Houston Astros didn’t panic, Rangers aren’t panicking either
Trailing in the American League West almost the entire season, the Houston Astros have resurfaced as the Texas Rangers’ top competition for the American League West title.
The Astros have gone 15-5 since falling a season-high 11 games out of first place and ended the first half Sunday only 5 1/2 games back in second place as the Rangers stumbled to the All-Star break.
The difference between the two clubs has been the Rangers’ 9-1 head-to-head record against the Astros, who understand that they can’t continue to falter against their in-state rivals.
“It has to change,” Astros second baseman Jose Altuve said Monday at the All-Star media day. “We have to find a way.”
Altuve said that the Astros never panicked as they slumped early and as the Rangers took off in June. They saw something similar last year, when the Rangers were lousy in April and trailed by eight games in August before passing the Astros for the West title.
They believe they can be the team to charge from behind this season.
“We’re the Rangers of 2015, and they’re us,” Astros closer Will Harris said. “It was done last year. There’s no reason why it couldn’t be done again this year with us on the other side of the coin.”
The two Rangers All-Stars, meanwhile, said there is no reason for the fan base to panic. Outfielder Ian Desmond’s message to fans is to keep supporting the Rangers and to be mindful of the length of an MLB season.
Left-hander Cole Hamels said that the Rangers’ finishing stretch, in which they lost nine of their final 12 games, isn’t an unusual stretch for any team during a 162-game season.
“I don’t think our schedule benefited us much,” Hamels said. “It’s a good refresher for us, and I think it’s going to re-energize us and get us back on our purpose and our track of what we’ve been setting up to accomplish.”
No. 1 Desmond fan
Outfielder Bryce Harper couldn’t understand why no team would sign Desmond, a free-agent shortstop and his former Nationals teammate, during the off-season.
Harper knew the kind of athlete Desmond is and the power he has, and just as importantly the kind of teammate Desmond is. The Rangers finally nabbed Desmond for $8 million, converted him into an outfielder, and have an All-Star on their hands.
“Unbelievable teammate. One of the best guys I’ve ever played with in my life,” said Harper, the reigning National League MVP. “I said it in the off-season, ‘I can’t believe nobody wouldn’t want this guy.’ He’s one of the best in the league.”
I said it in the off-season, ‘I can’t believe nobody wouldn’t want this guy.’ He’s one of the best in the league.
NL MVP Bryce Harper on Ian Desmond
Harper said that he tries to watch the Rangers whenever he gets a chance, and he exchanges text messages a few times a week with Desmond. Harper isn’t surprised that Desmond is excelling as a center fielder.
“A tremendous athlete and one of the best arms in the game,” Harper said. “To be able to play the few years that I did, I learned so much for him. For him to go over to Texas, in a new league as well, I’m definitely not surprised. He deserves everything he gets.”
Desmond is an All-Star for the second time in his career, but the first time he didn’t play because of an injury. He said that this time around he is trying to savor time with the fellow All-Stars after being more business-like during the regular season.
“It’s good to see all the guys,” Desmond said. “It’s good to see all the guys. In my normal day-to-day, I kind of go about my business with my eyes down and not really chit-chatting with guys on the other team. This provides the opportunity to meet other guys and see what other personalities are like.”
Jeff Wilson: 817-390-7760, @JeffWilson_FWST
This story was originally published July 11, 2016 at 8:50 PM with the headline "Houston Astros didn’t panic, Rangers aren’t panicking either."