Tearing it Up
DINGER TIME ... With 29 homers in its last 15 games and a major-league leading 200 overall, Texas is likely to break the 1999 club record of 230; unfortunately, 130 have been solo shots. Rafael Palmeiro is poised to join Jimmie Foxx, Babe Ruth and Sammy Sosa as the only players to have seven straight season of at least 35 HR and 100 RBI. Alex Rodriguez, tied for the AL lead with 11 homers in August, became only the ninth player ever with 40 or more homers in four straight seasons. Former Ranger Sosa is on that list, too. Nice trade, W.

Slumping
RACK'EM, LAMB ... Over his last 49 games, 3B Mike Lamb is hitting .347, and has seen his overall average double from .161 to .321 -- but his glove work has been regressing, and Randy Velarde should see more time at the hot corner as the season concludes. Chad Curtis, who started the season on fire, is hitless in last 11 AB and just five-for31 since being activated from the DL on August 9. Ruben Sierra, who helped many fantasy owners with an unconscious June and July streak is hitting just .228/2/8 since his own return from the DL on August 11.

At the Plate
RAFFY OWNERS BEWARE ... Texas is set to recall one of the organization's top prospects, 1B Carlos Pena, and he will certainly take away some of Palmeiro's remaining potential at-bats ... OF Craig Monroe will return, but will probably be joined by only one other OF -- either Chris Magruder, acquired in the Andres Galarraga deal, or opening day CF Bo Porter ... C Marcus Jensen, who saw time with Boston this summer, may also get the call ... Top prospect 3B Hank Blalock will not be added, as the Rangers don't want to have him on the 40-man roster heading into the offseason.

Probable Starters Aug. 30, Myette @ MIN (Mays) Aug. 31, Helling @ KC (Wilson) Sep. 1, Davis @ KC (Byrd) Sep. 2, Oliver @ KC (George) Sep. 3, Bell vs. MIN (Milton)

From the Rubber
DEPTH ... Texas will apparently recall three pitchers: AA Tulsa RHP Justin Duchschurer and AAA Oklahoma RHP Joaquin Benoit, both of whom have made an emergency start for the Rangers this summer, and RHP R.A. Dickey, who has been starting at AAA but worked out of the Ranger bullpen earlier this season. It doesn't look like Ryan Glynn, who opened the year in the Ranger rotation, will get another look this year. If Texas is smart, Duchschurer -- who looked terrific against Boston -- will step into the rotation for Rob Bell, whose ERA has skyrocketed to 7.78.

On the Mend
STILL WORTH IT ... Just accept the fact that Pudge Rodriguez four days a week and available to pinch-hit the rest of the time is still the best fantasy C option in the AL. According to The Dallas Morning News, the Rangers will be closely monitoring the health of Rodriguez for the remainder of the season as the future Hall-of-Famer battles patella tendinitis. The potential call-up of Jensen is one precaution; as mentioned last week, veteran backstop Bill Haselman will also be given more chances to handle Bell, Aaron Myette and other young pitchers.