When the Rangers signed Eric Gagne a few weeks ago the team, the team has gained the image as "the" best bullpen in the league. If Eric Gagne can pitch even the slightest bit like he did when he was the most dominate reliever in the game in 2004, the Rangers certainly have one nasty relieving core. This is how it looks:
1. Eric Gagne
2. Akinori Otsuka
3. Frank Francisco
4. Wes Littleton
5. Kameron Loe
6. C.J. Wilson
7. Joaquin Benoit
The Rangers will most likely go with a seven man rotation this year because they now have a more reliable starting rotation. There will be plenty of competition during spring training to crack this elite bullpen as Ron Mahay, Josh Rupe, Rick Bauer, John Koranka, Jon Rienicker, and Edison Volquez will all be auditioning for a spot. If everybody is healthy, the Rangers should go into the season with the notion that their bullpen will be a big asset to help this team win in close games. Teams that have exceptional bullpens usually are teams that play into October.
There were rumors circling that the Rangers were looking to trade Otsuka in order to fill out there "used to be" depleted rotation. With the addition of Brando McCarthy it looks like the Rangers no longer need to shop Otsuka. Having a one-two punch of Canadian/Japanese flair in the 8th and 9th innings will be something fun to watch this season.
The bullpen was a big problem last year as the team had trouble playing in close games. Many leads were blow and thus many games were lost. This rotation is scary on paper, and overall the Rangers have vastly improved their pitching. Every year we see how good pitching dominated good hitting. It’s a very fact and this year the Rangers have a chance of winning with pitching.
- Big-D Sports
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6 comments:
not the best in the league be ONE of the best
what about the angles???
not anymore you guys just lost shields. yeah i the rangers actually have a very scary bullpen!
with this great bullpen i think this team could reach the world series. i'm a cubs fan and i really think that the rangers have a special team if they sign mulder/zito. the white soxs were stupid to trade mccarthy
The Angels have the better pen by FAR. Angels have the best pitching staff in baseball 1-9. Detroit has a better rotation, but Angels are close and their bullpen just puts them over the top. All the Angels starters have to do is get past the 5th, then out comes Darren Oliver, Hector Carrasco, Jason Speier, Scot Shields, and Frankie Rodriguez. 2nd best closer in baseball (Mariano still has to be #1), best setup man in baseball (Shields), and easily top 10 setup man in baseball (Speier). Rangers bullpen is solid, but FAR from the best.
The Angel pen is a complete joke only because you sir are putting down Darren Oliver as a key component of their bullpen. The same picher that got lit up when i was watching him as a ranger. The Angels have done nothing to improve their offense. (no Hillenbrand won't do it) Justin Speier is the correct name. The AL West is the worst division in baseball....thats why the rangers have a shot to win it.
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