Steady Going

Perceptions of players and teams for any given baseball season are usually hardened after the first few months of the season. For instance, the Texas Rangers stood at 19-35 entering June, there was open questioning of Ron Washington's job stability in Arlington and Michael Young was on pace to fall short of a fifth straight 200 hit season. We, the baseball viewing public, saw a disaster in progress. Most of us left the Rangers behind and searched for a more palatable baseball diet consisting of the NL Central leading Milwaukee Brewers, a certain Yankee third baseman, a bevy of young pitching stars hitting the majors and Arizona's youth movement.

Well, things have changed a bit down in Texas and when the baseball viewing public looks back on the 2007 season hopefully some will recognize the turn around. Since May 31st the Rangers have put together 14-12, 14-12, 14-14 and 8-3 months. With a record of 69-76 the Rangers are getting in position to make the season respectable.

Will the surprise teams of 2008 be the Texas Rangers and Pittsburg Pirates? Chris chuckled when I mentioned Pittsburg a couple of days ago and while it's not an official statement by me yet I'm getting close to making these my two sleeper picks for 90+ wins next season.