Rangers are winning in 2nd Half with Home Runs, Middle Relief

Texas Rangers are 13-8 since the All-Star Break.

Offensive Stats

• Home Runs: 1st (36)
• Batting Average: 22th (.255)
• Runs: 18th (92) (11th - Pre-All Star Break - 430)
• Strikeouts: 2nd highest (171)
• Michael Young: .413 BA, .1253 OPS, 8 HR (leads AL in all 3 categories)
• Rest of Team: .235 BA
• % of Team Hits which are HR - 20% (Angels: 14%)

Pitching Stats

• ERA: 6th (3.72) - (20th: Pre-All Star Break - 4.34)
• Batting Average Against : 5th (.242)
• Starters: Vincente Padilla, Derek Holland, Scott Feldman (12 starts, 70 IP): 5-6, 5.14 ERA
• Rest of Staff: (9 starts, 119 IP): 8-2, 2.87 ERA
• Middle Relief: Darren O'Day, Eddie Guardado, Jason Grilli, Neftali Feliz -(26 Innings, 26 Games): 2.07 ERA
• Closer: C.J. Wilson (0-1, 7 Saves, 4.50 ERA) - Frank Francisco will resume closing duties
• Best Pitcher: Dustin Nippert - 3-0, 0.95 ERA, 2 starts, 6 games, 19 IP

They have played better baseball in the 2nd Half than the 1st Half (.619 W-L % vs. .551 W-L %) with less offense and better pitching. Their middle relief has pitched very well, but they need better starting pitching to compete with the Angels (4.5 games out).

Their more realistic goal might be the Wild Card (1 game out right now) with the Red Sox scuffling (8-12 since the Break and lost 4 in a row)