Texas Rangers 2011 Preview, Predictions & Odds

With the MLB Baseball season just around the corner, we are providing season previews for all 30 teams to give you the baseball betting edge. Follow the best MLB Baseball Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2011 season preview. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the MLB in our recommend sportsbooks. View the rest of our 2011 MLB Season Previews here.

They reached the World Series for the first time last season. But if the Rangers are going back, someone will have to fill Cliff Lee’s big shoes.

Texas Rangers 2010 MLB Record: 90-72
Texas Rangers 2010 MLB Home Record: 51-30
Texas Rangers 2010 MLB Away Record: 39-42

Texas Rangers 2011 Betting

Texas Rangers Odds to Win the American League: +800
Texas Rangers Odds to Win the World Series: +2000

Texas Rangers 2011 Preview & Prediction

The Texas Rangers enjoyed their best season ever in 2010, capped with their first American League pennant and trip to the World Series. Josh Hamilton was the league’s MVP, closer Neftali Feliz was the top rookie, and five players were selected to the All-Star Game. A sixth All-Star arrived just a few days before the Midsummer Classic when the Rangers traded for Cliff Lee. The lefthander was the difference in getting the Rangers past Tampa Bay in the ALDS and won his only start in the ALCS. Though Lee signed with Philadelphia in December, the Rangers were comforted by this fact: They were 4.5 games up in the AL West when he was acquired, and the same cast – along with Adrian Beltre and Brandon Webb – is back to help the Rangers defend their crown.

Texas Rangers Manager: Ron Washington – Fifth year Record: 331-317

Soft-spoken but forceful, Washington is beloved inside the Texas clubhouse. ln the dugout he preaches an aggressive style of play, especially on the basepaths.

Texas Rangers 2011 Projected Batting Order: 2B Ian Kinsler (R), SS Elvis Andrus (R), LF Josh Hamilton (L), 3B Adrian Beltre (R), RF Nelson Cruz (R), DH Michael Young (R), 1B Mitch Moreland (L), C Yorvit Torrealba (R), CF Julio Borbon (L).

Texas Rangers 2011 Projected Rotation: LH C.J. Wilson, RH Colby Lewis, RH Brandon Webb, RH Tommy Hunter, LH Derek Holland.

Texas Rangers 2011 Projected Closer: RH Neltali Feliz

2011 Texas Rangers Offense:

SS Elvis Andrus struggled in the leadoff spot last season and could give way to OF Julio Borbon. The other one would bat ninth. 3B Michael Young will stay in the 2-hole. He still has moderate power, but h’e hit fewer line drives last year and may not be a .300 hitter anymore. Washington plans on playing Josh Hamilton in left field to reduce wear and tear. Vlad Guerrero wasn’t re-signed when we went to press, which would make OF Nelson Cruz the new cleanup hitter. 2B Ian Kinsler seems like he’ll always be aguy who either hits for average or hits for power, but not both. But he’ll be one of the few middle infielders who bat in the middle of an order. 1B Mitch Moreland didn’t have a standout minor league track record and will probably need a right-handed platoon partner. If Guerrero isn’t retained, OF David Murphy will have a regular gig. C Yorvit Torrealba was brought in for his glove, but could have adecent offensive season after leaving pitcher-friendly San Diego.

2011 Texas Rangers Rotation:

With Cliff Lee gone, Colby Lewis will have to pick up the slack. He returned from japan a much more aggressive pitcher, and deserved better run support, especially from astacked Texas offense. C.J. Wilson’s transition to the rotation went as well as could have been hoped, though he still throws more pitches per inning and walks a few more batters than you’d like to see. The Rangers do a great job of coaching up their pitchers, but we’re not sure Tommy Hunter can repeat his 2010 line (even with the natural progression for 24-year-old). He got a ton of help from his defense and his bullpen. His ERA could be a run higher in 2011. Brandon Webb may never be the same after his shoulder surgery. Unless his velocty returns, he’s a middle-of-the-rotation type. The back of the rotation is up in the air. Scott Feldman was exposed as a subpar pitcher last year. Derek Holland has much more upside. The two highest upside guys are pegged for late-inning bullpen roles: Neftali Feliz and Alex Ogando might thrive as starters, but the Rangers brass would prefer they stay in the pen.

