The Texas Rangers are having some trouble closing out games lately, as was evident last night in 
the Rangers 8-2 loss to the Tigers. The Texas Rangers are going through what can only be described as a “rough patch” right now as a team, but it doesn’t seem to be effecting everybody.
Adrian Beltre notched his 2,500 hit last night in his first at bat. It is a pretty monumental at bat for him, and at the time he got it, the game was only 1-0. Of course he also got the only RBI of the game and wound up going 4-4. But that is typical Adrian Beltre. He is the kind of player that does not change the way he plays no matter what is happening around him, he just always seems to come through.
Nick Martinez actually out dueled Jared Weaver on Saturday night in Anaheim, but the Texas Rangers still took the loss. We all have to remember when you are dealing with young players and especially young pitchers, they are going to have flashes of brilliance, and they are going to have flashes where they look confused and lost on the mound or at the plate. Saturday night, Nick Martinez looked great on the mound, but once again the Texas Rangers couldn’t muster any runs against an opponent.
Michael Choice is feast or famine right now. He is either jacking home runs, or he is having an 0 for. He did get a hit in last nights game that was not a home run, his first in a little while. He is coming along nicely, and I think he is going to be a great major league player in the near future.
Shin-Soo Choo is going through a lump, but we all know that his track record tells us that he will snap out of it and wind up having a really nice season. I have faith that Choo is going to be just fine. He is getting to DH more often and I think that may be throwing his timing at the plate off just a little bit, but he will figure it out.
Rougned Odor and Luis Sardinas are getting some really great major league experience, and I could see Sardinas being traded for some younger pitching prospects since the Texas Rangers have a bit of a log jam in the middle. After this season is over, both he and Odor will have most of a season under their belts. I am not sure what is going to happen to Jurickson Profar, to be honest with you, as goo as Odor has looked.
Should be a very interesting off season for the Texas Rangers when it comes to middle infielders. Even though they are currently on a 6 game losing streak, they are giving maximum effort, and that is all I would ask of a young team. Let the vets contiune to teach the youngsters, and the winning will follow. Just think back to 2005 – 2009, and remember what this team was like. I don’t think it is going to be very long before the young and the winless return to the days of the young contenders.
