he’s been effective in his relief outings. I’m kinda excited to see what he does tonite.

Who is supposed to be the better defender in center, Murph or Byrd? Based on what I’ve seen from Murphy defensively this year, I think I’d rather have him in CF and Byrd in LF.

put in Hank now and Chris Davis down the line at 1B, buy a DH and move Milton to RF and Hamilton to CF and you’ve got the perfect lineup in my mind…for a few years anyways, until Andrus and others push the point

is that
it’s his first career start. he’s pitched well in 3 relief outings.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/baseball/rangers/stories/052008dnsporangreport.c434ee6.html
RHP Doug Mathis (1-0, 0.00 ERA): After two scoreless relief innings, Mathis will make his first career start. Mathis was 5-0 with a 3.55 ERA at Triple-A Oklahoma before his call-up last week. His minor league splits ranged widely. He held right-handed hitters to a .161 batting average, but lefties hit .349. Mathis will become the ninth different Ranger to make a start this season. Each of the other AL West teams has used seven. Mathis has not faced the Twins.

17) Doug Mathis—24 YO RHP (2005 13th Round)

The Rangers have tried to fast-track the 6’3” sinkerball specialist more than any other pitcher who has come into the fold in the past three years. Coming out of the University of Missouri, Mathis was sent to the college-dominated NWL, but in 2006 he jumped Clinton and went straight to Bakersfield. Perhaps the biggest shocker among 2007 opening day assignments was the appearance of Mathis on the Oklahoma roster. Clearly, the Rangers want to get to the point on Mathis as soon as possible.

In part, most likely, Mathis is being pushed so fast because he is an extremely bright and mature young man with tremendous poise and strong leadership skills. He pitches with a plan and doesn’t rattle. Which is not to say that Mathis was not or is not a guy capable of change or improvement. Mathis has gained velocity since joining the system and he’s added a curveball which gives him four legit offerings. Though he lacks the electric stuff of a lot of pitchers on this list, he’s arguably the most complete, well-rounded guy in the system.

His early assignment to OKC didn’t go very well and his season was marred by back problems that ultimately shut him down for a spell in the middle of the season, but his first eight and especially his last six starts with the Riders (2.29 ERA; 33 K’s and 8 BBs in 39 IP; .217 opponents average) were enough to leave you thinking that this is a guy who could creep into the back end of the Rangers rotation at some point in 2008.

Link

maybe not, but it’s still fun to watch them wiggle a little bit…except Matsui, gotta love that guy

Jeter had the error

I wonder what they’d give up for Millwood or Padilla? They clearly need some starting pitching, and they don’t strike me as a team that wants to wait for their young guys too long. I’d be pretty happy if we could spin Padilla to them for Ian Kennedy, one of their good position prospects and maybe a throw in or two.

But I bet they’ll sign Teixeira this offseason, maybe even CC Sabathia, and be back in the hunt next year.

before the 5th though.

Just great.

Do you have a link to the actual quote, Shroom?

It can’t be any worse than an Angels broadcast.

Perkins has had some pretty bad command problems over the last year or so.

Not sure how that ended up a hit…that was a clear error…

DUH.

Sorry. Couldn’t help myself.

Oh, wait…

He had a good night offensively last night, and he needs more at bats. He has also worked with Mathis in AAA this year.

The question is not why is he starting, but why wouldn’t he start.