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As I sit here this morning and think about what exactly transpired yesterday, I can’t help but feel a little depressed this morning about the American League West’s shift in power. Just think about it for a few minuets: the Angels, arguably the Rangers biggest rivals already before yesterday, added not only the best hitter of our generation and one of the best of all times, but, they took one of our own in C.J. Wilson. Love or hate him, C.J. is a very talented pitcher and he meant a lot to the Texas Rangers over the past two seasons. In 2012, the rivalry will be in full swing. I can’t wait until May 11th, the first time that the Rangers and Angels will meet in the 2012 season. I will not jeer at Wilson, I will be thankful for the time that he gave us and the good he did during regular season for the years he was here, but as soon as the game starts, he is one of them and I will root for him to lose. Honestly, I will root for him to lose no matter who he is facing, but I really hope that he is lambasted by the Rangers. Overall, argue with me if you want, I still say that the Rangers are the better team and unless something else changes, I will have a hard time not picking the Rangers to win the West for a third straight season. The Angels rotation is much more proven than the Rangers, but that does not mean they are going to be better. Call me crazy, but who expected a rotation of
Wilson, Lewis, Holland, Ogando and Harrison to start the whole year and take the Rangers to their second straight World Series?
The Angels have improved, and they were not that bad last year. They will be better, but trust me, the Rangers will find a way to be better as well. I trust Jon Daniels, Thad Levine and the front office crew to get the job done for the Rangers like they have been doing for the past few seasons. They are not dumb, and they have a plan. We just do not like the fact that we have no idea what that plan is right now! So Rangers fans, it is okay to have the blues today, and we may still even have the blues next week, but remember, the Rangers are still the reigning American League Champs, and just because the Angels bought talent does not mean they will win (See the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Eagles for examples). So have faith, the AL West will still be decided on the field, and that means, anything can happen.
I think the fact that a bunch of no-name pitchers got them to the Series last year is why I don’t think you can expect it again. Lightning doesn’t strike twice very often. I think the Angels unfortunately will win the division now. They have addressed their needs well in firming up the rotation and adding the one bat they were missing. It’s gonna be a battle, for sure.