Rangers Being Swept Is Embarrassing, But Only to a Point

Plano, Texas - Well, that didn't go according to script. Three games, three losses. 10-1, 5-3, 7-6 (10). Two losses in Arlington. Eliminated at the scene of last year's crime. Belittled by the team we can't stand, the team with Jose Boo-tista and his tissues, and Josh Donaldson and his rat-tail mullet.

There's no way around it, though. Toronto beat us down. Toronto shelled our supposed elite 1-2 starting pitching punch of Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish. Toronto got to Colby Lewis, too. They pounded fastballs and sliders left in the zone. No mistake was left untouched. Dreams of a deep postseason run were crushed. Again. By the same group of annoying, but immensely talented Blue Jays that knocked us out last year.

Yu Darvish Should Start Game 1 of the ALDS

It's been a ridiculously joyous 2016 regular season for Texas Rangers baseball fans. The Rangers have a shot at setting the single-season franchise record for wins (96). They have homefield advantage through the World Series, if we're fortunate enough to still be watching them in late October. They have 49 come-from-behind victories this year, tops in MLB. They are 36-8 in one-run games. Some are calling it lucky. We are calling it our 2016 identity.

I'm grateful for another year of postseason baseball. Let's not forget this is the fourth AL West title in the last seven years. General manager Jon Daniels has once again worked his magic, adding Carlos Gomez, Carlos Beltran, Jonathan Lucroy and Jeremy Jeffress in the second half - and most importantly, not subtracting clubhouse chemistry.

The Jurickson Profar Dilemma

As it relates to the title of this blog post, the word dilemma typically carries a negative connotation. Make no mistake, though, the Jurickson Profar Dilemma is not a bad problem to have.

After Rougned Odor landed the punch heard 'round the world, a seven-game suspension opened the door for 23-year-old Jurickson Profar to make an impact in the majors at second base. Once the Rangers' top prospect, Profar began the year in AAA after missing two years with shoulder problems.

In the seven games Odor missed, all Profar has done is hit .364 with a 1.000 OPS, scoring nine runs from the leadoff spot. He hit a titanic blast into the upper deck on Friday night. He's played exceptional defense. He gives the Rangers' lineup a unique boost.

Spring Training Reaction: All About Nomar Mazara

Surprise, Ariz. - It's difficult to make big-picture observations after attending one spring training game. However, I think I saw enough on Sunday to be super excited about the long-term future of 20-year old outfielder Nomar Mazara.

In a game the Rangers lost to the Mariners, 7-3, not much stood out. The Rangers trotted out their starting infield, which was nice. Adrian Beltre smashed a rope down the left-field line and was promptly pulled, as if to say, yep, you're pretty much in midseason form already. The Mariners stole six bases on Nick Tepesch and Chris Gimenez, which hurt both players' chances of making the opening day roster.

Mazara definitely stood out, though.

5 Burning Questions at Rangers Spring Training - Live in Arizona

Scottsdale, Ariz. - The last time I attended spring training was 10 years ago. It was one of the most memorable trips I've ever taken. I was a senior at the University of Kansas and three of my best friends (@bsiegel26, @neilsenratings and @bestmattwilson) and I jumped into a Ford Focus over spring break and drove 18 hours from Lawrence to Phoenix.

Can't wait to see how the Surprise spring training complex, home to my hometown Texas Rangers and now World Series Champion Kansas City Royals, has grown over the last 10 years. It was only three years old in 2006 and arguably the nicest complex out here.