Saturday a.m. Rangers things
by Adam J. Morris on May 16, 2009 9:59 AM CDT
115 comments
So, yeah, it was a little more excitement at the end than we would have liked, but a win is a win.
That's 5 in a row, 8 of their last 10, and enough to ensure that the Angels will leave town in second place, even if they win the last two games of the series.
Evan Grant says the Rangers were disappointed after the game over letting the Angels back into it late. Grant also has praise for Elvis Andrus for sparking the Rangers big 4 run 3rd by working a walk against Joe Saunders.
Kevin Millwood says he could have pitched better, but personally, I think allowing just two runs in 6 innings isn't anything to sneeze at.
Jeff Miller has a story up at Inside Corner with some comments and quotes from the Angels about the '09 Rangers.
Jeff Wilson has some notes up at the S-T, including some comments from Ron Washington about the relievers not getting a ton of innings -- Kris Benson hasn't pitched in over a week, and Jason Jennings hasn't pitched since Sunday -- and about Nelson Cruz sitting against a lefty. Cruz has sat twice this week against lefties, with Hank Blalock starting in both games, which I don't get.
Nevermind that the team is better off defensively with Cruz in the outfield and Andruw Jones at DH...Blalock is a career .228/.281/.366 hitter against lefties, and has been even worse this year, going .171/.190/.268. Evan Grant noted that Cruz has been slumping against lefties of late, going 6 for his last 30 against them, but Blalock only has 7 hits against lefties all year in 41 ABs. And Ron Washington tried to justify it by saying that Blalock is too hot to sit, but against pitchers other than Brandon Morrow, Blalock is 0 for his last 12, and has dropped to a.244/.280/.553 line on the year.
There's no excuse for a healthy Nelson Cruz to be sitting against a lefty this season, and there's no reason for Hank Blalock to be DHing against a lefty from here on out, either. Blalock is a platoon player. You brought Andruw Jones in here to be the DH against lefties...let him DH against lefties. And let Nelson Cruz play against lefties.
The bullpen meltdown yesterday could be a bad sign, as Evan Grant says that the series -- and possibly the A.L. West -- should be won or lost by the bullpens of these two teams.
Jeff Miller has a lengthy article up at Inside Corner on the improved Rangers defense that is a must read. It includes discussion of Defensive Efficiency Rating and a quote from Jon Daniels about the defense being the most improved part of the team this year.
Ben Sheets was at TBIA yesterday, but he isn't throwing and doesn't know when he's going to start. The talk about adding Sheets around the All-Star Break seems premature...it sounds like he might not be ready until 2010.
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RAIN WILL WORK SOUTH DURING THE DAY…POSSIBLY ENDING OVER THE
METROPLEX SITES BY LATE AFTERNOON/EARLY EVENING…
II Cor. 4:17-18
by TedFord on May 16, 2009 10:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This is mostly light rain
I dont know why they couldn’t play now.
Stop caring about the color of your glove and focus on your pitching.
by Texasportsfan on May 16, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rain
I hope it doesn’t stick around too long- I was gonna go buy a BBQ grill today…
"I dont care to debate with a troll." - Sharky
by RCCook on May 16, 2009 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Grill at my place, RC.
Just make sure to bring enough steak for me :)
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
by Rodney on May 16, 2009 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just bought a new
Half gas, half charcol grill, with a smoke box. It is pretty sweet.
Stop caring about the color of your glove and focus on your pitching.
by Texasportsfan on May 16, 2009 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can we get a few more Blalock ab's v. leftys
before we declare him to be a “platoon player”?
He had over a .900 OPS v. leftys last year and didn’t suddenly forget how to hit them.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 16, 2009 10:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Is Hank ready for The Show?
She say she are the manager.
by rockin_rangers on May 16, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Really?
How about 891? That’s how many he’s had over his career against lefties.
The only reason you give a crap about this is because Blalock is going to walk after the season, and if he’s a platoon DH, it becomes a lot harder for you to bitch about how Jonny Donuts came home with a stinky diaper for letting him leave instead of giving him the 3 year, $30 million deal you are pushing and trading away some of the magic beans.
by Adam J. Morris on May 16, 2009 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That sums things up perfectly.
I wish the Rangers could trade Blalock for a strong pitcher, and trade from a position of relative strength to address weaknesses.
