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Wednesday a.m. things

Th_buckykatt_tiny by Adam J. Morris on

Three games over .500.  And a great game last night, a terrific victory with the bullpen, once again, coming through, allowing just 1 run in 4 innings. 

Evan Grant loves him some Ian Kinsler...Kinsler's 2 strike double off of Mariano Rivera, followed by his steal of third in the 9th, is the focus of Grant's game story.

Eddie Guardado won't be going to the d.l., although Ron Washington hopes to be able to keep from using him tonight and save him until Friday.  And Brandon McCarthy threw a 45 pitch bullpen session yesterday, with Ron Washington saying the next step is to throw to live batters.

Frank Catalanotto and Max Ramirez will both play tonight, Cat at DH, Ramirez at catcher.

Jim Reeves has a column up on Kevin Millwood, saying they need him to be more consistent if they are going to be playoff contenders. 

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Kinsler

real nice 9th inning, that was exciting. Good comeback by Wilson, too, after the walk.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 2, 2008 9:33 AM CDT   0 recs

Wilson

6 consecutive pitches in the zone after the walk.

A Lonestar in California

"My keyboard is a Yankees fan" - Whipsmart

by lonestarJon on Jul 2, 2008 11:23 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Lewin

Good to see him have a more reasonable call to end last nights game. Monday’s “GOT IT, GOT IT, GOT IT!” was a little over the top…

Joe Morgan: (On Jay Bruce) I think he will. He brings energy to the team, and besides that, he is a pretty good hitter.
Ken Tremendous: I like that the #1 reason he will help his team is: "energy," and the distant #2 reason is: "ability to hit baseballs."

by TheBZA on Jul 2, 2008 9:41 AM CDT   0 recs

Color me just a tad

skeptical when it comes to seeing anything out of Brandon McCarthy in 2008.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jul 2, 2008 9:42 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow

I’m just SHOCKED

I'm undefeated in fights. Have I been in any? No. Thats because people know my f'ing status. Don't mess with the elite. - Miles

by Dirk Diggler on Jul 2, 2008 9:51 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL

"Well, the Dallas Mavericks got beat by the New Orleans Hornets last night ending their season. Word is that someone on the team is dating Jessica Simpson." - Jay Leno

by hinduplaya on Jul 2, 2008 10:19 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He's back!

+Rec!

Joe Morgan: (On Jay Bruce) I think he will. He brings energy to the team, and besides that, he is a pretty good hitter.
Ken Tremendous: I like that the #1 reason he will help his team is: "energy," and the distant #2 reason is: "ability to hit baseballs."

by TheBZA on Jul 2, 2008 9:45 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

"I’ll say something that doesn’t need context: anyone who is a Mariner’s fan is a douchebag." - FuturePants

by Chase Irwin on Jul 2, 2008 2:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow

I don’t know what is worse..posts by Josey and Seven/newbie/LBrooks in quick succession or me somewhat in agreeance to both (although Salty definitely ain’t a throw-in at this point)

Here are just a few of the key ingredients: dynamite, pole vaulting, laughing gas, choppers - can you see how incredible this is going to be? - hang gliding, come on! -- Dignan

by Hypo-Luxa on Jul 2, 2008 11:14 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Question...

Are you James L Brooks who produces The Simpsons?

A Lonestar in California

"My keyboard is a Yankees fan" - Whipsmart

by lonestarJon on Jul 2, 2008 11:16 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Joe Morgan

also thinks Millwood needs to be more consistent.

"Everybody wants the most they can possibly get for the least they can possibly do." - Todd Snider

by henryfinkel on Jul 2, 2008 9:44 AM CDT   0 recs

Heh

or at least to concetrate (sic) more…

by cjcheng on Jul 2, 2008 10:07 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I figured out his problem

He just needs a refill on his Consistenyl™.

by jwiscarson on Jul 2, 2008 12:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

mccarthy

anyone have any comparison cases for mccarthys injury?

im half expecting him to come back throwing even slower than he did and eventually have surgery anyway.

is there a track record for people missing this kind of time for elbow inflammation or whatever and just coming back healthy and good to go without lingering issues?

2 games over 500 please.

by DSheppard on Jul 2, 2008 9:45 AM CDT   0 recs

I have no idea

or baseline for pitchers with his injury history.

I think he’s either the poster child for a pitcher who needs Tommy John surgery asap or his body is simply rejecting the notion that he can take the ball every 5th day.

McCarthy was an acceptable pitcher in 2006 when used in long relief and if he’s healthy (yeah, right) by August 1, I’d use him in that role.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jul 2, 2008 9:53 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You know...

