Halfway home: Can Derek Holland return to form?
We continue our look at some of the second-half questions with the pitching staff.
Question: Can Derek Holland return to form?
Holland signed a long-term contract in spring training and after his sensational outing in Game 4 of the World Series and a consistent, solid second-half in 2011, he appeared primed to help lead the rotation in 2012. It hasn't happened. Perhaps the innings caught up to Holland. He threw 198 innings in the regular season and another 35 1/3 innings in the postseason.
This season, Holland is 5-4 with a 5.05 ERA in 13 games (12 starts). Holland was inconsistent in the first half last year, going 7-4 with a 4.68 ERA in 18 starts. Then, Holland turned it on. He went 9-1 with a 3.06 ERA in his final 14 starts and then ended his season with Game 4 in the World Series.
The Rangers need to see the 2011 second-half Holland in this second half. One plus to Holland's disabled list stint is that he should be rested. He's had one start after returning and had a quality outing. He'll start things off tonight in Seattle for the club in the second half and gets a chance to see if he can put the first half behind him and pitch like he did in 2011.
Richard Durrett
ESPNDallas.com
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Richard Durrett
Richard Durrett joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He writes about colleges, the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers. Richard spent nine years at The Dallas Morning News covering the Rangers, Stars, colleges, motorsports and high schools.
Tim MacMahon
Tim MacMahon joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. Tim covers the Cowboys and Mavericks. He has covered the local sports scene from high schools to colleges to pros during his six-year tenure at The Dallas Morning News. MacMahon is a graduate of UNT.
103.3 FM ESPN PODCASTS
Play Podcast Ron Washington joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett for his weekly visit to discuss the magnitude of Monday's win against Oakland, how he plans on using Jurickson Profar and how to handle a struggling ballclub.
Play Podcast Nolan Ryan joins Galloway & Company to discuss the Rangers' six-game losing streak and how to get out of their slump.
Play Podcast General manager Jon Daniels joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss the Rangers' offensive struggles, injuries and the plan for Jurickson Profar once Ian Kinsler returns from the disabled list.
Play Podcast Jim Bowden joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett for his weekly visit to discuss the Rangers and a potential game-changing trade target for Jon Daniels and company.
Play Podcast Neal Cotts joins Galloway & Company to discuss pitching for the Rangers.
Play Podcast Nolan Ryan joins Galloway & Company to discuss the latest Rangers news, the mistakes the team has been making and possible trades.
Play Podcast Steve Busby joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to talk about the Rangers' road trip, surviving an 18-inning game and more.
Play Podcast Eric Nadel, the radio voice of the Texas Rangers, explains on Galloway & Company the bullpen situation that forced Ron Washington's hand in the Boston finale.
UPCOMING GAMES
| W-L | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OAK | 42-30 | 22-12 | 20-18 | L1 | |
| TEX | 39-31 | 20-14 | 19-17 | W1 |
| W-L | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OAK | 42-30 | 22-12 | 20-18 | L1 | |
| TEX | 39-31 | 20-14 | 19-17 | W1 |
| W-L | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OAK | 42-30 | 22-12 | 20-18 | L1 | |
| TEX | 39-31 | 20-14 | 19-17 | W1 |
TEAM LEADERS
| WINS LEADER | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Yu Darvish
|
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| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| BA | A. Beltre | .308 | ||||||||||
| HR | N. Cruz | 18 | ||||||||||
| RBI | N. Cruz | 48 | ||||||||||
| R | A. Beltre | 40 | ||||||||||
| OPS | A. Beltre | .869 | ||||||||||
| ERA | Y. Darvish | 2.64 | ||||||||||
| SO | Y. Darvish | 127 | ||||||||||
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