Cold Streak

Man.......maybe I should have never gone on vacation.  

Baseball is a game of ebbs and flows, and the Rangers have transitioned from a full flow to a temporary ebb.  Here are a few things I have noticed over the last two games:

Martin is struggling. I still think it is odd to say how much this offense is missing Delino DeShields, but it almost seems like his trip to the DL has changed the dynamic of the team more than anyone else.  Martin is struggling to get it done and looks absolutely lost at the plate, but without Delino, the options to play CF after Leonys are non-existent. 

Beltre does not look healthy.  Adrian surprised everyone with his sudden Tuesday activation after news broke that he was trying new grips to compensate for his thumb injury.  Even though he had a hit and scored a run last night, he still does not look fully comfortable at the plate.  I am not so sure a little rehab stint was not needed here if he is not going to return with the muscle memory of his normal grip and swing. 

Gallo still provides questions.  Joey's raw flash and power lead people to think he is fully MLB ready, but his poor splits vs lefties and incredible K rate say otherwise.  The kid has a brilliant future, don't get me wrong, but there is still so much room for growth.  I honestly hope he goes back down for a bit to work on a few very specific things, but my faith in his long term ceiling has increased by watching his short time here. 

Starting Pitching. Chi Chi and Wandy were roughed up on back to back nights by the suddenly hot Oakland A's, ending the streak of Rangers starting pitchers allowing three runs or less in 17 straight starts (which was remarkable by the way).  Simple math says the pitching staff was due to have a few blowups, but it always hurts worse when it comes against a division rival. 

Hamilton and Harrison. Both of them made rehab appearances in Frisco today and are nearing a return.  If you had told me 6 months ago that either of them would have been in a Rangers uniform this season, I would have laughed at you.  

Tomorrow is a new day. Sure, the Rangers are stuck with facing Sonny Gray tomorrow, but they did just beat Kershaw and Sale last weekend, so you never know.