Adrian Beltre: Crushing It's mid-May and despite all of the catastrophic injuries (the opening-day outfield is on the DL) and the inconsistent play, the Rangers having a winning record, are a half-game out of first in the AL West and it is pretty clear that the Oakland Athletics and the California Angels are not serious contenders for the division.
Of course, the same could be said for the Rangers, I guess. Still, we suspect this offense will find life and that the injuries can not get any worse.
With that said, the good and the bad:
1. Scooter Feldman was sharp in his rehab start in Frisco Saturday night. He's expected to make two more rehab starts before coming off the disabled list. Feldman may not incite a ton of confidence; however, he'll be filling in where Dave Bush has been this year as long relief and spot starter. The difference? Feldman's won 17 games in a season. Bush hasn't.
2. Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz will start their rehab this week with a potential return the week after during their next homestand against Chicago or Kansas City. Reinforcements are coming. If you want to see Rangers Jr. this week, go to Frisco.
3. Chris Davis has quietly kept his head above water in the Majors. Hit his second homer of the year today along with the game-winning RBI single. He did not strike out and has struck out just 14 times in 39 at-bats. He's hitting .256.
4. Mark Lowe got four outs, allowing one hit. Since his return, he's pitched four innings allowing two hits and three walks. No runs allowed.
5. Adrian Beltre over weekend: 4-11, 4 RBI, 2 runs, 2 walks, 2 home runs.
6. Ian Kinsler's bat has woken up. He went 6-12 with a pair of doubles and three runs over the weekend. He has a mini five-game hitting streak going. Average jumped from .221 to .250.
7. C.J. Wilson nor Derek Holland were particularly sharp. Control being issue No. 1. Walks absolutely kill these guys. Holland was a tad better, which is promising because we assume that Wilson will improve.
8. The Rangers lead Major League Baseball with 36 errors. Also have the worst fielding percentage.
9. Dan Haren is extremely good.
