This Texas Rangers season was always about the future, no matter what amount of off-season sunshine was cast on their chances to contend, but officially became so last month.
Example: Were it not, Carlos Tocci wouldn’t have been their starting center fielder Friday night.
But he was, as Delino DeShields received an extra day off to make sure his brain wasn’t scrambled after a tumble Wednesday night. The 25-man roster included four other rookies and 11 players 25 years old or younger.
The Rangers’ three starting pitchers this weekend, each left-handed, are also key players for future seasons.