For Ian Desmond, new challenges aplenty after long wait to sign

For Ian Desmond, new challenges aplenty after long wait to sign
Former Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond not only has a new team and a new league, he has a new position. At 30, Desmond signed for $8 million to play left field for the Texas Rangers. Desmond has played four games in the outfield during his career. He'll get the advantage of playing 15 home games in Texas during April. Desmond, who hit .233 last season, goes to Boston's Fenway Park to battle the Green Monster the first week in July. The Rangers' plan was to use Josh Hamilton in left field,...
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Opposite dugout: Rangers looking to close in on postseason berth

Opposite dugout: Rangers looking to close in on postseason berth
Manager: Jeff Banister (1st season) Record: 65-61 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B/DH Prince Fielder (.316/.380/.474 with 17 HR, 71 RBIs), 1B Mitch Moreland (.287/.335/.490 with 18 HR, 67 RBIs), RF Shin-Soo Choo (.248 with 15 HR, 56 RBIs), LHP Cole Hamels (1-1, 4.73 ERA), RHP Shawn Tolleson (26 saves, 2.78 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: 3-1 Pitching probables: Aug. 28: RHP Kevin Gausman vs. LHP Cole Hamels, 8:05 p.m., MASN2 Aug. 29: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez vs. LHP Martin Perez, 8:05 p.m., MASN2...
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Opposite dugout: Despite issues, Rangers have managed to contend in AL West

Opposite dugout: Despite issues, Rangers have managed to contend in AL West
Manager: Jeff Banister (1st season) Record: 38-38 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: 1B/DH Prince Fielder (.351/.418/.538 with 12 HR, 48 RBIs); 1B Mitch Moreland (.298 with 10 HR, 36 RBIs), 3B Adrian Beltre (.248 with 6 HR, 20 RBIs), 3B/OF Joey Gallo (5 HR, 10 RBIs), RHP Nick Martinez (5-4, 3.39 ERA), RHP Colby Lewis (7-3, 4.10 ERA), RHP Shawn Tolleson (10 saves, 2.48 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (1-6 in 2014) Pitching probables: June 29: LHP Wandy Rodriguez vs. RHP Bud Norris,...
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Opposite dugout: Struggling Rangers send Darvish to hill in series vs. O's

Opposite dugout: Struggling Rangers send Darvish to hill in series vs. O's
Manager: Ron Washington, eighth year Record: 37-44 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: 3B Adrian Beltre (.332/.376/.508, 18 doubles, 9 HR, 42 RBIs); RF Alex Rios (.304/.336/.438, 27 XBH, 34 RBIs, 13 SB); RHP Yu Darvish (8-4, 2.42 ERA, 1.18 WHIP); RHP Nick Tepesch (3-3, 3.65 ERA) Season series vs. O's: 1-2, 16 runs scored, 20 runs allowed Pitching probables June 30: Joe Saunders vs. Ubaldo Jimenez, 7 p.m., MASN HD July 1: Nick Martinez vs. TBD, 7 p.m., MASN HD July 2: Nick Tepesch vs. Chris...
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Opposite dugout: Rangers, O's set for series of reunions in Texas

Opposite dugout: Rangers, O's set for series of reunions in Texas
Manager: Ron Washington, eighth year Record: 29-28 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: LF Shin-Soo Choo (.289/.414/.456, 6 HR, 18 RBIs); RF Alex Rios (.320/.352/.473, 22 XBH, 29 RBIs, 11 SB); 3B Adrian Beltre (.291/.354/.442, 5 HR, 20 RBIs); RHP Nick Martinez (1-1, 2.75 ERA) Season series vs. O's (2013): 2-5, 25 runs scored, 32 runs allowed Pitching probables June 3: Joe Saunders vs. Ubaldo Jimenez, 8 p.m., MASN2 HD June 4: Nick Martinez vs. Bud Norris, 8 p.m., MASN2 HD June 5: Colby Lewis vs....
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Opposite dugout: Injury-depleted Rangers still finding ways to win

Opposite dugout: Injury-depleted Rangers still finding ways to win
Manager: Ron Washington, eighth year Record: 28-26 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: LF Shin-Soo Choo (.297/.423/.465, 6 HR, 18 RBIs); RF Alex Rios (.325/.356/.486, 22 XBH, 29 RBIs, 10 SB); RHP Yu Darvish (4-2, 2.35 ERA, 1.11 WHIP); RHP Nick Tepesch (2-0, 2.95 ERA, 1.04 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats (2013): Did not play Pitching probables May 30: Colby Lewis vs. Stephen Strasburg, 7 p.m., MASN HD May 31: Nick Tepesch vs. Doug Fister, 12 p.m., MASN HD June 1: Yu Darvish vs. Tanner Roark, 1:30...
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A closer look at tonight's opponent with a Texas Rangers beat writer

A closer look at tonight's opponent with a Texas Rangers beat writer
Here is something to consider about tonight's game. Some are wondering about the Orioles' lack of playoff experience coupled with the fact that Texas has plenty of it. The Rangers are 18-15 in playoff games the last two seasons. But heading into October 2010, Texas was the only major league franchise to never have won a playoff series and it won the AL championship that year. Gerry Fraley covers the Rangers for the Dallas Morning News. We all know the Rangers struggled down the stretch,...
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Could Tyler Moore be Nationals' version of Rangers' Mitch Moreland?

Could Tyler Moore be Nationals' version of Rangers' Mitch Moreland?
Watching Game 5 of the World Series on Monday and seeing Texas Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland crank a crucial solo home run, it reminded me of a conversation I had with Baseball America national writer Aaron Fitt comparing the Rangers' young player with the Washington Nationals' Tyler Moore. There are similarities between the two sluggers, except for what side of the batter's box they step in to. One hits lefty (Moreland) and the other is a righty (Moore), but both played college ball...
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