Baseball in Its Purest Form? Backfields of Rangers Spring Training

Surprise, Ariz. — The pendulum swings fiercely when illustrating the two extremes of baseball fortune.

On one end of the spectrum, there's the riveting highs, the excitement of being in a pennant chase in September and October. No other sport rewards its loyalists like baseball. Sure, patience is a virtue, but 162 games in an era of instant gratification is an eternity. That's why the payoff, if you're fortunate enough to experience it, is so rewarding.

On the other end of the spectrum, there's the struggle of lows. It's real. When your team sends strong signals in the beginning of the season that it's going to be a long one, the enthusiasm from spring turns to helplessness in summer. If this happens quickly after Opening Day, it can be burdensome and taxing.

The 5 Most Vital Rangers for a Run in 2017 Playoffs

It can be easy to overlook the recent success of the Texas Rangers. In 5 of the past 7 years, the Rangers have made the playoffs; four of those times they won the AL West. However, Texas hasn't advanced in the playoffs since 2011. And the Blue Jays have knocked them out of consecutive ALDS appearances.

What will it require to make a deep playoff run again? With Opening Day 1 day away (hallelujah!), here are my five vital Rangers most responsible for postseason success, in reverse order:

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.