However, realistically I don’t think Blalock has huge trade value in a year where Barry Bonds is collecting unemployment, Abreu got picked up for $5 million, and Dunn and Burrell got 2 year deals.
So, while I think Blalock is expendable, I’m not sure the counterparty exists to make the deal to make it worthwhile. Which is a shame, because I don’t think it will be possible to get FA compensation for him, either.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
by DJCahill on May 16, 2009 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Blalock
They might be able to trade him for an equally over-priced middle reliever with an expiring contract this season. Given our depth at the position Blalock plays and our needs in the bullpen, that would probably be a good move for the right reliever.
Other than that, I don’t think he’s movable until maybe July 31, if we are not in the race, for a marginal prospect.
by Darrell McKown on May 16, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, unless he is a throw in for a deal
I just don’t see him being a big trade chip.
"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com
by DJCahill on May 16, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also
You said Blalock is blowing away his PECOTA projection…
He has a .269 EQA this season. His weighted mean PECOTA projection was a .265 EQA.
by Adam J. Morris on May 16, 2009 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did PECOTA have him slated for 50 bombs this year, Adam?
IF we’re going to forget about history and go by what we know this year so far, Blalock has a 50 HR pace.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 16, 2009 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And a .280 OBP.
And a .269 EQA.
That .280 OBP really drags the 50 bombs down.
by Adam J. Morris on May 16, 2009 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
OPS is still .833
He’s not going to hit 50 bombs just like he’s not going to end up with an obp of .280 (career obp is .340ish).
Calling him a platoon player is baseless.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 16, 2009 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Calling him a platoon player...
…is based on the fact that he’s had almost 1000 PAs against lefties and can’t hit them to save his life.
by Adam J. Morris on May 16, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What do you attribute his .903 OPS v. leftys to last year?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 16, 2009 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Small sample size
Only 83 at bats in 2008 as compared to almost 1000 at bats for his career against lefties.
by cstorm15 on May 16, 2009 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kinda like his 40 ab's v leftys this year?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 16, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fine, why don't you explain away the 892 career at bats?
You can’t.
by cstorm15 on May 16, 2009 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So should we also look at Nelson Cruz's overall
record in The Show as well?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 16, 2009 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure
Along with his overall record in AAA.
by Adam J. Morris on May 16, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So...
Cincy should be starting Jerry Hairston, Jr., right now, right? I mean, he had an 871 OPS last season…clearly, he’s figured something out and should start…
by Adam J. Morris on May 16, 2009 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No idea, I don't pay much attention to the Reds
but I noticed Laynce Nix is playing quite a bit for them.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 16, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But I do know that 40 abs
v. leftys is waaaaaaaay too small of a sample size to make any judgments especially when you see what Blalock did last year.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 16, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why does it matter what Blalock did against lefties last season?
Doesn’t it matter what he did in 2007, 2006, 2005, etc., as well?
And isn’t it worth noting he didn’t have a ton of ABs against lefties last season because, once again, he couldn’t stay healthy?
by Adam J. Morris on May 16, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So are you forecasting another injury to Blalock
this year?
He was fairly healthy his first 4 years in The Show and being a DH seems to agree with health…unless you know something you’re not letting the rest of the room know.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 16, 2009 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am saying...
…that Blalock has had a problem staying healthy, that his injury issues have limited him to DH duties, and that he has a history of not hitting lefties.
I’d rather give that $30 million to Jake Peavy to waive his no-trade clause than give it to Blalock.
by Adam J. Morris on May 16, 2009 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's see what Blalock does this year
before giving him $ 30 million.
I do think he’s going to hit 30+ bombs (with .540+ slugging %) with good health this year and if that happens, he’s getting more than $ 30 million.
When healthy, he’s also a proven every day player.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 16, 2009 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
x
I do think he’s going to hit 30+ bombs (with .540+ slugging %) with good health this year and if that happens, he’s getting more than $ 30 million.
Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell, and Bobby Abreu are now standing in line outside your door, wanting you to represent them.
Milton Bradley had a better year than that and only got 3 years, $30 million.
by Adam J. Morris on May 16, 2009 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And the Bradley deal was widely criticized because, like Blalock, Bradley can’t stay healthy.
by cstorm15 on May 16, 2009 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bradley has no history of staying healthy
and Blalock has a long history of staying healthy.
