The Texas Rangers are as dangerous as ever offensively, leading the majors by scoring 5.53 runs per game going into Sunday’s action. Not much is different on the pitching side, either, as the Rangers continue to struggle assembling a major league starting rotation.

Texas starters have the second-highest team ERA at 5.52. Most of the organization’s top pitching prospects haven’t panned out, and youngsters Edinson Volquez and John Danks have blossomed elsewhere. There wasn't a payoff in sending Danks and Nick Masset to Chicago for Brandon McCarthy.

The best Texas starter in 2008, the abrasive Sidney Ponson, was cut loose in early June after going 4-1 with a 3.88 ERA in nine starts. Among the starting five, the next-lowest ERAs belong to Scott Feldman and Kason Gabbard, both with 4.82 marks. Vicente Padilla has used the run support to go 12-6, though with a 4.85 ERA.

The struggles of the starters have put a lot of pressure on the bullpen, which has been the busiest in the majors. Texas relievers have worked 429.2 innings, easily the most among all teams; they also lead the way by averaging the most innings per game.

Most Innings Pitched by Bullpens, 2008

Team. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IP. . . . . . . . . . . . . .IP/G
Texas Rangers. . . . . . . . . . . . .429.2. . . . . . . . . . . . .3.74
Pittsburgh Pirates. . . . . . . . . . 411.1. . . . . . . . . . . . .3.61
Florida Marlins. . . . . . . . . . . . .397.1. . . . . . . . . . . . .3.43
Cincinnati Reds. . . . . . . . . . . .394.2. . . . . . . . . . . . .3.34
San Diego Padres. . . . . . . . . . .388.2. . . . . . . . . . . . .3.38

By averaging 3.74 innings per game -- more than three and two-thirds innings -- the Texas pen has been forced to record, on average, 11 outs a game.

Though no longer “Everyday Eddie,” Eddie Guardado and bullpen mate Frank Francisco have been solid contributors in the Texas pen. Still, the heavy usage takes its toll, and the Rangers’ 5.01 bullpen ERA is the second-highest in the majors. Only the disappointing Cleveland Indians have a higher mark (5.23).

Texas is two games over .500 through 118 games -- not bad for a club that hasn’t finished above .500 in any of the three previous seasons.

Whether the Rangers take their game to the next level in the next two or three years may be decided by how they develop their next generation of pitching prospects. The likes of Neftali Feliz, Eric Hurley, Blake Beavan Michael Main, Omar Poveda and Matt Harrison are critical to the team’s future.