ARLINGTON -- Rangers pitchers went into Wednesday's series finale against the Indians having issued 10 walks, the most in the American League. That's unacceptable to manager Jeff Banister and pitching coach Doug Brocail, even if it's only after two games.
"Lack of strikes and lack of first-pitch strikes," Brocail said. "We talk about throwing strikes every day. We've got to get better. We've got to put hitters on the defensive."
Banister had two main messages in Spring Training. One was the need to play "premium" defense. The other was to throw strikes and get ahead of hitters.