Nick Martinez, and just like that 2.5% of the season is over

The Rangers first four games of the regular season obviously mean something, because now the games matter, but, from an observational standpoint, the action on the field has more or less been an extension of spring training. 

I really like how Adam Morris of Lonestarball put it in saying (emphasis mine):

Two blowout losses, one blowout win, one reasonably close win.  Really, these sorts of early season results are a Rorschach Test of sorts.  If you think the Rangers can be good this season, this series probably reinforces that belief.  If you think the Rangers will be bad this season, you probably see this series or more evidence of that.

Derek Holland wasn't there for his first turn through the rotation, and it appears like it will only be a matter of time -- a month? -- before Chi-Chi Gonzalez arrives to the rotation and removes either Ross Detwiler or Nick Martinez. The team will gradually come together over time.

Speaking of Martinez, his start against Oakland on Thursday -- 7 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 5 K, 2 BB --  registered a Game Score of 72, topping his career-best score of 69 he posted on September 23rd last year in Houston. I haven't tooted the Nick Martinez Express on here or anywhere else since his rush to the big leagues in 2014, because although #4-5 starters don't exactly grow on trees, they aren't what anyone envisions when looking towards the future for the Rangers. But let's face it: if Nick is who he is and never improves even a speck from where he is right now, I would still have to consider his progress as a win for the organization.

Of course, if he continues to improve at the rate he's improved to this point, who knows. Maybe Nick Martinez will end up as a #3 starter someday. I wouldn't say that's a smart bet, but he is at least making it worthy of a conversation. 

Oh, and this is your April reminder that we're only through four games. Prince Fielder (.333/.412/.400) is the only player in the lineup hitting above .300, and is in an exclusive group with Carlos Corporan (.375) in having an on base percentage north of .300 (.412). No other player has an OBP above .286.

On the pitching end of things, the Rangers alternated between really pretty and pretty ugly in the first four games. Martinez (7IP/0ER) and Colby Lewis (6IP/1ER) showed up, and that was juxtaposed by how uninspiring Ross Detwiler (8 runs on 10 hits in 4.1 IP) and Yovani Gallardo (4 runs on 6 hits in 4.0 IP) were. 

Still, four games. 

It doesn't matter yet, just kind of. Wake me up when it's June.