Monday a.m. things

by Adam J. Morris on Apr 28, 2008 9:48 AM CDT

A 10-0 win that was about as crisply played as a game can be (at least, by the winners) does a lot to help you take a step back from the precipice. We'll see what happens today, as far as puffs of smoke from TBIA vis-a-vis the future of Ron Washington, but yesterday's performance certainly helped remove the sour taste of Saturday's fiasco.

Vicente Padilla is...how does the saying go? A riddle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a tortilla, or something like that? Whatever the saying is, the good Padilla showed up yesterday, and Evan Grant says that was due in no small part to Gerald Laird and the staff making Padilla stick with the plan of throwing fastballs, rather than breaking pitches, early in the game. Padilla now has a 3.79 ERA on the season...I can live with that...

Hank Blalock is getting an MRI to determine the extent of the damage to his hamstring. Grant says the Rangers are holding off making a roster move with Blalock in no small part because there isn't much 40 man flexibility right now. Given that Joaquin Arias still isn't back to 100% with his throwing, the Rangers would probably have to call up Brandon Boggs if Blalock goes to the d.l., with Boggs basically taking Marlon Byrd's role on the team, and German Duran playing third base semi-regularly, rather than being a utility guy/part-time outfielder.

In other injury news, Kason Gabbard is supposed to throw a bullpen on Wednesday and, if that goes well, make a rehab start on Saturday for Frisco, putting him on track to return on May 8.

Grant also mentions in the same piece that the Rangers may start taking regular infield practice before games.

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Cmon Nolan

You know what to do. Time to take old yeller out back and put him down.

by SaltyGoesYard on Apr 28, 2008 9:55 AM CDT 0 recs

I would have thought....

that regular infield practice was a routine pre-game thing…..

That might explain things some….

by Captain Fubar on Apr 28, 2008 9:59 AM CDT 0 recs

It used to be

I don’t think there are any MLB teams that regularly take infield practice now.

by badradiorules on Apr 28, 2008 10:18 AM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah, no teams do it anymore

I don’t know why. There was an article I posted about it during last year’s similar start to the season.

I think they should take infield. What could it hurt? And if the players are unhappy about it, there’s something seriously wrong with them. You have to think they’re embarrassed as hell and would gladly do it, though, at least until they started playing better defense.

by Black Francis on Apr 28, 2008 11:17 AM CDT up 0 recs

+1

A Lonestar in California - 2.0

by lonestarJon on Apr 28, 2008 5:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

Infield Practice

According to Hardball Times, the Rangers have 14 throwing errors to 12 fielding errors. There is no other team with double digit errors in both categories, and only four other teams with 10+ errors in either category. Their INF Revised Zone Rating (RZR) is .778, while the AL average is .785. The Rangers also lead the AL in unearned runs (22), which is no doubt related to the high error total. It is about time that something is being done to address this issue.

by Excel Hearts Choi on Apr 28, 2008 10:04 AM CDT 0 recs

Wow, I never would have thunk

14 throwing errors in 26 games was possible, unless you had Mike Lamb and Chuck Knoblauch on your team.

"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck

by DJCahill on Apr 28, 2008 10:08 AM CDT up 0 recs

Winning 10-0

Its the perfect time for a change. Coming off a solid win, we bring in the new manager and say “The season starts over on tuesday, get ready.”

The young kids are told that this is going to be their manager of the future. Then utter domination takes place.

We make the playoffs. Ok that last one was a little too miles-esque, but I can let it slide.

by SaltyGoesYard on Apr 28, 2008 10:09 AM CDT 0 recs

+1

A Lonestar in California - 2.0

by lonestarJon on Apr 28, 2008 5:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

It is a riddle wrapped around a puzzle inside an enigma

With conundrums surrounding on all sides…

"For the record, I did not and do not like the Volquez trade, even though Hamilton is awesome and our best player and I think he’s going to be one of the best players in baseball." philikid3

by Brian Thomas on Apr 28, 2008 10:30 AM CDT 0 recs

Padilla is the best example since

Bobby Witt.

"Sex is not a crime. It's a loving act between two or more consenting adults." - Hank Kingsley

by EssBee on Apr 28, 2008 10:51 AM CDT up 0 recs

Seems like the players want to continue to play for Wash.

by rooster on Apr 28, 2008 11:41 AM CDT 0 recs

Hard to say,

judging from a single game. Maybe Livan Hernandez just sucks and we shelled him. Unless they come out and say it, I wouldn’t take this performance as indicating the players want to keep Wash.

by Jack Nicholson 1974 on Apr 28, 2008 11:47 AM CDT up 0 recs

+ 1

The "Electrician" was born 7/16/07 11:53 PM EDT

http://www.lonestarball.com/2007/7/16/213154/893

by LAMuscleFag on Apr 28, 2008 11:49 AM CDT up 0 recs

I'll ask Evan Grant for his next mailbag.

I seem to recall some comments by at least one of the players about how the blame shouldn’t be on Wash.

by rooster on Apr 28, 2008 11:58 AM CDT up 0 recs

infield play

It’s not shocking that the team can’t field. We’ve got a second baseman playing short, a first baseman playing third, an outfielder playing second, and two DH’s sharing time at first. Not one of these guys has above average range so pray for the youngsters.

I do still vote that Wash and JD must go.

by nillumcm on Apr 28, 2008 11:58 AM CDT 0 recs

First baseman playing third and outfielder at second?

That’s a bit of an exaggeration.

True at SS and 1B, though.

by rooster on Apr 28, 2008 12:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

I thought somebody recently posted a stat

saying that Kinsler had the best range among AL 2B?

As far as the others, agree.

"I hope it's a special dumb person hell so that I don’t have to meet up with you after I die."

- The D-tron

by Chase Irwin on Apr 28, 2008 12:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

Kinsler seems to

make the spectacular play and then completely muff the routine play. The problem is how do you get someone to concentrate more?

Danks, Volquez, Galarraga and Young are GONE! GET OVER IT! Endless whining will not bring them back!

by LBBRangerFan on Apr 28, 2008 1:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

UP the ritalin intake!

The "Electrician" was born 7/16/07 11:53 PM EDT

http://www.lonestarball.com/2007/7/16/213154/893

by LAMuscleFag on Apr 28, 2008 1:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

RZR

Using RZR, Kinsler is the 12th best 2B in the AL. There were 86 Balls in Zone for Kinsler (by far the most in the AL), and he made 67 plays. He also made 6 plays on balls out of his zone. He also has the most errors with 5 (2 throwing and 3 fielding). He has also started and turned the most double plays in the AL.

by Excel Hearts Choi on Apr 28, 2008 1:42 PM CDT up 0 recs