Alexi Ogando removed from playoff roster, Dustin Nippert added

if there’s a game 7 that’ll be sweet.

but if nippert is in the game, the rangers have already lost.

if blanco is in the game it’s as a late inning replacement for young with the rangers up by 10 runs?

i doubt we see either.

Young isn’t going anywhere. But yeah, Nippert’s chances aren’t so great either- maybe if it’s like 17th inning or something he’ll make an appearance, but other than that…

so Lee just needs to go 8

Feliz went 2+ innings 8 times in 2009. He needs to be used for 4, 5, or 6 outs in any or all of the 3 games remaining this year.

He is just forbidden to use it.

I’m not sure how well his 2 pitch arsenal would do against ML hitters if he’s being asked to go through a lineup at least 2 full times. How is his stamina going to be if he has to throw that mid-high 90s fastball for 5 or 6 innings? And there’s also the issue he apparently has working from the stretch, but that’s something that needs to be worked on regardless. And at his age, its tough to see him having more value in the rotation (on a team planning to contend) than in the bullpen. Especially if you plan on moving Feliz to the rotation at some point.

The bullpen showed up well enough against the Yankees and the Rays, but the bats were hot. Somehow, Franky just never had anyone step up and take his place, although I thought Ogando was that person. It’s interesting how so many lefties seemed effective against the Yanks and Rays out of the bullpen, but the Rangers just don’t have the right handers without Franky to deal with the Giants. Losing Ogando could be disastrous.

He has had his ups and downs, but he does not seem to be wearing down, even now in the postseason. I think his conditioning has a lot to do with that. I would think that he should be able to do even better next year since he won’t be making such a huge leap again. He should be good to go for 200+ next year. Now cutting down on his walk totals on the other hand…

We’re all going to remember the great starting pitching the Rangers had available at the end of the year, but we counted on a good to great bullpen that was considered at that level in part because of the number of innings that they pitched. With the seeming depth behind them, none of us really predicted how quickly the team would tear through it and have a distinct weakness there.

I know he is a hard worker and practices his health and fitness routine regularly, but the innings can’t be ignored, and the pitch counts that all our guys had were problematic. It didn’t make sense this year, we had some of the highest avg pitch counts from our starters and one of the most worked bullpens in baseball. How does that work?

There are so many reasons to sign Cliff Lee other than the fact that he is an ace. Saving our bullpen is definitely one , along with his influence on the pitching staff, especially the young lefties Holland, Harrison, Kirkman, Perez (and even Wilson).

and then just bring up Frankie. He might not even get into a game but they could make the Giants tense up thinking about it. That’s probably worth more than Mark Lowe at this point because I doubt the Rangers are going to use him unless they’re about to lose which means the season is about to be end anyway.

I’d venture a guess to say none. Holland has probably been the 3rd best guy, but his display in game 2 was the worst I have seen. I’m really glad he pitched a nice top of the 9th yesterday.

The Darren O’s have absolutely shit themselves and are going to give up runs.

Lowe, Kirkman, and Nippert are, well, just not that good at this point. I’d have the most confidence in Kirkman, but he’s been unable to consistently get anybody out, so these 3 are benchwarmers.

so, we have Feliz. Holland is hit or miss. Darren O’s are good to give up at least 1 run. If you want to give up more runs, bring in our bottom 3. Yep, our starters need to go at least 7 or 8.

or do they ever put Torres over there? Is that lineup totally messed up? Or would they have Ross in RF (where he has primarily been) and one of Torres/Rowand in LF