Thursday a.m. things

by Adam J. Morris on Sep 4, 2008 10:17 AM CDT Comment 21 comments

So I'm sitting here, trying to decide if the 7 innings of shutout ball Dustin Nippert threw yesterday against the hapless M's should make me feel better about Nippert, or worse about what Brandon McCarthy did against the Mariners the day before.

Evan Grant has a lot of praise for Taylor Teagarden's handling of the pitchers yesterday, with Ron Washington giving him credit for calling a great game and making adjustments. Washington, of course, puts a huge emphasis on a catcher's defense and ability to run a game, and Teagarden, with back-to-back 1-0 shutout victories to his credit behind the plate, is certainly making an impression in that regard.

Jason Jennings is going to start throwing on September 19, and says he'd like to come back to Texas next year. I wouldn't be surprised if the Rangers signed him on a minor league deal.

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sure why not

low risk/moderate reward. we have a history of going through double digit starting pitchers over the course of a year so i dont think it could hurt to have an established veteran toiling away in OKC for a chance to take the ball when Milwood or BMac get hurt.

by Smoakin in the Boys Room on Sep 4, 2008 10:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

If it’s a minor league deal, I can live with that. Who knows if we’re going to have more problems next year with our starters staying healthy.

Maybe we can trade Jennings at the deadline next year for someone named Hot Dog.

by Coolbean04 on Sep 4, 2008 10:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Some encouraging things

Hawkins and Colborn — who were part of the Ryan bullpen session with McCarthy — apparently tweaked Nippert’s delivery to throw less across his body. Perhaps the Rangers should start pursuing very tall pitchers to work with these guys? I’m kidding, but early successes for the new pitching coaches are nice for the pitching staff’s confidence going into next year, and may even help sway a free agent in a tiny way.

Teagarden — Still a small sample, but there have been too many times a pitcher has praised his abilities to discount it. Even if his ability is partially a mirage that just has a placebo affect on pitchers, that has value. I think it’s much more than that. This is a guy who might be smart to keep around to work with the many young arms here and on the way.

O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!
Sondern laßt uns angenehmere anstimmen,
und freudenvollere.

by t ball on Sep 4, 2008 10:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and I almost forgot

This is the Francisco we thought we had a couple of years ago. Nice to have him back.

O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!
Sondern laßt uns angenehmere anstimmen,
und freudenvollere.

by t ball on Sep 4, 2008 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nippert/McCarthy

Why should one’s outing relate to the other. I love your blog Adam, but I swear, sometimes you I think you could find a way to be bummed if the team went 162-0. The Rangers have had horrible pitching all year, get two stellar outings and somehow this brings up concerns about McCarthy? I don’t care if it’s 2 games against the Springfield Isotopes, just enjoy it.

Fire Ron Washington

by pblack on Sep 4, 2008 10:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It depends on my mood

Sometimes I look at the good things. Sometimes I look at the bad things.

by Adam J. Morris on Sep 4, 2008 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, my work computer is fixed...yay

I replied to you below…

so weird that for a month it wouldn’t let me reply, and now I can.

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 Sep 4, 2008 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So I’m sitting here, trying to decide if the 7 innings of shutout ball Dustin Nippert threw yesterday against the hapless M’s should make me feel better about Nippert, or worse about what Brandon McCarthy did against the Mariners the day before.

huh?

"Popularity is fleeting. Principles are forever."
"Maybe congress should take more vacations, whenever these people leave town, things just seem to get better..." - Jay Leno

by Longhorn on Sep 4, 2008 10:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

AJM's

attempt at being the afternoon cloud. But I found it a very imaginative way to not only find a negative in Nippert’s performance but also throw BMac into the ring as well. :)

What's the rumpus?

by Hypo-Luxa on Sep 4, 2008 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

AJM = Debbie Downer

Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!

by DerekSTheRed on Sep 4, 2008 11:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

whaaahhh..... waaaaaaaahhhh

by 1man5stools on Sep 4, 2008 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reply to AJM

(work computer sucks)

What is bad to look at from yesterday? Just the fact that they’re playing Seattle?

I put it this way, we would’ve been encouraged if Nippert had made that start in AAA — therefore I don’t think it should really be viewed as a negative that he made it against a MLB club.

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 Sep 4, 2008 12:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I was being somewhat facetious, you know

by Adam J. Morris on Sep 4, 2008 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ehh, I guess

it’s really hard to tell with you. Emoticons??

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 Sep 4, 2008 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I prefer to be mysterious

by Adam J. Morris on Sep 4, 2008 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fair enough

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 Sep 4, 2008 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

An underappreciated weakness of Laird

is his sucky receiving. I bet we lose 5-10 strike calls a game because of his stabbing at pitches. All 3 other catchers are better at framing and Teagarden may be the best. Anybody know Teagarden’s stolen-base-allowed percentage? (not sure what that stat’s called)

by jcAustin on Sep 4, 2008 2:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

receiving the ball

is the catcher’s most important defensive skill IMO.

Huge difference in a pitch on the black making a 1-2 count rather than a 2-1 count, especially when that count leverage is multiplied a dozen or more times throughout a game.

Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.

by tricer on Sep 4, 2008 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

excellent points sir!

"California is the most liberal state in the union. No joke that place is probably going to slide into the ocean one of these days. California is a wasteland run by liberals"

-Sharky- what a nice guy huh? I guess he doesn't watch any TV shows or movies.. If California goes so goes the entertainment industry. What a nut job!!

by LAMuscleFag on Sep 4, 2008 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs