Rangers Season Preview: Predictions From Fan Hosts
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To get you ready for Opening Day, we had the guys preview what they expect from the Rangers in the 2016 campaign.
The most important player to the Rangers success this season is?
Cory Mageors (K&C Masterpiece): Elvis Andrus. This team lives and dies with him. If he's on fire, the team feeds off that energy.
Mike Bacsik (G-Bag Nation): Ian Desmond. I think he will become the Rangers CF at some point. He will also be hitting behind Fielder, Beltre and Moreland, which means plenty of opportunities to knock in runs.
Kevin "KT" Turner (Ben & Skin Show): I think the most important player to the Rangers success is Delino Deshields. Shin Soo Choo would be my other option, but I think back to how important Deshields was to the Rangers offense last year. Beating out ground balls, stealing bases, and just providing an overall spark and energy to the ballpark each and every day. A potential move to left field enhances his value, as he's much more suited to play a corner outfield spot due to his limited arm strength. I know some are cautioning a sophomore slump, but one thing that stands out to me is that his strikeout and walk rates last year were pretty consistent with what he's always done throughout his minor league career. I don't think last year was a fluke. The Rangers will need big years from Prince, Choo, Elvis, Beltre, Holland, etc., but I'm comfortable going with Delino as the most important player for the 2016 Rangers.
Shan Shariff (Shan & RJ): Beltre- if he gets hurt, is Gallo ready and is there enough pop left in line-up?
Jared Sandler (Rangers Pre & Post Game Host): The fact that it's tough to pick just one is a reason why this team will be successful. While they're lacking a Mike Trout-like superstar, they're deep in talent. If I had to pick one, though, how about...
Martin Perez. This is his year to take a big step forward and with question marks amongst the team's starters, he has the potential to answer those surrounding him emphatically. He also would be huge for a playoff run where, these days, it seems like you have to have three starters clicking to make a deep push.
The runner up for me is Ian Desmond. I'm past the point of expecting a monster power year from Prince and don't feel like it's prudent to rely on an aging Adrian Beltre. Offensively, Desmond has the potential to be dynamic with power and speed and, defensively, might end up play center predominantly, which is a premium position.
Ben Rogers (Ben & Skin Show): Derek Holland. If the Dutch oven is cooking with gas, a good rotation becomes GREAT!
Roy White (Shan & RJ): The most important player this season will be Rougned Odor. Is he the player that hit .330 for a three month stretch in the middle of the season? Or is he the guy that batted less than .220 over the other 3 months? Runner-up would be Yu Darvish/Cole Hamels, because having two aces is always better than one.
Kevin Hageland (K&C Masterpiece): Ian Desmond. After seeing him for just a week in Spring Training, Desmond looks like he will be a revelation for this club. People are saying he's on the decline - but look at his stats from the second half of the 2015 season and they are in line with what he has done the past four years. If that equals 22HR, 77RBIs, .265 average and a plus arm in the outfield (maybe center), then sign me up!
RJ Choppy (Shan & RJ): Yu Darvish. Their pitching is what will take this team to the AL West title or missing the playoffs. The offense is going to be steady but not great. If Darvish can come back from TJ and return to form earlier than most do, then this team has a real chance.
The Rangers will miss the playoffs because?
Cory Mageors (K&C Masterpiece): Their rotation depth doesn't stay healthy and falls apart.
Mike Bacsik (G-Bag Nation): I have picked them to go to the World Series and I jinxed them.
Kevin "KT" Turner (Ben & Skin Show): Health. This roster has been constructed so well. The only thing that can derail it, is multiple key injuries. Derek Holland, Prince Fielder, Shin Soo Choo, Mitch Moreland, and Adrian Beltre all have their injury histories, and a couple major injuries could really derail this thing.
Shan Shariff (Shan & RJ): Rotation can't stay healthy.
Jared Sandler (Rangers Pre & Post Game Host): All or most of the concerns about starting pitching are proven fair between lack of health and lack of development.
On another level, the Astros are just that good. Though, I'm not as bullish on their rotation as others.
Ben Rogers (Ben & Skin Show): IF… they miss the playoffs, it would either be because of injuries or the surging Astros. And let's be honest, they are due some good luck on the injury front, but every team in sports knows injuries are the quickest way to derail dreams. In addition to which, the Astros pose a serious threat in the AL West. They are young and insanely talented. I wouldn't be shocked to see Carlos Correa make a run at AL MVP. He's 21.
Roy White (Shan & RJ): The injury concerns we have with the starting rotation rear their ugly heads. If the team see 2 of it's top 4 starters (Yu, Cole, Holland, Perez) go down with a significant injury, the chances of them keeping pace with the Astros are slim.
Kevin Hageland (K&C Masterpiece): The Tommy John Curse. We are all expecting Martin Perez to up his game in his first full season back from UCL injury and obviously the Metroplex is counting down the days until Yu Darvish gets back on the bump for real. I believe both will be clutch this season, but if they aren't - playoffs might not be in the cards.
RJ Choppy (Shan & RJ): Because the Bullpen is a rag tag group who overplayed their abilities last year.
The Rangers will make the playoffs because?