Just not recently.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 16, 2009 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Blalock hasn't played a full season since 2006
Now, if you want to say Blalock has a slightly better health record than Bradley because Blalock stayed healthy from ages 23-26, that’s fine. Doesn’t really help your argument, since you’re interested in Blalock for his age 29-31 seasons, not his age 23-26 seasons.
What’s even funnier though is that you’re at least willing to consider Blalock’s health record from those earlier seasons, yet you’re willing to ignore his performance in those seasons. From 2003 to 2006, Blalock’s only full seasons, Blalock hit .228 with a .276 OBP in 690 at bats against lefties.
There’s enough evidence to suggest that, if you can keep Blalock on the field for a full season, he’s going to consistently suck against left handed pitchers.
by cstorm15 on May 16, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dude...
You are not going to win an argument with cstorm, especially this one. Just stop.
Stop caring about the color of your glove and focus on your pitching.
by Texasportsfan on May 16, 2009 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So if homers are the end-all, be-all
Then why don’t you like Davis? After all, Davis is on pace for 47 homers.
And even if one were to assume that Blalock is better than Davis right now, is Blalock 3 years/30 million better than Davis? Of course not.
I seriously think you’ve found the most noncontroversial topic (letting Blalock go at the end of the year) and then picked the opposite side just to give you something new to argue.
by cstorm15 on May 16, 2009 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where the hell did you ever see that I didn't like Davis?
He’s one of the best young power hitters in the game and we’re lucky to have him.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 16, 2009 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok, so then it's Smoak you don't like.
Or is it Max Ramirez? Exactly which young sluggers are you ready to cast off so you can fork over money to Blalock and start him at DH every day (even against lefties)? There’s not room for all of them, so why would you want to waste what little financial flexibility we have on Blalock?
Remember, you were also complaining about the need for more bullpen arms. If the Rangers resign Blalock, there will be no money left to add bullpen arms in the offseason.
by cstorm15 on May 16, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Smoak and I like Max but the last time
I checked you can only play one 1B at a time and one C at a time in The Show.
Somebody’s gonna have to go.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 16, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Then why shouldn't it be Blalock
Why not take that $30 million you want to give him, offer it to Jake Peavy to waive his no-trade, and let Max or Smoak DH (and put up similar numbers to Blalock) for the league minimum over those three years?
by Adam J. Morris on May 16, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who are you trading for Peavy?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 16, 2009 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It depends
I’d come in with Harrison, Cruz, Vallejo, and Beltre.
But there are a lot of viable parts you could use.
by Adam J. Morris on May 16, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And you think Max & Smoak
can both come in here and hit 30 bombs with a .550ish slugging percentage in their rookie years?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 16, 2009 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nope
But then, I don’t expect Blalock to have a .550ish slugging percentage this season, either.
I do expect that Smoak, in particular, will have a much nicer OBP than Blalock. Smoak’s offensive skill set seems much more similar to Bradley — switch-hitting high OBP guy with some power — than to Blalock, who has transformed himself into a low-OBP all-or-nothing power hitter.
by Adam J. Morris on May 16, 2009 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Peavy
Do you think Harrison, Cruz, Vallejo, and Beltre even gets you close?
I was thinking something more like Davis, Harrison and Teagarden.
by Darrell McKown on May 16, 2009 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think San Diego already has a 1b...
by cstorm15 on May 16, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, but
given their payroll situation, I could see them taking a cheap one and moving Gonzalez for more pre-arbitration talent.
by Darrell McKown on May 16, 2009 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
San Diego has no use for a 1B
It depends on how much value is placed on Cruz. I know you think he’s pretty worthless, so if one things he has no value, you can sub in someone else. They could really use a power-hitting COF who covers a ton of ground, though.
by Adam J. Morris on May 16, 2009 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cruz
I view him like Harrison, someone I would jump at the chance to sell high on.
He has been better than I expected, I’ll be the first to admit, but I’m still not overly confident he won’t drift back to a .750 OPS. Hopefully I wrong.
by Darrell McKown on May 16, 2009 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's just one example
There are many better ways to spend that money than giving it to Blalock and blocking Smoak for the next three years.
by cstorm15 on May 16, 2009 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So you don' think Smoak & Max
can do what Blalock is going to do this year either.