2011 Texas Rangers Bullpen:

The bullpen roles are going to depend on what happens with the rotation. If Neftali Feliz isn’t starting, he’ll be closing again. He handled just fine as a rookie. If Feliz heads to the rotation, Frank Francisco could step back into the closer’s role. He’s just as overpowering as he was when he was closing games two seasons ago. Alexi Ogando is an option from the right side. Darren Oliver is effective from the left side, but wouldn’t figure into the saves mix if Feliz goes to the rotation. Darren O’Day would be a longshot for the ninth inning as well.

2011 Texas Rangers Middle Infield:

Both starters were All-Stars and key contributors in the postseason run. Shortstop Elvis Andrus landed atop the batting order in late April, but he is expected to slide to the No.2 spot this season. Ian Kinsler missed two months with ankle and groin injuries, but the second baseman was at his best in the playoffs. Kinsler’s defense pales compared to Andrus’, but many in the organization believe Kinsler has unfairly been labeled as below-average with the glove. Andrus makes difficult plays look routine. The duo forms one of the ALs top double-play combos.

2011 Texas Rangers Corners:

The Rangers made their offseason splash in early January, when they signed Beltre to play third base. Beltre is a significant defensive upgrade over Michael Young, and he also gives the Rangers the right-handed power hitter they have been seeking to stick behind Hamilton in the lineup. Beltre has a .306 lifetime average at Rangers Ballpark with a .521 slugging percentage. First base has been in flux ever since Mark Teixeira was traded to Atlanta in the 2007 trade-deadline blockbuster. The latest to try to fill the void is Mitch Moreland, whose postseason showing (.348, seven RBIs) convinced dub brass that he can be an everyday player in 2011. Young could find himself at first, though he has never played the position.

2011 Texas Rangers Outfield:

The primary concern for the Rangers has been the same the past three seasons: Keep Hamilton healthy. He was out much of the last month last season with broken ribs, but had done enough in June, July and August to easily walk away with AL MVP honors. As they did last season, the Rangers are planning to use Julio Borbon as their first defense against a Hamilton injury. The speedy Borbon will be the starter in center field at the start of spring, and Hamilton will be pushed to left field to take some wear and tear off his big frame. Keeping Nelson Cruz healthy should be next on the Rangers’ list ofoutfield priorities. The right fielder found his way to the DL three times in 2010, each time for a groin injury. But despite playing only 108 games, Cruz posted impressive numbers and followed with 13 extra-base hits (six homers) in 16 postseason games. Borbon finished up at .276 in his first full big league season, despite a .083 start that cost him the leadoff spot.

2011 Texas Rangers Catching:

The Rangers addressed their hole behind the plate with free agent Yorvit Torrealba, who signed a two-year deal for $6.25 million. The team also welcomes back Matt Treanor, who saved the Rangers early last season even: though he didn’t make the Opening Day roster. Former hitting coach Clint Hurdle knew Torrealba from their time together with Colorado, and praised him for his game-calling ability and knack for getting on base. Treanor is content to be the backup, though that’s a loose term as the Rangers don’t want Torrealba to catch more than 100 games.

2011 Texas Rangers Bench:

Young takes over as the primary designated hitter to make room for Beltre, though the team has told Young that he will still see plenty of time in the field. Young has hit 43 homers the past two years, and he drove in 91 runs in 2010. David Murphy returns as the Rangers’ fourth outfielder, though he plays more than his label would indicate. He had 419 at-bats in 2010 and 432 in 2009 as the extra outfielder. His bat got so hot last summer that he became the starting left fielder.

Texas Rangers 2011 Season Predictions

The Rangers have built a team that can win in both the short and long term. But they won’t be sneaking up on anyone this year, and they’ll sorely miss Cliff Lee’s presence atop the rotation. There’s still enough talent across the board to keep them in the hunt, but they’ll face stiff competition in the AL West from the much-improved A’s. – We predict that the Texas Rangers will finish 90-72 & 2nd in the AL West Division.

Texas Rangers 5-Year Win Trend

2006: 3rd AL West 80
2007: 3rd AL West 75
2008: 2nd AL West 79
2009: 2nd AL West 87
2010: 1st AL West 90

Will the Texas Rangers will go all the way to the World Series? Or, will their season be lackluster? Either way, you can still enjoy Texas Rangers betting at our feature sportsbooks. Texas Rangers Betting is serious business; where you can make a ton of money placing informed, smart Texas Rangers bets. Check out these highly reliable, trustworthy, online sportsbooks.

Join BetUs.com Today and Bet on the Texas Rangers and receive up to 140% in CASH BONUSES!