Texas Rangers

Nelson Cruz burst into the mainstream last night with his performance in the Home Run Derby. After a great first round that saw him belt 11 home runs, Cruz muscled his way into the finals against Prince Fielder before falling short.

In all, Cruz finished with 22 home runs, most of which went deep into the St. Louis night. He's known to have "light tower power," and he certainly lived up to that scouting report last night.

Fresh off a sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays to finish off a successful homestand, the Texas Rangers took to the road to close out a memorable first half. Tied with the Angels and looking at Seattle closing in on them, the Rangers needed to have a good road trip.

Major League Baseball announced Sunday that Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia has withdrawn from Tuesday's All-Star Game to be with his wife, who is in the hospital.

This gave American League manager Joe Maddon of the Tampa Bay Rays the opportunity to right an egregious wrong.

Maddon was given a free pass to add Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler to the All-Star Game.

In fact, adding Kinsler seemed liked the most logical option as well. Replace a second baseman with a second baseman, it just makes good sense.

The Texas Rangers came into the series hosting the Angels at the end of a terrible June.  For the month, Texas had a losing record, the worst hitting, and worst on-base percentage.  And worst of all they had lost their lead over the Angels.

Down 1.5 games to the Angels, and the Mariners only 2.5 behind Texas, the Rangers needed a big showing against the defending AL West champ Angels and defending AL champ Rays.

Monday: L, 2-5 (40-35)

All star snubs Kevin Millwood and Jared Weaver, will face off in a crucial division matchup in Los Angeles tonight.  Millwood of the Texas Rangers, and Weaver of the Los Angeles Dodgers, will face off for the second time this season, the Rangers winning the first meeting 9-7 on July 1st. 

Entering the holiday weekend, the Rays came in as one of the hottest teams in baseball. When it was over, the Texas Rangers were in first place and the Rays fell further behind in both the AL East Divisional race and the AL wildcard chase.

Texas swept Tampa Bay by silencing the red hot bats of the Rays, and taking advantage of uncharacteristic defensive lapses in their three game sweep.

Entering the holiday weekend, the Rays came in as one of the hottest teams in baseball.

When it was over, the Texas Rangers were in first place, and the Rays fell further behind in both the AL East divisional race and the AL wildcard chase.

Texas swept Tampa Bay by silencing the red-hot bats of the Rays and taking advantage of uncharacteristic defensive lapses in their three-game sweep.

While the Texas Rangers were regaining the top spot in the American League West, Rays manager Joe Madden wasn't paying much attention. Ian Kinsler, Marlon Byrd, Nelson Cruz, Kevin Millwood, and Elvis Andrus are a big part of why the Rangers are in first place. None of the five players made the All-Star team in 2009.

Every season at this time, baseball fans everywhere are frustrated with the All-Star selections. This is an annual part of the season that never changes, but snubbing Kevin Millwood is inexcusable.

Pitching in a stadium that doubles as a launching pad and an oven, Millwood has been more than good in the first half. He’s been dominating for a team that isn’t exactly used to dominating pitchers.

Now that July is upon us, the baseball world will begin focusing on the impending trade deadline at the end of the month. I think it's safe to say that the Texas Rangers can be lumped into the category of "Buyers".

Currently sitting a half game out of first in the West, the rest of the season is sure to be a battle with the Angels. So what pieces will be added—and which will be lost—to give the Rangers that extra advantage?