Evan Grant Column (Shortened)

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Ron Washington envisions the Rangers winning baseball games exactly in the fashion their season-opener unfolded Monday night.

Only right now, the Los Angeles Angels are better at it than the Rangers.

Washington's formula for winning baseball is nothing new or earth-shattering. It is not predicated on complex statistical analysis or out-managing his opponent. It is all about having starting pitchers give the club innings, an offense that can grind out runs (even if it gives away opportunities for bigger innings) and a bullpen that can hold a slim lead.

That is just how the Angels beat the Rangers Monday, 4-1. It's just how the Angels have reached the playoffs three times in the last five seasons. It's just how LA remains the only team from the AL West to reach the World Series since the division took on its current alignment in 1994.

On Monday, the Angels turned a first-inning walk into a run. In the fourth inning, they turned a single by catcher Mike Napoli, the No. 8 hitter, into a run. And in the eighth, they tacked on an important fourth run.

Starter John Lackey, on the ropes in almost every inning, somehow got through five innings allowing only a run on an Ian Kinsler homer. The bullpen, the AL's best over the last five years, retired the last 11 batters in order.

The Angels are an example – and a good one – that the style Washington favors can be successful. Los Angeles gets solid starting pitching, exemplary relief work and knows how to create runs when necessary.

It's something Washington will continue to emphasize to his team.

"There were a lot of things that went just as we wanted," Washington said. "Our [starter] got us to the fifth or sixth and our bullpen was very good. We still need to try to continue to execute, but I know it will happen."

After watching Los Angeles on Monday or over the last five seasons, there should be no doubt. If the Rangers can execute Washington's style, they can compete.

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Q: I have to tell you, I have never seen the Rangers picked so wide of a spectrum so early in the season. I have seen this team picked to win as much as 95 wins and as low as 72 (that a spread of 23 games – WOW!). I know this team has a lot of "ifs", and obviously some think the Rangers can realize those ifs whereas others do not. My question is: what are the "ifs" that really matter (the ones that can make the most profound impact) in winning this division and moving on to the postseason for the first time since 1999?

Johnny Ray

GRANT: Johnny, I think you are well aware of the "ifs" that are the comeback attempts of Sammy Sosa and Eric Gagne, so no need to bore you with further details about them.

With that caveat, these are the "ifs" that will determine if the Rangers ultimately make the postseason: If Brandon McCarthy and Robinson Tejeda are legitimate big league starters at this point; if Kameron Loe proves himself vital in whichever role he ends up (setup man, long reliever or starter) and if C.J. Wilson establishes himself as the top-flight lefty he's got the potential to be.

That's four "ifs" all associated with the pitching staff. Let's put it this way: Not so long ago, there were some young infielders who were given chances to establish themselves as big-leaguers. If the four pitchers follow in the same vein as Mark Teixeira, Ian Kinsler, Michael Young and Hank Blalock, this will end up being a very good season for the Rangers.