Texas Rangers: 2017 MLB season preview

After two years of going to the ALDS and two years of losing, it’s time for the Texas Rangers to get to the World Series. Is 2017 the year it will happen?

The Texas Rangers had a very solid year in 2016, and with a lot of familiar faces returning to the roster the Rangers should be able to expect the same level of competition as they have seen in 2015 and 2016. They finished the 2016 season with a 95-67 record and in sole possession of the AL West.

While all of the individual parts look good, the Rangers haven’t had the strongest showing at spring training, which doesn’t mean anything, really, but it’s interesting to note that they’re in the bottom third out of the entire American League.

Nevertheless, the Rangers are stacked and they’re ready to defend their spot atop the AL West.

Mar 21, 2017; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws in the first inning during a spring training game against the Chicago White Sox at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

Pitching

Cole Hamels will likely not be in the first two spots of the Rangers’ rotation, but that’s by design. The Rangers want to give the veteran a cushion, so they’ll have Yu Darvish and Martin Perez lined up in the front two spots so that Hamels has a good chance to rest in between starts. With a shortened opening week, the third starter will get more rest due to the two days off, and a four-man rotation will allow the team to have plenty of coverage in those first eight days.

It’s looking more and more likely that the last spot in the rotation will go to A.J. Griffin, who improved a lot since his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Here’s a look at what the four-man rotation will probably look like:

Yu Darvish, RHP (2016: 7-5, 3.41 ERA, 100.1 IP, 132 SO, 1.12 WHIP)

Martin Perez, LHP (2016: 10-11, 4.39 ERA, 198.2 IP, 103 SO, 1.41 WHIP)

Cole Hamels, LHP (2016: 15-5, 3.32 ERA, 200.2 IP, 200 SO, 1.31 WHIP)

A.J. Griffin, RHP (2016: 7-4, 6.54 ERA, 63.1 IP, 59 SO, 1.33 WHIP)

RHP Tyson Ross, RHP Andrew Cashner, and Chi Chi Gonzalez are all working out injuries and will not start the season on the DL. Gonzalez, who has been dealing with a UCL tear, will not be ready until June at the earliest.

The last spot in the rotation is still being worked out. With so many Rangers veterans on the roster, there is a good group to choose from.

Mar 21, 2017; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor (12) turns the double play while avoiding Chicago White Sox designated hitter Avisail Garcia (26) in the second inning during a spring training game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

Lineup

The first thing to notice about the Rangers’ 2017 projected lineup is the power. It’s little wonder these Rangers have been so dominant in the AL West the past two years. With guys like Rougned Odor and Adrian Beltre, there is a lot of power in these bats.

Here’s a projection of what the lineup might look like for the 2017 season:

Catcher: Jonathan Lucroy (2016: .292 AVG, 24 HR, 81 RBI, 5 SB, .855 OPS)

1B: Mike Napoli (2016: .239 AVG, 34 HR, 101 RBI, 5 SB, .800 OPS)

2B: Rougned Odor (2016: .271 AVG, 33 HR, 88 RBI, 14 SB, .798 OPS)

3B: Adrian Beltre (2016: .300 AVG, 32 HR, 104 RBI, 1 SB, .879 OPS)

SS: Elvis Andrus (2016: .302 AVG, 8 HR, 69 RBI, 24 SB, .800 OPS)

LF: Jurickson Profar (2016: .239 AVG, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 2 SB, .660 OPS)

CF: Carlos Gomez (2016: .231 AVG, 13 HR, 53 RBI, 18 SB, .682 OPS)

RF: Nomar Mazara (2016: .266 AVG, 20 HR, 64 RBI, 0 SB, .739 OPS)

The Rangers have Shin-Soo Choo (2016: .242 AVG, 7 HR, 17 RBI) and Ryan Rua (2016: .258 AVG, 8 HR, 22 RBI) available at the DH, which gives them even more power behind the plate.

Sep 30, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (25) touches the beard of relief pitcher Sam Dyson (47) after the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Texas won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Bullpen

The Rangers bullpen is largely the same as it was in 2016, and that was the plan. Manager Jeff Banister said, “I feel confident in the bullpen, I do think it will be a strength for us.”

Closer Sam Dyson (2016: 2.43 ERA, 70.1 IP, 55 SO, 1.22 WHIP) had 38 saves in 43 attempts last year, and he’ll be supported by RHP Jeremy Jeffress (2016: 2.33 ERA, 58 IP, 42 SO, 1.26 WHIP) and RHP Matt Bush (2.48 ERA, 61.2 IP, 61 SO, 0.94 WHIP).

Lefty Alex Claudio (2.79 ERA, 51.2 IP, 34 SO, 1.26 WHIP) has been showing a lot of promise so far and might make the bullpen with his unique sidearm delivery and 85 MPH fastball.

Mar 12, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers manager Jeff Banister (28) looks on against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Manager

Texas Rangers manager Jeff Banister has been with the club since 2015 when he replaced Tim Bogar. Going into his third year with the Rangers, Banister has got to know that two back to back years of losing the ALDS is going to get old quickly. Texas needs to win, and that’s what he’s going to focus on.

Banister was able to turn the Rangers around in 2015, so the big question is whether or not he can get the team through the ALDS and into the American League Championship Series.

Mar 20, 2017; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Tyler Anderson (44) talks with second baseman DJ LeMahieu (9) and first baseman Mark Reynolds (12) during the third inning against the Chicago Cubs during a spring training game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

X-Factor

The Texas Rangers have a very powerful trio of right-handed relievers in their bullpen. Looking at their lineup, the Rangers can clearly get on the board, and the starting rotation can help to set up the bullpen and win the game.

This combination has been working very well, but knowing that the bullpen can preserve leads and keep other teams from scoring late in the game is huge.

Next: Check out our Rangers site!

If this winning trio of relievers can keep things going like they did in 2016, then this will be a powerful Rangers team.

Feb 22, 2017; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor (front) takes a selfie with catcher Robinson Chirinos , shortstop Elvis Andrus and pitcher Martin Perez during photo day at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Prediction

AL West leaders, and a trip to the ALCS. No question.

With the competition coming out of the AL East, the American League title is not easy to come by. That said, the Rangers have what it takes to get into the next round of the battle.