SEATTLE - For about 10 minutes Monday, Rangers manager Chris Woodward acknowledged a theory.
Yes, he said, it is entirely possible that a part of the offense's recent, but dramatic, slump could be due in part to burnout - or at least fatigue - from the number of meetings the team has held this year to game-plan for the night's opposing pitcher.
Then he excused himself.
He had to get to the hitters' meeting to prepare for the night's opposing pitcher.
The message: The Rangers are asking a lot out from their hitters this year and there may be some temporary sacrifices along the way, but they are going to continue to be nudged, if not outright pushed.