The Rangers, coming off of their sweep of Boston and their annual Triple Play Charity Event went to Chicago yesterday for a much-needed off day. Or so it seemed. The Rangers were at Wrigley Field last night, and that is about as far as their participation in the game goes. They were man-handled by former Rangers starter/long reliever Scott Feldman through seven innings, and then the bull pen finished the job. Meanwhile Tepesch had his first really bad outing, giving up six runs (five earned) in just four innings of work. Not at all a quality start. The offense looked worse than frigid as well.
Lets not go into full on panic mode though Rangers fans. Every team, even the best teams ever, have a game where they just aren’t there mentally. Last night was the Rangers night to be completely checked out. In a season of 162 games, there tend to be some stinkers. I can look past last nights game as long as they win the next two road series against the Brewers and the Astros. But we have to remember, this is a very hard road trip. After Milwaukee and Houston, the have to travel to Oakland before coming home (without a day off) to face a four game set against Detroit. May is not shaping up to be an easy month for the Texas Rangers, and that is why I think it is important that they win the next two series.
All in all, the Rangers are all right. They are still in first place in the West, their pitching is still in good shape overall, and so is their rotation as long as Tepesch comes out and does what he usually does in his next start. I am not concerned at all about hangover after last nights game in Chicago, since last nights game was hangover itself. Lets remember above all, there are 162 of these games, and the Rangers are not going to win them all. All we can do is tip our cap to the teams that beat them and move on. And tonight, it is time to move on.
