Q & A with Richard Durrett of the Dallas Morning News

Once again we are lucky enough to have Richard Durrett from the Texas Rangers Blog of the Dallas Morning News answer a few questions about the team he covers:

FW: Can the Rangers hang with the Angels if they continue to stay hot?

Richard Durrett: You would think will all of the Angels’ injuries that the Rangers could hang with them. But that will depend on this offense. For once, the pitching and defense has not been the Rangers’ problem. It’s been the offense’s inability to score runs on a consistent basis. They are too dependent on the homer right now and must do a better job of situational hitting and small ball, something the Angels do well. If the bats start swinging, they can hang with the Angels. But the schedule is getting tougher the next few weeks. We’ll see.

FW: How will Cruz's injury impact the Rangers?

Richard Durrett: I don’t think he’ll be out of the lineup for an extended period. They have plenty of depth in the OF, so I think they’ll try to play him when they can, but can work in Marlon Byrd, David Murphy, Andruw Jones and Josh Hamilton without much problem.

FW: Why aren't the Rangers in the Halladay rumor mill?

Richard Durrett: Money. The club’s financial situation makes is tough to get a guy like Halladay and pay for him the rest of this season, next season and even after that. Nolan Ryan, in a chat on the DMN Rangers blog, discussed that a bit today. The Rangers have the prospects to make a deal and I do think they’ll do their homework to look into it, but it seems like a long shot.

FW: How has Hamilton looked since returning from the DL?

Richard Durrett: He’s a more disciplined hitter, but his timing is still not quite there. He should get better and better, but I expect him to have a solid second half.

FW: Should Millwood have been on the All-Star team?

Richard Durrett: I think so. The guy led this rotation, had a good ERA and pitched deep into games in the first half.

FW: Will Teagarden be traded before the deadline?

Richard Durrett: My bet is no. But he’s an up-and-coming catcher still learning the ropes. He could be a good one. And I’m sure the Rangers would listen to offers because they have good depth at catcher.

FW: What is your prediction for this series with Boston?

Richard Durrett: I think the Red Sox take 2 of 3. The Rangers’ bats just aren’t awake right now.

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From Deep in the Heart of Texas

Ricard Durrett from the Texas Rangers Blog for the Dallas Morning News agreed to answer a few questions about the team the Red Sox will be facing for the next three games.

FW: Can the Rangers win the division without Josh Hamilton?

RD: Yes. It won’t be easy, but they can. The AL West is a weak division this season, where 88 wins is probably enough to win it. The Rangers have the bats to compete, though they’ve been inconsistent on offense early in the season. This Rangers team, like any Rangers team, must prove they can pitch well enough to stay in games. So far, for the most part, they’ve done that. In my opinion, it’s pitching more than the absence of Hamilton that will decide this division. But there’s no question he’ll be missed in the lineup and that means this team must get production from guys like Hank Blalock, Marlon Byrd and David Murphy to go along with the bats of Ian Kinsler, Michael Young and Nelson Cruz.

FW: How would you rate C.J. Wilson's performance since he took over the closer role?

RD: CJ Wilson is not the closer. He lost that job last season after a handful of struggling performances and an injury. Outside of yesterday’s two-run homer given up to Melky Cabrera, Wilson has pitched well in a late-inning setup role the past month. Frank Francisco is the team’s closer now that he’s returned from a brief stint on the DL. He’s been one of the top relievers in the AL. He’s aggressive and doesn’t mess around out there. He deserves an All-Star spot.

FW: What has been the biggest reason for the Rangers early success this season?

RD: Starting pitching. The rotation has pitched deeper into games and left with the Rangers still in it. Last season at this time, the Rangers had the most overworked bullpen in the AL. Now, they’ve got one of the least worked. It’s part of what Nolan Ryan stressed the last few years. He wanted pitchers to get one more batter, give the team one more inning. They are doing that. The fact that the offense hasn’t completely come around yet makes some think this team will only improve.

FW: Do you think the Rangers will trade Saltalamacchia or Teagarden before the deadline?

RD: Tough question. I think if the right deal is out there, they would trade one of those catchers. But they’ve been hesitant to do that so far. Rumors were out there about the Rangers wanting Clay Buchholz, but that hasn’t materialized. Saltalamacchia has shown vast improvement defensively and is starting to hit the ball. He must cut down on strikeouts. Teagarden, who plays once or twice a week and has been Matt Harrison’s personal catcher, has always been a big defensive presence and some see him with more upside. The bottom line: They’ve got two young catchers who can probably start in the majors for a long time.

FW: What are your predictions for this series with the Red Sox?

RD: The Rangers are fortunate to avoid Beckett and Wakefield. The X-factor is how Vicente Padilla does on Sunday, assuming he makes that start (and I think he will). I predicted the Rangers would take 2 of 3, but that won’t be easy.

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