These last two days not a lot has happened outside of the actual games and that is the way it is supposed to be. The Rangers lost 8-2 on Wednesday and they won yesterday 8-4. Alexi Ogando was the winning pitcher as he went 3 innings, giving up 5 hits, striking out 1, and giving up 1 unearned run. He was better yesterday than he was his first time out. Jurickson Profar provided most of the offense with a 6th inning Grand Slam, that you can see above. Prince Fielder also continued his hot start with a run scoring single and a double. Feliz was also better and showed increased velocity as he was able to get his 2 seam fastball up to 93 mph in his 1 inning of work. In non game news the Ian Kinsler stuff has died down and the focus has shifted back to the internal competitions going on in camp. Those competitions include the 5th starter spot, utility infielder, and 4th outfielder. Lets update you on those competitions as we are now 3 1/2 weeks away from the start of the season.

Tommy Hanson pitched on Wednesday against the Rockies. He pitched his three innings and gave up 2 runs. If you looked at the line score you would say that he did alright. In the first inning when he gave up those two runs he gave a home run, triple, and a double. He was leaving his pitches up in the zone and the Rockies were making him pay. Hanson then though settled down and proceeded to strike out the next two hitters to get out of the first inning without any more damage. Hanson then pitched the 2nd and 3rd without giving up a run. So, it wasn’t a great start, but it did show some veteran moxie in not caving in completely after that bad start. Good starters are able to do that and I am sure he impressed the Rangers with how he was able to gain control of the game after that start. The Rangers did go on to lose 8-2 in that game, but a lot of that was Neal Cotts giving up 6 runs in his 1 inning. I am not too concerned about that though, we saw enough of Cotts last year to know that he will be fine once the season starts.

In the utility infield competition Brent Lillibridge is actually drawing some praise from the team and media covering camp. He is 5-10 so far with a home run and 3 rbi’s, and he has Washington singing his praises about his defense, “So far, I see great improvement in his defense, and I think his defense is improving because he’s been working. I don’t think he’s shocked by anything.”.Lillibridge is a veteran who has been on multiple teams and has played every position but pitcher and catcher. He is in competition with Roughned Odor,Adam Rosales, Andy Parrino, and Luis Sardinas for the utility infield position and so far in camp he has performed the best at the plate. If he keeps performing like this he will win the spot.

In the 4th outfield spot Michael Choice just keeps hitting. He went 2-4 yesterday in a 8-2 win against the San Diego Padres. He upped his batting average to .375 and has 2 2b’s and a home run. Engel Beltre is not too far behind, but Choice just keeps doing his thing. It could come down to the Rangers bringing both to Arlington and allowing Alex Rios to take his time and get healthy at the start of the season. That would allow them to play both and determine in April who to keep with the team. The Rangers don’t want to lose E. Beltre after working with him all this time, but Choice has been so good that you want him on the team. It will be a difficult decision for Jon Daniels and Ron Washington I am sure.

Today, Martin Perez goes in his second start of the Spring. Perez is just trying to get ready as he is guaranteed a spot in the Rangers rotation. This game will be broadcast on MLB.tv and on tape delay on MLB Network at 4:05. I love being able to watch Rangers Spring Training game, because even though the product is subpar and there is no stakes in the game, it does serve as a reminder that we are getting closer and closer to opening day.

Countdown to Opening Day: 24 Days