By JD

This is a big week for the Texas Rangers, a week that can shape not only the future of this season, but the future of this franchise.  I say that, because the Rangers start a 4 game series with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in Orange County California.   The Angels are all in this season, spending way too much on an aging Pujols, paid former Ranger CJ Wilson, and traded their future to get Zack Greinke this past weekend.  The Angels want to win now, and their goal is to catch the Rangers.  The Angels are down 5 games to Texas, so with a 4 game series the Angels are hoping to make up some serious ground.

As for the Rangers, this series might let Nolan Ryan and GM Jon Daniels know where the Rangers stand against not only the Angels, but in the now tough American League.  July 31 is the trade deadline, and the Rangers are still trying to land an Ace pitcher without giving up their two prize prospects, Profar and Olt.  So early in this week the Rangers will either land an Ace without mortgaging the future, or they’ll let go of one of their star youngsters to try and win now.

If the Rangers do pay a heavy price for an Ace pitcher, the Rangers will not only have even more pressure to win it all this season, but a ton more pressure to sign free agent to be Josh Hamilton.  If Profar and Olt can play next year for the Rangers, losing Hamilton doesn’t hurt that much.  But if the Rangers trade one of them, the Rangers are basically saying they’re all in this season for that elusive World Series trophy.

And what if the Rangers don’t land an Ace?  Can this pitching staff as is compete with the best in the AL?  This week will be a big test, with 4 games against possibly the best rotation in baseball.  Rangers fans should be on the edge of their seats this week, it could quite possibly be the most important week in Rangers history.