Astros Break Through

Tonight Yu Darvish started for the Texas Rangers, which usually means a win for the team. But tonight, Darvish left after five with shoulder tightness, which made every Rangers fan across the nation panic collectivly. Jose Altuve finally broke through against Tom Wilhelmsen for a 2 run double, which did the Rangers in tonight. The Rangers had won 12 in a row in Arlington. They are still 8-1 against the Astros this season.
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A few take aways from tonight’s contest:
1. Prince Fielder is completely broken. I don’t think I have ever seen a superstar struggling as badly as Fielder is right now. I am not sure he or anyone has any idea how to correct it, either.  The Ian Kinsler trade is really looking bad for the Rangers so far. Prince just looks completely lost at the plate, and Bannister is going to have to stop playing him soon, because for now he is nothing but a free out for the other team. No team has any reason to fear him right now, and it means that Beltre is not seeing good pitches. He has to at least move down to 8th or 9th in the lineup. I would not like to be making those decisions, but I do rhink it is time to take his slump seriously.

2. Nomar Mazara is the real deal. I can’t remember a prospect coming up and having a bigger impact than Mazara. The kid can do it all. At the plate and in the field, he is playing like a long time veteran. He has been nothing but a joy to watch play. He just continues to get hits no matter how the team is doing. There is still a long way to go, but he is making a great case for rookie of the year.

3. Beltre isn’t a superhero. Watching him grab at the hamstring always makes my stomach hurt, and it is a reminder that he is getting up there in his career. The Rangers have plenty of talent to help at 3rd, but we all want to see Beltre at the hot corner. If he is out long term it will hurt this team, mark my words. He is the heart and soul of this franchise, like Michael Young was before him. I will hold my breath and hope for the best though. Between Jurickson Profar and Joey Gallo, third ahould be okay.

4. The Rangers are always in a game. I love how resilient this team is this season. They have carried the mantra of never ever quit into 2016. Even though they lost, they had people in scoring position late in the game, and they never felt totally out of it. They still have the best record in the American League, and they are doing very well in their own division. I can live with this loss.

All in all, the Rangers just couldn’t get the offense going tonight, and that happens from time to time. I just hope they get it back on track tomorrow, and I hope Yu and Beltre are alright!