Cory Mageors (K&C Masterpiece): Derek Holland and Martin Perez dominate the opposing teams 3&4 guys. When Yu Darvish comes back this rotation will be very scary if Holland and Perez are playing at they level they can play at. Which puts Colby Lewis maybe against the 5th starter on opposing teams in many cases...I'll take my chances with that.
Mike Bacsik (G-Bag Nation): The bullpen holds leads and give the O a chance to come back when down early in a game. Also the lineup has great balance and will score plenty of runs.
Kevin "KT" Turner (Ben & Skin Show): They will make the playoffs because of their ability to shorten games. I realize that bullpen production is typically fluid year in and year out, but if the Rangers have the lock down bullpen that we are expecting, then look out. I feel really good about taking a tie game or a one run lead into the 6th or 7th inning with the stable of arms that the Rangers have collected in their bullpen.
Shan Shariff (Shan & RJ): Healthy rotation, bullpen and spark from Ian Desmond.
Jared Sandler (Rangers Pre & Post Game Host): They're a very deep team that isn't reliant on one guy in a tough lineup and a top-notch bullpen and capable of replacing most injuries. Their confidence and mix of youth and experience will serve them well.
Ben Rogers (Ben & Skin Show): Their bullpen is DEEEEEP. The Texas bullpen has the makings of something that could even be historically good. There are multiple pitchers in the Rangers pen who could close in the big leagues right now. One of Banister's biggest strengths is his ability to wield a swiss army knife when given options. I can't wait to see how he utilizes the depth in his pen.
Roy White (Shan & RJ): The offense finished top half of the American League, and the pitching staff and bullpen simply do the jobs they're capable of. Injuries do not play a major factor in the season.
Kevin Hageland (K&C Masterpiece): The bullpen is as good as advertised. How many squads can say they just had one of their best closing seasons in team history (Shawn Tolleson in 2015) and still face a closer controversy with the fans? The Rangers are in that exact quandary, but not because they lack a closer - rather because they have three qualified candidates in Tolleson, Sam Dyson and Jake Diekman. Look for that trio to all get save opportunities and all execute them excellently.
RJ Choppy (Shan & RJ): Because the bullpen isn't a rag tag group who overplayed their abilities last year.
Bovada sets the over/under on wins for the Rangers this year at 83.5. What are you betting?
Cory Mageors (K&C Masterpiece): Over.
Mike Bacsik (G-Bag Nation): Over, 91-71 division champs.
Kevin "KT" Turner (Ben & Skin Show): I think 86.5 is more of a fair number, but I personally think the Rangers are a 90 win team. The Astros will be good as well, so there is potential of teams beating up on each other, but I see this as a 90 win team. It's a complete roster, built to contend now.
Shan Shariff (Shan & RJ): Over.
Jared Sandler (Rangers Pre & Post Game Host): Over.
Ben Rogers (Ben & Skin Show): Give me the over. The front office is motivated to win this year which means they won't be afraid to make additions at the deadline if needed. The Beltre window could be closing. How much longer will Yu be in a Rangers uni? The young guys are coming. The time to go for it is right now.
Roy White (Shan & RJ): Take the over. Even with the fact they've got to play the best teams in baseball last season (PIT, STL, CHI) during their interleague schedule, they should still have enough to finish well above .500.
Kevin Hageland (K&C Masterpiece): I think the Rangers will win 93 games; a +5 improvement over last season (which seems like a reasonable uptick). 93-69 would also match the average record the Rangers had from 2010-12 (all of which were playoff seasons as well).
RJ Choppy (Shan & RJ): I'd take the over. And I'd be fairly certain about that hitting.
Prediction?
Cory Mageors (K&C Masterpiece): AL West Winner and into the second round of the playoffs.
Mike Bacsik (G-Bag Nation): AL Champs, NL is better right now but it was better last year and KC won. So lets win the whole damn thing.
Kevin "KT" Turner (Ben & Skin Show): I think the Texas Rangers go 92-70, and are your 2016 World Series Champions. Call me a homer if you'd like, but this boat is real!
Shan Shariff (Shan & RJ): Playoffs as a wildcard to division winner Houston.
Jared Sandler (Rangers Pre & Post Game Host): My brain is telling me that they'll win the AL West on the last or second-to-last day and then lose in the Wo--Screw it...WORLD SERIES CHAMPS!!
Ben Rogers (Ben & Skin Show): I see the Rangers repeating as AL West champs and advancing on the ALCS. Hamels, Darvish, Holland, Perez… in front of arguably the best bullpen in baseball… pitching for a well balanced offense… you kidding me? This is the year of the Rangers. Don't want to make any promises beyond the ALCS without being Homerzilla stepping on tiny cars, because of course it will take a lot of luck to get even this far, but Texas is good. It's going to be a fun Summer for Rangers fans. Enjoy.
Roy White (Shan & RJ): Rangers win the division. Win the AL Pennant over Houston. Win the World Series 4-3 over the New York Mets. The Rangers are your 2016 World Series champs!
Kevin Hageland (K&C Masterpiece): AL West winner and advance to the AL Championship Series. Obviously, we're all hoping for even more, but this is another big step and hopefully will lead to the ultimate goal in 2017.
RJ Choppy (Shan & RJ): Wild Card. I think Houston is too talented to take them off the top perch right now. 87 wins won't take the division this year. Gonna have to win 90+ and I'm not sure the Rangers can do that. After that, it's a crap shoot.
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