Sunday morning stuff

by Adam J. Morris on May 4, 2008 9:27 AM CDT

A 4 game winning streak. And as Evan Grant points out, the Rangers have had 11 series so far this season, and have won 6 of them. So why don't they have a winning record? 4 of the 5 series they've lost, they've been swept...

Ramon Vazquez gets some love from Grant in his game story, with the Rangers being 52-44 when Ramon Vazquez starts for them. I would put that in the category of coincidence, although Michael Young is quoted praising Vazquez as one of the smartest players he's been around.

Jeff Wilson's game story in the S-T focuses on Milton Bradley's first inning at bat, which set up David Murphy's three run homer. Bradley worked a 9 pitch, two out walk after getting down in the count 0-2.

There are some notes up in the DMN about playing time, as well...Frank Catalanotto has only played once in the last six games, and will be sitting quite a bit going forward with the Rangers facing several lefties. Cat apparently met with Ron Washington about the situation, and understands the Rangers want to get a look at Brandon Boggs, which eats into his playing time.

Washington also is planning to alternate Gerald Laird and Jarrod Saltalamacchia by giving them each two consecutive starts, although Kevin Millwood is going to have Laird catch all his games, and Washington wants to keep Sidney Ponson and Salty paired, so we could see some variations there.

Kason Gabbard had a solid rehab start for Frisco, and he's expected to be activated and get the start on Thursday. My guess is that A.J. Murray gets sent down today, and a reliever gets called up for the next few days, until Gabbard is activated.

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Good stuff on the backstop playing

time. I wondered why Salty didn’t catch him in Ponson’s first start.

by corbsclinton on May 4, 2008 10:05 AM CDT reply actions

I wouldlike to see

Laird catch Milwood and Padilla. Jarrod can catch eveyone else. Some adjustments may need to be made for days games, etc.

Brandon Boggs 2008 Texas Rangers ROY

by RangerMad on May 4, 2008 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions

Rangers

have only allowed 4 earned runs in last 3 games….nice!

Please forgive any and all typos, mispellings, etc.
Your kindess in this matter is appreciated.

by red shoe ranger on May 4, 2008 10:08 AM CDT reply actions

And 3 unearned

Not so nice.

brettgardner's mom is a stupid bitch.

by LSBUser on May 4, 2008 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions

The back of the bullpen

is well rested. Rupe hasn’t pitched since April 22nd and German since the 26th. Speaking of German, with Francisco up the Rangers basically have two of the same pitcher who are really shaky in high leverage situations and can’t be stretched out for more than 2 innings. What’s the point? They need to get rid of German and bring Littleton back up.

With Shelton up, I thought we’d see Salty DH some. I’m wondering if this isn’t in their plans at all or if Bradley’s recent hamstring problem is just delaying it.

by Randy Richardson on May 4, 2008 10:35 AM CDT reply actions

FX2

Why not have him in a “fireman” type of role. Frankie excels when he comes in with runners on base. He has problems when he starts an inning. If he just pitches the 1/3 or 2/3 of an inning he will be available more often for situations that he excels at.

Brandon Boggs 2008 Texas Rangers ROY

by RangerMad on May 4, 2008 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions

So that makes him the anti-German

German’s own runners never score, but he lets all the inherited runners score. So use German for a full inning and Fx2 as the fireman… so, say, with a six-man bullpen, you have Rupe for long relief when the game’s still close, Feldman for mop-up long relief if it’s out of hand, Fx2 as the fireman, German if you need a sixth-inning guy, the Electrician for the 7th, Benoit for the 8th and BGL as closer.

by Inkara1 on May 4, 2008 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions

I like that but...

Wes should be in the pen instead of German. Plus you have a 7 man pen so add in your loogy. Either Eddie G or Rheino when healthy.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on May 4, 2008 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions

The writing is on the wall Jason Jennings

Your time as a Ranger, is coming to a close. It was short, it was not sweet, your career is also probably over.

by SaltyGoesYard on May 4, 2008 10:59 AM CDT reply actions

Too quick

I still think that he’s getting his legs under him from the injury. I expect him to pitch well later on, perhaps he needs a looooong rehab assignment.

...and curse Sir Walter Raleigh, he was such a stupid git.

by t ball on May 4, 2008 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions

jennings

im starting to think he was never really back to being healthy enough to start, perhaps a 60day dl stint is needed.

"When we're mad we'll use our words. Then the rest of the world will play nice with us. And the only boom-booms will be in our pants." - Ralph Wiggum

by rentz on May 4, 2008 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd love to trade MY

and install Vazquez at the starting SS. You’d lose production, but gain prospects! Let’s get the overall #1 ranking in BA’s minor’s rankings.

by Apes and Androids on May 4, 2008 11:25 AM CDT reply actions

Heh...

I can’t say I’d be opposed to trading MY. If we could find a taker for that contract (which would never happen), I would be interested to see what portion we’d have to pay and what the prospect haul would be.

by cmkelly29 on May 4, 2008 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions

trading MY

most of the fans would really be incensed if that trade happened since they probably would not understand or agree with that trade. They did find a taker for the last short stop here that had a huge contract. I like Michael as a person and as a face of the organization but he really is limited in his defense. Took me a while to come to that conclusion but I am on board now. The numbers say that when Vazquez is playing at whatever position we win more than we lose according to Evan in the DMN today so he needs to play.

yo soy Horsedooty!

I soloed in the mile high club.

by Sr Horsedooty on May 4, 2008 12:38 PM CDT reply actions

Fans

I don’t think you worry about them when you’re only getting 14k seats filled. The best way to get fans is to win, and if trading MY will help win a couple of years down the line, then the fans will come back. Fans are like the high-maintenance girlfriend. Emotional, but in it forever.

by Apes and Androids on May 4, 2008 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions

horrible starts the last 2 years

I think the slow starts these last couple years have been the best thing that could have happened.

Last year, all the losing made JD realize, without a doubt, that he needed to be a seller – and he did a fine job in dealing most everything with value for good prospects.

This year the losing and injuries leave us with a lineup that includes Salty, Murphy, Boggs, Duran some days. Also much of the bullpen and several starters are young guys getting looks. Now it feels like a rebuilding year, which it should have been all along.

I think April has been good to us in a funny sort of way.

Pedro: "I wasn't cockfighting, I just have a wide stance."

by tricer on May 4, 2008 1:00 PM CDT reply actions