Texas Rangers: Cole Hamels’ Opening Day efforts not enough
Cole Hamels took the mound for the Texas Rangers for their Opening Day game against the Houston Astros. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, the Rangers didn’t get the job done.
While the Texas Rangers came up short, overall it wasn’t a terrible loss. In other words, it could have been worse. The Rangers lost 4-1, however, on multiple occasions, the Rangers had chances but didn’t take advantage.
Cole Hamels pitched 5.2 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and striking out seven batters. However, the problem was that Hamels did not get any support from the Rangers’ batting lineup. In other words, the Rangers did not play as a team. The bullpen did well. However, they couldn’t get any support either.
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The batting lineup picked up where it left off last season. At the level of mediocrity. Finishing 6-for-31, striking out nine times is not where they want to be. They left six runners stranded on base.
There were times where they had golden opportunities to score runs, but they just could not take advantage. It’s the same as last year as there was a huge lack of focus and chemistry.
However, now that game one of this series is in the books, it’s time for the Rangers to focus on the next game. They need to forget the past and look to the future.
Doug Fister steps on the mound for the Rangers in game two taking on Houston’s Dallas Keuchel. Doug Fister will need to pitch well, but he will require the support of the Rangers batting lineup.
Next: Is this year’s Rangers offense better than 2017’s?
The keys to victory for the Rangers is to score some runs, avoid mistakes, and to deny Houston any chances to do anything. The Rangers need to be focused.