Why the Rangers Are Worth Watching in 2007

Baseball doesn't get much better than a good ol' fashioned pitching duel ... assuming, of course, that you can stay awake to watch it. Let's get serious: there's a reason players willingly stick themselves with needles full of synthetic chemicals that arrive in unmarked packages on their doorsteps from parts unknown -- fans love watching players smack the stitching off the ball, plain and simple. And getting runners across home plate is something the Rangers specialize in -- whether they're hitting or pitching.

The Rangers have ranked among the AL's top five offenses each of the last six years, and there's no reason to think that streak will end in 2007. Mark Teixeira, Ian Kinsler, Michael Young and Hank Blalock form one of the most potent infields in the entire game, and of those four only Young is older than 26. How high is the ceiling? Teixeira hit 33 home runs with 110 RBI last year and it was considered a down year.

But while the young core powers the heart of the lineup, nostalgic fans will enjoy seeing the ageless Kenny Lofton hitting leadoff. Can he hit .300 at 40 years old? Sammy Sosa is also trying to earn a roster spot. Did a year away from the game rejuvenate his swing or weigh it down with rust? Tune in to see.

Working under the hot Texas sun, Rangers starting pitchers are judged by a different criteria than most guys around the league. Here, an ERA south of 4.50 is incredible accomplishment, and a guy who can tough it out for 200 innings or more is doing the overworked bullpen a huge favor. That said, the relief corps did get deeper this year after adding the oft-injured Eric Gagne to a mix that already featured the outstanding Akinori Otsuka. Can Gagne regain his status as one of the best closers the game has ever seen? Heck, can he even make it through a full season without three trips to the DL? You'll have to watch to find out.