Last week, Vicente Padilla became the first pitcher in Texas Rangers history to go eight or more innings, give up one hit or less, and walk away with a no-decision.
On Sunday, Padilla was just as good; on Sunday, luck was on his side. Well, luck and a persistent offensive attack.
In any case, Padilla seems to have figured it out. For whatever reason, his velocity is back up to mid-90s, and his movement is better than it has been since he was a virtually unknown prospect for the Phillies.
Add Kevin Millwood, who has dealt consistently throughout the year, Matt Harrison who has looked borderline untouchable in his past few starts, to the reasons to get excited about these Texas Rangers.
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The change is real, palpable, and it doesn’t stop after the starting rotation.
C.J. Wilson has allowed only four hits and two earned runs in his last five appearances. Darren O’Day has allowed one earned run in eight appearances since being acquired in April. Derek Hollandm, 22, has been pretty lights-out, as well.
Frank Francisco has yet to allow a run. That is, Francisco has a: 0.00 ERA, nine strike outs and a 0.75 WHIP.
This is fairly unprecedented territory as far as Texas is concerned.
Most previews have been reverent of Texas’ offense and, just as consistently, dismissive of any pitcher with the perceived misfortune of calling the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington home. It is, at least usually, fairly reasonable.
It’s doubtful that anyone could have seen the type of numbers Millwood and, lately, Harrison and Padilla would put up.
But then, no one had the Rays taking the ultra-competitive American League East in 2008.
That is, as we like to say, why they play the games.
Of course, it is only mid-May, and there’s more than a lot of baseball to be played. But Texas is in first place due, directly, to a road trip over which they went 5-2. This isn’t unprecedented; what is, however, is the fact that this latest run was propelled not necessarily by a suffocating offense, but consistently good pitching.
Whether or not the Rangers end up taking the West in 2009, there’s little denying that things are changing in Texas.
If you don’t believe me, consider that you’ve just read an article directly aimed at praising the Texas Rangers’ pitching staff.
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