Texas Rangers

Let’s take a look at some of the bigger stories that developed yesterday: 

Three Hot

 Texas Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler

There was a lot to like from the Rangers last night, from their offensive explosion to Derek Holland (5 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 8 K, W), who has a chance to emerge in the Rangers rotation not only for the final few weeks of 2010, but for 2011 as well. 

If you look in the National League, you see teams that have surprised many, such as the Braves, Reds, and Padres.

In the American League, it's a whole other story.

The Yankees and Rays look like the best teams in the AL, maybe even baseball, but in this slideshow, I will tell you why the Rangers are going to edge them out and make the Fall Classic.

Begin Slideshow

Ah, it's good to be back...

Last Night Rewind

A few weeks ago, the Editors at the Bleacher Report asked me to write a piece on why getting Cliff Lee was going to make the Texas Rangers World Series participants.

We all love a comeback story.

Weeks back I wrote a story about Mark Prior, the former first-round pick forced to suck up his pride and start from scratch.

Prior was the next big thing. 

Before Stephen Strasburg, before Aroldis Chapman and his 200 mph fastball, there was Mark Prior.

The Texas Rangers have signed yet another hard throwing arm for their pitching staff. Well, at least when he was first called up he had great start to his career with that arm before it fell apart. Mark Prior has reportedly signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers, according to Fort Worth Star Telegram's Jeff Wilson. 

He states that the deal will not just run through 2010, but could be intact for the long-term on his Twitter page. 

The last time Mark Prior took the mound in a major league game, it was August 10th, 2006 against the Milwaukee Brewers. He lasted just three innings that day as he gave up four hits, five walks, and four earned runs.

Josh Hamilton left Friday's game versus the Twins with back stiffness.

The injury doesn't appear to be too serious after hearing Hamilton's comments, but the Rangers were already worried about his achy knee that has flared up again. If you looked at the Texas slugger's performance lately, you couldn't tell he's been banged up.

When the Texas Rangers slipped in and made the deal for left-hander Cliff Lee, stealing him right out from under the New York Yankees, Ranger fans and players couldn't have been more excited.

They were getting a guy that was a proven winner not only during the season, but also in the playoffs.

However, that's not what they've gotten. Through 11 starts, Lee is 2-5 with a 4.69 ERA and has been nothing short of awful over his last five starts, giving up a combined 25 runs in those starts.

Jeff Francouer has been traded to the Texas Rangers in exchange for second baseman Joaquin Arias.

This trade was made just in time for Francouer to make it onto the Rangers' September expansion roster.

"This is going to be obviously a good opportunity for me to go play obviously against some lefties and go to the playoffs."

Francouer had been expecting a trade from the Mets as he wasn't being used in the outfield for most of the season. He is notorious for hitting against lefties, which is just what Texas needs.