Until he came to Texas, he never had any injury problems. He didn’t seem to have any problems starting in the minors through 2005.

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 2, 2008 9:55 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes,

but when he tried to take the ball every 5th day in The Show, his body started breaking down and rejecting the notion that he can do it.

What do you think about returning him to the role he had with the WSox in 2006?

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jul 2, 2008 9:59 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So starting on a MLB mound

has more of an effect on his arm than starting on a AAA mound?

That makes no sense.

I'm undefeated in fights. Have I been in any? No. Thats because people know my f'ing status. Don't mess with the elite. - Miles

by Dirk Diggler on Jul 2, 2008 10:00 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Who knows?

But that is what appears to have happened to McCarthy.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jul 2, 2008 10:25 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Really?

His forearm inflammation this spring was the result of not being able to handle the effect of being a major league starting pitcher?

I don’t follow.

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 2, 2008 10:30 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Blisters, hairline fracture

(or was it a stress fracture?) of his shoulder blade, general ineffectiveness followed by elbow inflammation three weeks after reporting to Surprise this spring.

His body seems to be rejecting the notion that he can take the ball every fifth day (if at all) and stay healthy in The Show.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jul 2, 2008 10:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

But are you arguing that

he’s hurt BECAUSE he’s in “The Show” or he’s hurt AND he’s in the “The Show.”

I'm undefeated in fights. Have I been in any? No. Thats because people know my f'ing status. Don't mess with the elite. - Miles

by Dirk Diggler on Jul 2, 2008 10:35 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

From what I have seen

thus far from McCarthy, his body is rejecting the notion that he take the ball every 5th day in The Show.

The evidence that we have seen thus far is that McCarthy’s body will let him pitch long relief in The Show.

What I would do is pitch him in long relief the rest of this year and then see about making him a starter next year.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jul 2, 2008 10:40 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

This is crazy logic

The man is hurt now after starting. The man wasn’t hurt after being a long reliever. Therefore starting = hurt.

Let’s just put him in long relief, and he’ll magically stay healthy. There are zero other factors to consider.

I'm undefeated in fights. Have I been in any? No. Thats because people know my f'ing status. Don't mess with the elite. - Miles

by Dirk Diggler on Jul 2, 2008 10:43 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Diggler,

There’s no magic to it…I think McCarthy is an obvious candidate for Tommy John surgery and I will be shocked if he makes any (long relief or starter) meaningful contributions to the Rangers this year.

IF he’s healthy enough to pitch, I’d spoonfeed him innings the rest of this year and then we’ll see about 2009.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jul 2, 2008 10:46 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't disagree with spoonfeeding him innings

I just can’t follow the logic that he can’t possibly be healthy enough to be a starter. People come back from injuries ya know.

I'm undefeated in fights. Have I been in any? No. Thats because people know my f'ing status. Don't mess with the elite. - Miles

by Dirk Diggler on Jul 2, 2008 10:52 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Not McCarthy

Because starting in the Show is different than starting in the minors. You know, you have to pitch on lower mounds with jagged rocks in them, deal with 110 degree weather instead of a cool 70, and of course dealing with monkey that kicks you in the chin after every pitch.

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg1 on Jul 2, 2008 5:04 PM CDT to parent up   1 recs

Funny bit

I hope this is a bit

"So you think the Celtics will beat Detroit? Hell will freeze over before that happens, mark my words." miles 5/20/08

by badradiorules on Jul 2, 2008 11:53 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's not

too bad though

I'm undefeated in fights. Have I been in any? No. Thats because people know my f'ing status. Don't mess with the elite. - Miles

by Dirk Diggler on Jul 2, 2008 12:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

This is hilarious.

Being a starting pitcher in major league baseball is akin to being an organ donor recipient.

You are hilarious, Josey. I hope you take over Joe Morgan’s weekly ESPN chats.

by jwiscarson on Jul 2, 2008 12:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

bulked up too much

over the offseason.

by SteveP on Jul 2, 2008 11:20 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

getting back to plausible explanations

I really think bad mechanics screwed him up. I’m not sure our guys are the best at getting the most out of tall pitchers – which doesn’t bode well for the future of our pitching prospects.

Rare Gnats Sex

by ab03 on Jul 2, 2008 11:23 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

sadly

you may be right. the Hurlehey boy looks pretty solid though.

by SteveP on Jul 2, 2008 11:39 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

This pretty much sums it up

when it comes to the brittle injury prone flop Brandon McCarthy who is liable to fracture and fall apart when subjected to the stress of pitching.

I saved and old quote he said from last year on May 26, 2007. Yes, I save everything Rangers related.

