Texas Rangers, Best Team in Baseball?

Not since 1989 have the fans of the Texas Rangers seen the team do what they're doing some 22 years later.

Through nine games, the Rangers are the best team in baseball winning eight of their first nine games including six straight right out of the box. The only loss coming in a 5-0 win in the first of a double-header against the Baltimore Orioles.

Their pitching has been outstanding and their offense has been clicking on all cylinders. Sure there will be those who say this can't last, but I seem to remember a few media members here in Dallas not believing in this team because of what kind of numbers they had put up during spring training.

That's why I've never believed spring training should mean anything more than what a pre-season game means in the NFL, absolutely nothing.

Adrian Beltre has been earning his keep, Ian Kinsler has showed off his bat at the top of the lineup, and the defense has been better than at any point possibly in franchise history.

While I'm not going to crown them with another American League championship just yet, especially not after nine games, there is something to be said for the way they're playing so far. There's a long way to go and a lot still to happen with this team.

If they continue at this pace, there isn't a team in the American League, or in baseball for that matter, who will be able to touch this ball club.

This is a marathon and not a sprint. They're out of the gate fast but teams who keep this pace normally flame out in the homestretch.

Manager Ron Washington and the rest of the staff with the Rangers need to continue to make the right moves at the exact right time.

On Monday, the Rangers begin the first of a three game set against the reeling Detroit Tigers who have lost six of their first nine games and are coming off a series loss to the Kansas City Royals.

After that, it's a showdown against the New York Yankees in what will be an epic battle and a rematch of the American League Championship series from last season. That series alone should be telling in just how good this team really is.


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