They have been here before.
The Texas Rangers haven't been playing their best baseball, going 4-6 on their latest road trip and losing eight of their past 12 games. And, just when it seemed as if they were getting back on track in a 5-0 victory Sunday at San Francisco, another pitcher was injured.Alexi Ogando left the game with a groin injury and had an MRI on Monday. Team physician Keith Meister didn't look at the results until Monday evening, though, and an announcement about whether the injury will send Ogando to the disabled list with fellow pitchers Derek Holland and Neftali Feliz is expected today.Either way, don't expect the Rangers to hit the panic button. After all, they still have a three-game lead on the Los Angeles Angels in the American League West, and the season isn't even at the halfway mark with 101 games remaining.They endured similar droughts the past two seasons, and we all know where they eventually ended up.But should fans be worried?The Star-Telegram looks at the similar stretches in 2010 and 2011, as well as three reasons for optimism and three reasons for concern about the team.Causes for confidence1. History: Every team is bound to go through rough stretches over a 162-game season, and the two-time American League champions are no different. In their favor, however, is the resiliency they've shown in getting through those tough times the previous two seasons. They also have players who are known for strong second-half performances. David Murphy is a .295 hitter in the second half compared with .266 in the first half. Nelson Cruz is a better second-half hitter throughout his career, too, posting a .288 average down the stretch compared with .253 in the first half. Pitching-wise, Derek Holland and Colby Lewis have had better ERAs in the second half.2. Help coming: Roy Oswalt makes his third minor league start for the Rangers tonight at Double A Frisco. He expects to join the Rangers' rotation soon, and has been an ace-level pitcher in his career. Oswalt won 20 games in 2004 and 2005, and has pitched more than 200 innings in seven of his 11 big league seasons. The Rangers also will benefit when Holland and Neftali Feliz return from the disabled list.3. Home cooking: The Rangers have played the most road games in the big leagues so far, going 20-15. Not a bad record, of course, but as Josh Hamilton said: "There's something to be said for playing at home and sleeping in your own bed." Texas will play 19 of its next 25 games in the friendly -- and hot -- confines of Rangers Ballpark in Arlington going into the All-Star break. The Rangers know how to handle the heat better than any opponent, and are 15-11 at home so far. In 2011, they were 52-29 at home and, in 2010, they were 51-30.Causes for concern1. Injuries: In spring training, manager Ron Washington said health would be one of the main factors in determining the Rangers' success this season. And, for the first six weeks of the season, the Rangers didn't make any roster moves, the longest stretch in team history. Then in May, Neftali Feliz was lost for 4-6 weeks because of elbow inflammation, and he has yet to begin a throwing program. Derek Holland landed on the disabled list next with left shoulder fatigue, his first stint on the DL since 2010. And now the Rangers are awaiting word on whether right-hander Alexi Ogando will be the third pitcher placed on the DL. Last season, the Rangers went through the entire season with their rotation intact. From a position player standpoint, it's been a good year so far as Nelson Cruz, Adrian Beltre and Josh Hamilton have battled through minor setbacks without requiring a DL stint.2. Division record: The past two seasons, the Rangers have dominated the division. They went 32-25 against AL West rivals in 2010 (10-9 vs. Angels; 10-9 vs. Athletics; 12-7 vs. Mariners). In 2011, they had an even more impressive 40-17 record (12-7 vs. Angels; 13-6 vs. Athletics; 15-4 vs. Mariners). So far this season? The Rangers have a losing record (10-12) against the AL West (3-3 vs. Angels; 2-4 vs. Athletics; 5-5 vs. Mariners). Washington has said that the division -- and all of baseball -- is better this year, but winning within the division is critical, especially this year with the additional wild-card playoff team. The Rangers would like to avoid being in the one-game playoff between the two wild-card teams.3. Prospects struggling: The Rangers have shown a willingness to promote their young prospects to the big leagues. They didn't hesitate giving the left-handed reliever spot to rookie Robbie Ross out of spring training, and they've recently called up Tanner Scheppers. But the top starting prospects in Triple A -- Martin Perez and Neil Ramirez -- haven't pitched well enough to earn a chance at filling Neftali Feliz's or Derek Holland's rotation spot. Perez is 3-5 with a 5.40 ERA in 13 starts, while Ramirez is 6-6 with a 7.88 ERA in 13 starts. Two pitchers on the 40-man roster who have big league experience -- Mark Hamburger and Michael Kirkman -- also have been inconsistent. Hamburger has a 7.62 ERA; Kirkman is at 5.25.Breaking down the seasons| Year | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
| Rough stretch |
26-24,
April-May |
27-28,
May-June |
18-20,
May-June |
| Team ERA during stretch | 4.23 | 3.95 | 4.16 |
| Team ERA for season | 3.93 | 3.79 | 3.65 |
| Team avg. during stretch | .267 | .261 | .277 |
| Team avg. for season | .276 | .283 | .282 |
| Worst months |
April (11-12);
August (13-15) |
May (13-15) |
May (14-14);
June (4-6) |
| Best month | 21-6 in June | 19-6 in Sept. | 17-6 in April |