“I struggled a little bit with control before but I’m not that bad, I know that. It’s really frustrating me because I felt really good everywhere else. Everything was great until I took the ball.“

Yep… everything is going pretty good until you get your stinking hands on the ball. And a lot of things would be better for this rotation had JD not traded away John Danks for your sorry ass.

and the linkI saved from last year. I think it’s time for me to finally clean up my bookmarks.

"Over the years, my favorite pastime outside baseball is driving through a pasture looking at cattle." - Nolan Ryan

by hurlerhurley on Jul 3, 2008 9:15 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think...

...you leave him as a starter. He didn’t have a problem starting in the minors, and he didn’t have a problem starting in the minors and majors in 2005.

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 2, 2008 10:06 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd roll with him

as a long reliever, see if he stays healthy and then think about him in next year’s rotation.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jul 2, 2008 10:27 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That's a waste

See what he does as a starter this year. If he fails, consider the move to the bullpen for next season.

Joe Morgan: (On Jay Bruce) I think he will. He brings energy to the team, and besides that, he is a pretty good hitter.
Ken Tremendous: I like that the #1 reason he will help his team is: "energy," and the distant #2 reason is: "ability to hit baseballs."

by TheBZA on Jul 2, 2008 10:30 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

unless

Padilla, Millwood, Hurley, Feldman keep doing their thing and we don’t trade any, and Mendoza magically comes in and pitches well. then you don’t have a reason to bring B-Mac in as a starter, because we’d probably still be somewhat in the race. I’d pitch McCarthy out of the pen in that situation, instead of starting him in AAA

"No, Donny, these men are nihilists, there's nothing to be afraid of."

by Walter Sobchak on Jul 2, 2008 11:44 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Realistically

I expect one of the following to be traded, injured or struggling. That would open a spot for BMac

Joe Morgan: (On Jay Bruce) I think he will. He brings energy to the team, and besides that, he is a pretty good hitter.
Ken Tremendous: I like that the #1 reason he will help his team is: "energy," and the distant #2 reason is: "ability to hit baseballs."

by TheBZA on Jul 2, 2008 11:53 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

true, we've grown to expect that.

But injuries aside, we SHOULD expect Millwood and Padilla to compete at a high level. We have been completely surprised by Feldman as a starter. Hurley’s getting better with each start, and while I expect some growing pains, it’s easy to imagine him finishing as a sub 5.00 ERA pitcher, which should get him 8 wins by year end with this offense. So Mendoza’s the only obvious question mark, which is a big one I admit. But another question I have – if McCarthy’s ready in a month, and one of our guys goes down between now and then, does Harrison get a shot? Who other than Mathis and Gabbard is in line, Tommy Hunter???

"No, Donny, these men are nihilists, there's nothing to be afraid of."

by Walter Sobchak on Jul 2, 2008 12:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

huh?

Hes been a starter all but one year of his professional career. How is it now all of a sudden his body is rejecting taking the ball every 5 days? You seem to forget his role with the WSox in 2005 as they were on their way to a WS title he was a 21 year old who got 10 starts and posted a nice 4 ERA. 10 starts is basically a third of a season.

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 2, 2008 10:32 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

10 starts

is less than 30% (34 starts) of the starts that a good starting pitcher who stays healthy will take during the year.

For whatever reason, McCarthy’s body rejected him (injuries all over the place) taking the ball every 5th day last year and the team paid for it this year.

Is it a waste to make him a long reliever? I don’t think so. I love what Rupe has been able to do in the last couple of months.

The fact that JD got killed in this trade should not matter. Trying to make McCarthy a starter to justify the trade when McCarthy’s arm can’t take it would be a waste.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jul 2, 2008 10:38 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Okay

This is about the 6th time in this thread you’ve said “his body is rejecting taking the ball every 5th day.”

That’s just weird.

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 2, 2008 10:44 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Do you disagree

with that notion? It hasn’t been just one injury with McCarthy.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jul 2, 2008 10:48 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So tell me this then doc

Why did his body not reject taking the ball every 5th day while he was in the minors or in 2005 when he was starting in “The Show”?

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 2, 2008 10:50 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

dunno

Grande Esteban but it just happened.

Perhaps it was his awkward throwing motion that took it’s toll or perhaps it’s his Ichabod Crane body.

Either way, he hasn’t been able to stay healthy since JD traded for him.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jul 2, 2008 10:57 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

last sentence

correct.

everything you’ve said other than that is unfounded and illogical.

Rare Gnats Sex

by ab03 on Jul 2, 2008 11:00 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes, everybody disagrees

because it makes no sense. he was starting every 5th day forever, even with the White Sox. he only got injured while playing with the rangers.

if anything, maybe his crappy mechanics that were tweaked ad nauseum when he came here caused the injury. at least that’s more plausible than “body rejecting being a starter.”

