

Second place in the West is likely and a battle for the second AL Wild card position is almost a guarantee. They sneak into the playoffs and have a very short run in October!

View The MLB Cappers Leaderboard For 2012 – Picks Packages for 2013 On Sale! —–>

By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.