The Cowboys don’t play Tony Romo late in a blowout loss. Likewise, the Mavericks wouldn’t keep Dirk Nowitzki in the fourth quarter of a game in which they had zero chance of winning.
So, in this blowout loss of a season, why would the Rangers keep playing their stars? Of course, they shouldn’t. It’s time to waive the white towel, shut down the studs and start planning for 2015.
Why?
Because at 48-76, the Rangers could win their final 38 games and still probably not make the playoffs as an 86-win team. The only drama that remains in ’14 is whether or not they’ll finish with the worst record in baseball. There’s only 23 percent of the season remaining beginning with tonight’s series opener in Miami against the Marlins, and it’s fine by me if we don’t again this season see the likes of Yu Darvish, Alex Rios and Shin-Soo Choo.
Darvish is the team’s future, not the pitiful present. He’s on the disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow and has no chance at a Cy Young Award. So why not shut him down and make sure he’s 100 percent from the 2015 opener? Seriously, what are four quality starts in September going to mean to him? To this team?
Same with Rios, who’s struggling through ankle problems and has seen his power wither away. Choo has been battling an ankle injury since April that’s sapped his speed, leaving a perennial 20-base stealer with only three as a shadow of his former, productive self.
I'm amazed by this season's decent attendance at Globe Life Park, given the inferior product on the field. It's a testament to fans' love of baseball and summer and the goodwill the Rangers have built through the years.
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But the next time we should see the Rangers' stars on the field is in Surprise, Arizona.
Live to fight another day, or in this case, another season.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
