Texas Rangers: Can Yu Darvish Dictate the AL West?

The Texas Rangers have been the overlords of the AL West all season long, but with the Houston Astros getting hot and Texas dropping two to the Chicago Cubs to start the second half, the return of Yu Darvish could have major implications in the outcome of the division.

After sustaining a number of injuries to their rotation in recent weeks, the Texas Rangers finally got someone besides A.J. Griffin to return to the fold. On Saturday Yu Darvish returned to the mound in Chicago, tossing 4.1 innings, allowing just two hits and two runs while striking out nine in the Rangers’ 3-1 loss. Aside from the elevated pitch count, which was Joe Maddon’s plan all along, Darvish looked to be his old self after missing the past month or so.

The timing of Darvish’s return is what could turn the tide in the AL West–but for which team has yet to be determined. The Rangers are getting one of their aces back, adding Darvish to Cole Hamels atop the rotation, but sit just 4.5 games up on the Astros following Saturday’s games. Houston just signed Yulieski Gourriel, and he could represent an upgrade at one of a number of positions, be it at third or DH, not to mention Alex Bregman’s seemingly imminent arrival in the big leagues representing another improvement for the other Texas squad.

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Yet, it’s the looming deadline that could put either of these teams over the hump this season. Early Saturday morning, Peter Gammons said to not rule out Houston as a fit for Tampa’s ace Chris Archer.

If Houston were to make that move, that could certainly move them ahead of Texas on paper, if Archer’s road numbers were to improve. Darvish has three starts left before the trade deadline, and in those three starts Texas should be calculating what pieces they’ll need for the stretch run. Problem is, Rich Hill, who is arguably the best pitcher that is definitely available on th e market, is on a division rival in Oakland, so trading prospects for a rental, only to see those pieces you’ve traded year after year on the opposition, is always a tricky proposition.

Instead, they could look to fortify their bullpen, which ranks 29th in ERA at 5.03, by incessantly calling the Yankees about one of their relievers. Heck, any of the big three would be acceptable.

Next: Archer to the Astros?

Yesterday in Chicago, Darvish was touching 98 and with some better command (he walked four), his pitch count should allow him to pitch deeper into games. With the bullpen as bad as it has been, the Rangers need more out of their starters to help mask the stench of that dumpster fire. Darvish should certainly be able to give them innings, if he can stay healthy, but it will be the acquisitions made by both teams at the trade deadline that will determine this division in 2016.

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