What does the Rangers' play from June 13 on mean? Is there a reasonable expectation that they will be at least a .500 team next year? Or is this sort of a mirage, piling up wins against teams that have checked out for the season?
-- David S., Granby, Mass.

The Rangers have shown they are capable of playing winning baseball and they have beaten some pretty good teams. They have won five of their last nine against the Angels. They took two of three from the Indians in Cleveland right at the trade deadline.

The caveat is they have been playing without any pressure since the middle of May and it's interesting that they started to stumble right as they had a chance to move into third place. One question that won't be answered this season is how this group of players will perform in the heat of a real pennant race.

There's no reason to feel they can't handle it but it is an unknown and the lack of any serious pressure could have been a contributing factor to their post June 13 success.

You have stated your prediction as to the Rangers rotation next year. My question is, do you honestly feel that rotation is one that the Rangers can win the division with?
-- Jeff P., Pottsboro, Texas

The Red Sox, Angels and Indians are all likely to get at least 70 wins out of their starting pitchers. Let's say the Rangers need 65 victories from their starters next year. They have to get at least 16 each from Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla. That's a must.

That's 32. That means the Rangers need 33 victories from the other three spots, which will likely be taken up by Brandon McCarthy, Edinson Volquez and Kason Gabbard. Obviously, injuries will be a factor as well.

But that's the question that needs to be addressed: Are Millwood and Padilla good for 16 wins each and are the other three worth 11 wins each?

Is it just a coincidence that the Rangers waited until Mark Teixeira went on the disabled list to begin playing better baseball? And, is it a coincidence that they began chalking up a lot more wins after he was traded? Could Tex have been causing some dissention on the team? If so, was this a deciding factor in trading him?
-- Ken I., Seattle

The Rangers traded Teixeira because they knew they weren't going to sign him beyond 2008 and they got what they feel is the right package in return. It is odd that they have been much better without him in the lineup this year, but they better find someone like him if they expect to compete for a division title. Teixeira was obviously unhappy in Texas this season but certainly wasn't a disruptive force.

As I watch Hank Blalock at bat, it always seems to me that he is swinging up to make contact with the ball. In his case, it seems to make him pop a lot of balls to the infield, although occasionally he gets a base hit or a home run. Are they working on this or are they leaving it alone?
-- Jack G., Choctaw, Okla.

The pitcher is standing on a mound that's 10 inches high and throwing on a downward plane. As Ted Williams explained in his book, "The Science of Hitting," a batter has to swing upward to meet the ball squarely. Hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo just wants Blalock to be more compact and controlled with his swing and use the entire field instead of being a notorious pull hitter.

Have a question about the Rangers? E-mail your query to MLB.com Rangers beat reporter T.R. Sullivan for possible inclusion in a future Inbox column. Letters may be edited for brevity, length and/or content. First Name, Last Initial: Hometown: Email Address: Question:

What do you see the Rangers doing with Ramon Vazquez? Do you think the Rangers will keep him in the big leagues?
-- Sam H. Wylie, Texas

Vazquez has had an excellent season for the Rangers and goes into next season as their utility infielder. A left-handed-hitting utility infielder is a valuable commodity.

I like Michael Young, I really do. He's a consummate pro in every way possible ... but the guy is a defensive liability at shortstop. And, his power is virtually non-existent. At what point do the Rangers look at a position change for him? Where would they even consider moving him, back to 2B? Or maybe the outfield?
-- Paul C., Trenton, Texas

There are 24 shortstops in the Major Leagues who have played in at least 103 games. Young ranks 10th among them in both fielding percentage and range factor, which is putouts and assists per nine innings. He is not Omar Vizquel, but if the Cardinals can win with David Eckstein at short, then the Rangers can win with Young. They have far too many other needs to mess with that right now.

Which center fielder would be more likely to be a Ranger next year. Also, is upper management willing to pay some big bucks for an Andruw Jones or Torii Hunter?
-- Oscar L., Waco, Texas

The Rangers don't seem overly eager to go after Jones but will have some serious discussions this winter about Hunter, who is looking for five years and $75 million. Remember, they gave Young five years and $85 million this offseason to keep him in Texas until at least 2013. Hunter is just one year older than Young.

Jamey Wright has performed very well in his new role as a reliever. Are there any plans from the Rangers organization to include him on the roster next year?
-- Allen M., Phoenix

The Rangers will consider the possibility, although Wright, who is a free agent, may look for a team that will give him another chance as a starter.

I wanted to see your take on David Murphy. I know it's a little dose, but he could be the steal of the Rangers trades. He looks like our left fielder next season and I see him hitting second.
-- Nathan J., Prosper, Texas

Murphy and Marlon Byrd are both keepers, two guys who have earned an opportunity to play regularly. The Rangers still need to find an outfielder or a first baseman who can deliver some serious run production.

What's your view on a Ben Broussard or a Matt Stairs playing first next year? They are both line drive hitters who can hit a ball in the gap consistently and drill some home runs.
-- Drew T., Plano, Texas

Stairs has had a good season, but both those guys don't appear too much of an upgrade over Brad Wilkerson. Plus Wilkerson can play the outfield and can hit left-handed pitching.

Is there an address one could send a letter to a Rangers player?
-- Jerry M. Bessemer City, N.C.

Send it in care of the Rangers, 1000 Ballpark Way, Arlington, Texas, 76011. They all get fan mail and most of them go through it as much as possible. If you're requesting an autograph, include a self-addressed stamped envelope.