Moreland and his Mike Napoli douche-beard It has been my opinion as the Rangers have fallen back to Earth that the problem isn't pitching, it's hitting.
Yes. Even after the Rangers were drilled by the Oakland A's last night 7-2. The fact remains, that on a typical night, the Rangers' pitchers will need to keep opponents to about two runs per game in order to win. That's not good.
I'm not saying the Rangers pitching situation is ideal, but it'll even out and get better. Neftali Feliz is already back. Tommy Hunter and Scott Feldman are on the mend. As are Brandon Webb and Darren O'Day. I suspect all four will be in a Rangers uniform at some point during this season.
I am tired of some guys. I'd not like to see Ryan Tucker in another close game, if at all. Brett Tomko I don't mind, but I don't like either.
On the other hand, it's perplexing to me why Pedro Strop and Cody Eppley are not getting put into the higher-pressure situations. Yes, they will fail at some point. However, those are two guys you can expect to be in the bullpen in 2012 and 2013. Tucker and Tomko, not so much.
Furthermore, Arthur Rhodes and Darren Oliver are being completely misused, and it's only a matter of time before a Rangers starter's arm falls off for throwing 120 pitches.
Again, none of these names matter because the Rangers offense sucks so much that it's hard to believe that they won those nine games at the start of the season.
Ian Kinsler is beyond slumping. Nellie Cruz and Josh Hamilton are hurt. Elvis Andrus is inconsistent. Mike Napoli and Mitch Moreland are in and out of the line-up so much that it doesn't matter that they could be bashing. Chris Davis has shown signs of life, but he can't get on the field. Julio Borbon's your third best hitter, and that just ain't right.
The only guy hitting is Mike Young. Again, the guy is old and it's been proven that as he's moved from demanding spots on defense to less-demanding positions, his offense has responded.
Otherwise, we have to get real honest with ourselves at some point. I think Ron Washington thinks it'll all even out. However, we have to consider change. Remember, it was change -- quick and without regard to feelings -- that saved the Rangers in 2010.
At some point, do we realize that Kinsler might be a so-so hitter and might be a better fit at the bottom of the order? Do we consider moving Andrus down? Does Mike Napoli need 500 at-bats? Moreland? Do we need to see for once and for all what Davis has? Borbon?
Once Cruz and Hamilton return, things will shake out. I also assume things will even out and Kins and Andrus will start getting on base. Of course, the Ranger might be .500 in July and we may all still be hoping and wishing.
