The Rangers run head first into the World Baseball Classic, playing Team Venezuela tomorrow, with Chi Chi Gonzalez starting.

With the uncertainty of the four and five slots in the rotation, Gonzalez is pitching for a major league roster spot. He is the quintessential Quadruple-A player. Great at Triple-A, not good enough for the major leagues.

But since the Rangers lack pitching depth, Gonzalez has a legitimate shot to make the opening day roster, which is something he has shown in the past he is not qualified for.

Such is the sorry state of the Rangers rotation.

Gonzalez had a flash of brilliance when he first came up. His second-ever start he had a complete game, three-hit shutout against the eventual World Series champion Kansas City Royals. After four starts his ERA was a shimmering 0.90.

The reality set in. Major league hitters did what major league hitters do, they made adjustments. It seems he didn’t have an out pitch.

After winning his first two decisions, he lost five in a row, and ended the season in the bullpen. And wasn’t on the post-season roster.

He never found that initial success again. Now his is pitching for his future. On a team that is so staring pitching poor, he just might back into it.

Such is the sorry state of the Rangers rotation.

*****

The first annual RR3 night at the Ballpark is a reality.

Saturday, June 3, 6:15 against the Houston Astros. Tickets are $40 each, in the Cholula All You Can Eat section: Section 248, Rows 22, 23, 24, 25. So the ticket price includes food and soft drinks. Twenty total tickets are available.

Please email me at kevinsutton62659@sbcglobal.net if you are interested.

Looking forward to a great night of Rangers baseball with the best fans on the internet.