Are we trying to do things to help the big club win or make the owner more money?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 16, 2009 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Smoak can. He's that good.
I like Max as a prospect, but he’s not the type of blue-chip prospect that you make room for at the major league level. Smoak is that type of prospect.
And I’m trying to be realistic. Sure, I’d love for us to have a $150 mil payroll, but that’s not going to happen. Given the payroll constraints our cheap (and financially unsound) owner has put in place, I think that the best Rangers team most likely includes Smoak at 1b/DH and our excess payroll spent on other parts of the ballclub.
Why are you living in this fantasy world where payroll doesn’t matter?
by cstorm15 on May 16, 2009 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does anyone think that Hicks will start spending money?
Especially if people start showing back up because of the winning.
I hope he will.
Winning= People who show up and spend money
More money on payroll=more winning
Stop caring about the color of your glove and focus on your pitching.
by Texasportsfan on May 16, 2009 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep
And are you trying to win for this year, or for the long term?
If you’re trying to put together a team that’s a perennial contender, I’d much rather have Smoak going forward than Blalock. Better OBP, good enough power, and saves you money that can go towards pitching.
"I dont care to debate with a troll." - Sharky
by RCCook on May 16, 2009 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even if your payroll is $1 billion
you still dump Blalock and go with the cheaper option that will have a higher OBP. You don’t overpay just because you have money.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on May 16, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If money were no option...
You’d resign Blalock and make him a 9th inning pinch hitter against closers with big fastballs. Smoak would probably still be the starter.
by cstorm15 on May 16, 2009 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, and Smoak can put up the power numbers while actually getting on base, something Blalock is struggling with.
by cstorm15 on May 16, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Smoak
I suspect he could come pretty close.
I’m not that big on Ramirez.
by Darrell McKown on May 16, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Coupla video clips
Wash talking to the the MLBTV faces
Chris Davis in the lockerroom after his walk-off HR – note the shiner
Sigh ... we are sooo gonna suck again next season.
Rangers Farm Probables
Rangers Video Highlights
by shroomer on May 16, 2009 10:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Damn. Crush looks like he just got the business end of a dogpile
She say she are the manager.
by rockin_rangers on May 16, 2009 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rumor has it that Davis was punched after he slept with Suzanne Dorn
by cstorm15 on May 16, 2009 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He didn't know who she was
he swears
"Hustle doesn't cost a dime and it looks good." - Pete Rose as Channeled by Marcus Lemon
by FirebatM3 on May 16, 2009 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Frank
Is there any word about his ETA lately?
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on May 16, 2009 10:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Jeff Wilson talks about it in his notes
Sounds like Sunday, maybe.
by Adam J. Morris on May 16, 2009 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sigh ... we are sooo gonna suck again next season.
Rangers Farm Probables
Rangers Video Highlights
by shroomer on May 16, 2009 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think of it less as a bullpen meltdown
as it was the refusal of the Angels to be served notice to. I think the Angels are going to fight the Rangers this year like it was the World Series. They’ve caught a whiff of what the Rangers are cooking and they don’t like the smell.
by bhudson on May 16, 2009 10:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think of it
as an umpire meltdown.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on May 16, 2009 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jeff Miller
That guy … he’s a good read.
Maybe you oughta have him guest on the podcast.
Sigh ... we are sooo gonna suck again next season.
Rangers Farm Probables
Rangers Video Highlights
by shroomer on May 16, 2009 10:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He's been a real asset
over there, the 3rd leg in the tripod no one talks about.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on May 16, 2009 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
nelson cruz
I too am concerned about Nelson Cruz sitting two out of the last three games. The explanations from Wash are just not adequate. Cruz need to play every game because he is a masher!
by chadallenfan on May 16, 2009 10:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Washington
Is once again rolling with vetrans instead of letting Cruz work out of his slump.
I hope when Andrus starts to slump we don’t see Vizquel for 3-4 times a week.
by death of the cool on May 16, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep..
I fear the winning will lead to Wash giving up on Nelson. He will be hittign 40+HRs in another jersey
Stop caring about the color of your glove and focus on your pitching.
by Texasportsfan on May 16, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jones poor defense contributed to Angel scoring last
night. I bet Cruz gets the triple to right.
by jcAustin on May 16, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
For the record, balls and strikes for Holland.
Wonderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck now. -- Tenacious D
by rooster on May 16, 2009 10:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That looks like a ton of bullshit
But at least it’s consistent, in that the bottom of the zone was squeezed
She say she are the manager.
by rockin_rangers on May 16, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
stupid ump
can suck a dick. I hope a foul tip breaks his hand in the near future.
by death of the cool on May 16, 2009 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ump consistently
missed the bottom of the zone. in fact, it’s the most missed part of the zone in my opinion. everyone bitches about the high strike not being called, but the bottom of the zone is supposed to be the bottom of the knee. and the hitters stand so far back on the plate, the umps judge where the pitch is too late. basically if the catcher dips his glove below the knee when catching a pitch, it gets called a ball.
Man, I love winning! You know? It's like better than losing!
by SteveP on May 16, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This especially sucks because..
The bottom of the strikezone is where you want to pound. The ump missing these calls is a disgrace.
Stop caring about the color of your glove and focus on your pitching.
by Texasportsfan on May 16, 2009 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The umps have just moved
the strike zone up a few inches when they started calling the “high” strike. The pitchers get a few more high strikes called but now they don’t get the knees strike. That’s a bad tradeoff for pitchers.
by JTodd on May 16, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
........
Kevin Millwood says he could have pitched better, but personally, I think allowing just two runs in 6 innings isn’t anything to sneeze at.
Trying to live up to that Matt Harrison bar I see.
Jeff Zimmerman for President.
by AirJordan on May 16, 2009 10:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Right now, no one can do that
except for Padz.
She say she are the manager.
by rockin_rangers on May 16, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How long does it typically take to get ready after starting throwing?
Did it become 8 months sometime I didn’t notice?
I know it can be a slow process and smoltz for example has been throwing for months(though they say they are being extremely cautious), but it seems like I remember a lot of people being ready in a couple months and the other article about Sheets said he could start throwing right after the tuesday meeting if the reports are good.
If he was ready in late august that could still be a pretty big signing for the rangers to help down the stretch and obviously if the rangers somehow find a way into the playoffs Sheets in a 5 game series would be big.
the preceding post was a great success.
by DSheppard on May 16, 2009 10:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hate to say it
but Feliz may be needed in the bully this year. Especially if Frankie is out for any length of time. Holland definately needs work on throwing his secondary pitches for strikes. That slider looks nice, but I’m worried that hitters will look fastball only unless he starts throwing strikes with his other pitches.
Man, I love winning! You know? It's like better than losing!
by SteveP on May 16, 2009 10:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
A coupla more outings like his last
and I say put him in the pen and let Mustache Jesus work his magic.
Sigh ... we are sooo gonna suck again next season.
Rangers Farm Probables
Rangers Video Highlights
by shroomer on May 16, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mustache Jesus may have legs to it.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on May 16, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh it definitely does
Great nickname.
I also like Mike Madzappa.
by cmkelly29 on May 16, 2009 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was hoping to wait until Sept
But it looks like we need him ASAP.
Stop caring about the color of your glove and focus on your pitching.
by Texasportsfan on May 16, 2009 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Getting over the 9th inning
I was pretty bent after the 9th last night, but I really think a little perspective is in order. Dutch got squeezed and responded by grooving shit because he knew it was his job to throw strikes with that lead in the 9th. O’Day was in a situation he didn’t belong in and showed why. CJ I’m sorry to say looks completely unglued mentally, so I’m not going to try to make excuses for him.
Let’s look at the positives…our guys hung 7 on a guy who has been one of the best starters in the league thus far in the season. Kinsler had been having a bit of a power outage, and he hit 2 bombs and had a couple of really nifty plays in the field. Defense up the middle was great. I don’t know who was wearing that “Hamilton” jersey before the DL, but the guy who came back was the Home Run Derby Josh. The first thing that crossed my mind last night when he hit that dong was, “Christ, I hope he didn’t kill anyone in the upper deck with that.” He is back and the Angels and everyone else should be terrified of the swing he brought back with him. Chris fucking Davis hit a double the other way last night. My eyeballs about fell out of my head and hid under the couch. The Angels are going with a guy tonight on his first start off the DL who is probably on an 80 pitch count or so, and their bullpen is already tired (and sucks on a good day). They’ve got a hell of a lot more to be worried about than we do. If Padz goes 3 up 3 down in the first and makes them look retarded with that eephus curve, we’re all going to get amnesia about the 9th last night.
by Clownballoon on May 16, 2009 10:53 AM CDT reply actions 3 recs
Rec'd
She say she are the manager.
by rockin_rangers on May 16, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good post, but..
