5 keys to a successful second half for the Texas Rangers

For a team that needs to make up some ground after the All-Star break and needs to convince the front office that it should buy at the upcoming trade deadline, the Texas Rangers are staring at opportunity.

Three games against the Houston Astros, three more against the Colorado Rockies and another three against the Los Angeles Angels. All away from Globe Life Park, which for the can’t-win-at-home Rangers is good thing.

The Astros and Angels are the two teams ahead of the Rangers in the American League West. The Rockies are the last-place team in the National League West and a team that a contender — as the Rangers consider themselves to be — should handle.

“Playing Houston and the Angels here in the next two days is big,” general manager Jon Daniels said. “No doubt about.”

The Rangers will enter Friday at 42-46 after a 1-7 homestand to close out the first half, and six games behind the first-place Angels and 5 1/2 behind the fading second-place Astros.

The Rangers are also 5 1/2 games out in the wild-card standings, but have to jump six teams get the second entry. A 9-0 road trip might not convince management to push in all of its chips.

“Almost regardless of what happens, I don’t think you’re going to see us on either extreme end,” Daniels said. “My mind-set is always wanting to add to the club and always wanting to win, but you’ve got to pay attention to the realities of the standings.”

For things to go right, the Rangers need help from players on the roster now, with help possibly supplemented from outside the organization. Here’s a look at some of the keys to a successful second half.　　

1. Shin-Soo Choo

He had a poor first month, but who in the Rangers’ lineup didn’t? Prince Fielder didn’t, but everyone else did. Choo rebounded from an .096 April with a .295 May, but he’s hitting .203 since. His woes and his struggles against left-handers (.153 average, .469 on base-plus slugging percentage) could relegate him to a platoon player, and an expensive one at that.

2. Adrian Beltre

A team that is so poor against left-handed pitchers needs its best right-handed hitter to, well, hit, and Beltre showed signs that he is beginning to shake off the effects of an injured left thumb and a sudden activation from the disabled list without a rehab assignment. He is batting only .239 (17 for 71) since being activated but finished the homestand 6 for 15 (.400) with a homer and four doubles. Even many of his outs were well-struck, which has given the Rangers further optimism.　

3. Matt Harrison

Everyone in the organization is rooting for Harrison, who returned last week and allows six runs in four-plus innings. He is expected to start next week during the Colorado series. The Rangers, though, are quietly beginning to wonder if Harrison is healthy enough to be capable enough in the big leagues. His velocity just isn’t where the Rangers want it even though Harrison was an out away from a nice effort against Arizona. A tough one at Colorado will force a difficult conversation. Nick Martinez and Chi Chi Gonzalez are waiting in the minors.　

4. Play smarter

The Rangers have very little margin for error, and they might not have any. So, they can’t be giving away runs with poor base running and defense. Plays like the one Choo made Sunday in right field against San Diego, turning a single into a triple and an early run, can’t happen. The Rangers also must execute better with runners in scoring position, as they batted .158 (23 for 146) in their final 22 games of the first half in those situations. But oftentimes a ground ball will do the job just as well. The Rangers need to take advantage of every scoring chance they get. “If we play good, solid baseball and we lose, I can live with that,” designated hitter Prince Fielder said. “It’s just causing ourselves to lose that you can’t do.”

5. Trade help

Daniels didn’t present a scenario in which an impact player is coming via a trade, so all those Cole Hamels and Justin Upton rumors and hopes and desires can be put to rest. Hamels would cost the Rangers too much in prospects and future salaries, and San Diego GM A.J. Preller gave up a lot to get Upton and would need a significant haul in return. The Rangers, though, could use a right-handed hitter to help the lineup, and the bullpen could use a reliable lefty or a steady righty with rookie Keone Kela piling up the innings and appearances.

This story was originally published July 16, 2015 at 4:19 PM with the headline "5 keys to a successful second half for the Texas Rangers."