Time to bet on the Texas Rangers
Now that’s something new right?
And in case you didn’t get that, yes, the Rangers have been playing terrific defense this 2009 MLB baseball season. And for a team that has been known for anything BUT their D, it definitely looks like this club has finally moved on since losing A-Rod years ago.
The Texas Rangers have done a lot to get this defense going the way it is right now. For one, they knew they would get a full season from Chris Davis, a very good defensive first baseman, otherwise known for his power. To tighten the defensive skills of catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, they dispatched former big league catcher Scott Servais to Saltalamacchia’s home in Florida over the winter for some defensive tutoring.
The Rangers installed rookie Elvis Andrus at shortstop while shifting erstwhile shortstop Michael Young to third. ‘’It made us better at two positions,’’ Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. They have jumped from last in defensive efficiency to second, similar to the worst to first improvement by the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays.
The Rangers’ pitching has also improved. The hiring of pitching coach Mike Maddux away from Milwaukee was an inspired move. Ace Kevin Millwood (4-3, 2.93) not only has set the tone for a rotation that goes deep into games, but ‘’has set the example for everyone else as far as conditioning and work ethic,’’ Daniels said.
‘’In the past couple of years we had people to pitch the eighth and ninth innings,’’ Daniels said. ‘’We just couldn’t get to them. Now, with the starters going deep into games, you’re not at risk of overexposing your bullpen and you’re able to pitch people in roles they were intended to pitch in.’’
‘’Our bullpen is a little bit different,’’ Daniel said, ‘’because we have three starters in the bullpen. You could look at it that our sixth, seventh and eighth starters are in the bullpen: Jason Jennings, Derek Holland and Kris Benson.’’
Which team will win the 2009 MLB World Series? SPORTSBETTING.COM has the odds.
Tampa Bay Rays 10-1
Boston Red Sox 8-1
New York Yankees 5-2
Want more odds? Visit SPORTSBETTING.COM for more baseball betting odds. Want to watch baseball live? Get MLB tickets online now.
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