Sorry to be “that guy”, but man you’ve got to hit the enter key a few times, I got lost in the middle of that wall of text.
the preceding post was a great success.
by DSheppard on May 16, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
sorry
i’m paying the price for that extra beer last night
by Clownballoon on May 16, 2009 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I skimmed the post because..
The format gave me tired head.
Stop caring about the color of your glove and focus on your pitching.
by Texasportsfan on May 16, 2009 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You have to figure
that the way the pitching had been for a while now, they were due for a bad inning/game (even though you really can’t say it was a bad game because they had the Angels only had 3 runs with one out to go). I think the part that alot of people are forgetting is that the bats finally woke up like Clownbaloon said. If this offense gets rolling the way it can and the pitching remains solid, then the Rangers should easily win the West.
my sig is better than yours
by hinduplaya on May 16, 2009 11:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
JD
should get a ton of credit for this.
From the Tex trade that hauled in 3 major contributers and another blue-chip prospect to asking Young to move to third so that Andrus could start this year. JD has built a team that is on the verge of some special years.
However in the media the only credit I hear is given to Nolan and Mike Maddux….and don’t get me wrong they do deserve credit. Maddux has been doing magic with this pitching staff, and Nolan being here gives the Rangers a face people respect and want to play for.
It just seems now that if something goes right its Nolan….if it goes wrong its JD, even if this teams was basically already constructed by the time Ryan got here.
by death of the cool on May 16, 2009 11:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The key 9th inning stat from last night:
Inherited runners-scored: O’Day 2-2, Wilson 1-0.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
by Rodney on May 16, 2009 11:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
And yet...
…O’Day is awesome and C.J. is teh suck.
That was one of the things that struck me when listening to the post-game show on Thursday as I was driving home…the number of people who called in to bitch about C.J.
by Adam J. Morris on May 16, 2009 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think part is due
to his 2007 season and how he appears to have regressed since then. Not neccesarily his fault. And the ball flip.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
by RangerMad on May 16, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Last 15:
15-Days 6G 1W 0 1SV 5.2IP 4H
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
by Rodney on May 16, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Neither are anything special in my eyes
That is what scares me.
Stop caring about the color of your glove and focus on your pitching.
by Texasportsfan on May 16, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
CJ is the suck.
O’Day hasn’t been around long enough to be the suck.
CJ is the suck, though.
by tyd3311 on May 16, 2009 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ahem
It is “teh suck.” Not “the suck.”
by Adam J. Morris on May 16, 2009 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Meno does not
do typo’s
Stop caring about the color of your glove and focus on your pitching.
by Texasportsfan on May 16, 2009 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
you have to admit
he has a knack for making himself look bad, even if his actual performance isnt nearly as bad.
im fine with him though. i don’t feel safe with him coming in against 3 righties, but hes good enough to be in the bullpen and for high leverage situations that have multiple lefties involved.
the preceding post was a great success.
by DSheppard on May 16, 2009 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And but for Salty's Defense the other night...
….that could have been a disaster of WPs.
by FuturePants on May 16, 2009 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
To me these are the reasons CJ has turned some fans off...
1. Seems to always let one of his first batters reach base (not always his fault) which leads to high anxiety inning.
2. Seems to always fall behind batters 2-0 and 3-1 (many times he does come back and get them) but he just seems to labor through each batter.
3. Losing the closers job last year. I’ve seen people say that he wasn’t that bad as a closer, however if thats the case you would think that he would be closing right now.
4. The Detriot game….probably has still left a sour taste in many peoples mouth.
Washington needs to realize that CJ is a 8th inning LOOGY at this point. That is the way he needs to be used until he shows any different. There is nothing wrong with that…and every good team needs that.
by death of the cool on May 16, 2009 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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