Rare Gnats Sex

by ab03 on Jul 2, 2008 10:59 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

abo3

I know nothing about what makes a pitcher’s body breakdown like McCarthy but this was a healthy pitcher before he tried to take the ball every 5th day in The Show.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jul 2, 2008 11:11 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

and it was healthy after

so, there goes that theory.

Rare Gnats Sex

by ab03 on Jul 2, 2008 11:12 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Excuse me?

McCarthy’s arm wasn’t right in March.

Hopefully I’m not breaking new ground here but sometimes if a pitcher has a physically taxing season in one season, it hurts him the next year.

Somebody translate the concept to Cahill.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jul 2, 2008 11:16 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

so what about 2006?

He started in “The Show” for the WSox and wasn’t hurt the next year? Maybe long relief is what hurt him. Maybe it screwed up his body and when he went back to starting, which he had done his entire career until then, he got screwed up.

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 2, 2008 11:19 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

in 2005

he pitched a combined 186 innings in the majors/AAA as a starter and was fine.

But you know what? 2007 was the first year he pitched as a starter…with blue shoes. We were overlooking the obvious the whole time! It’s gotta be the shoes!

Rare Gnats Sex

by ab03 on Jul 2, 2008 11:20 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Awsome

"So you think the Celtics will beat Detroit? Hell will freeze over before that happens, mark my words." miles 5/20/08

by badradiorules on Jul 2, 2008 11:48 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

exactly

A complete misunderstanding of cause and effect.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 2, 2008 11:45 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

no I'm just tired of reading it

so please, stop typing it.

"No, Donny, these men are nihilists, there's nothing to be afraid of."

by Walter Sobchak on Jul 2, 2008 11:44 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Why not?

My brain rejects the notion that its worthwhile to read Josey’s mind numbing crap. Does that work the same way?

"And I stopped beating my wife just a couple of weeks ago." -John McCain

by DJCahill on Jul 2, 2008 11:00 AM CDT to parent up   1 recs

Cahill,

Don’t worry, just about everything I write is waaaaaay over your head.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jul 2, 2008 11:09 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No,

everything you try to understand is way over your head.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 2, 2008 11:45 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Its so nice to see this lovely condescension here too.

Its obvious, winning games when you score 3-5 runs is important (though how you accomplish that is not relevant), Game Scores or the only way to look at what a starter has done, and now, McCarthy’s body rejects the notion of him pitching every 5th day in the Majors as opposed to the minors/Majors.

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg1 on Jul 2, 2008 5:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I never said how you accomplish winning

games where you score 3 to 5 runs is not relevant. You know I never said that and that I never would. No reason to lie, you little twit.

Who knows why McCarthy couldn’t take the ball every 5th day in The Show but if you believe he will last for 34 starts / 200IP’s in The Show, you’re fooling yourself.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jul 2, 2008 5:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's one of those situations...

where he’s really proud of a bit he came up with. So he’s got to repeat it multiple times so we can truly appreciate it.

"I know you're a bit dense but no, it doesn't. Obviously lying isn't a problem for me."

by benmor78 on Jul 2, 2008 12:05 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Kind of like

Miles being pissed at everyone and everything. Or the embedded pics that overwhelm the game threads.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 2, 2008 12:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

McCarthy and Fukimora

Where are these guys?

How come we don’t hear about them?

Lbrooks

by LBrooks on Jul 2, 2008 9:50 AM CDT   0 recs

I don't get what they're doing with Fukamori

Is he st il a reliever or are they making him a starter??

"Well, the Dallas Mavericks got beat by the New Orleans Hornets last night ending their season. Word is that someone on the team is dating Jessica Simpson." - Jay Leno

by hinduplaya on Jul 2, 2008 10:22 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think..

They are using him as they need him.

by tyd3311 on Jul 2, 2008 10:30 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

OKC rotation

the rotation in OKC was decimated this weekend with 4 games in 2 days so I imagine thats why Fukimori got the start.

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jul 2, 2008 10:47 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Frank Catalanotto and Max Ramirez will both play tonight,

I read that and thought CD was going to be sitting tonight with Cat at 1B. So who will be in the OF tonight?

Murphy, Hamilton, Bradley?
Murphy, Byrd, Hamilton?
Murphy, Byrd, Bradley?

Brandon Boggs 2008 Texas Rangers ROY

by RangerMad on Jul 2, 2008 9:51 AM CDT   0 recs

Soo..

Bradley, Hamilton, and Murphy will probably be in the outfield and Davis at first.

by tyd3311 on Jul 2, 2008 10:32 AM CDT to parent up