Friday a.m. Rangers things
by Adam J. Morris on Aug 19, 2011 9:15 AM CDT
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So close. Three outs away from a four game sweep in Anaheim.
A walk-off loss is always disappointing, but given the events of the previous three games, you can't be too upset about how things turned out. Taking three of four from the Angels, with the one loss being the game that set up as the most difficult matchup anyway, is a good outcome.
Jeff Wilson's game story in the S-T says the Rangers aren't taking the A.L. West for granted, despite the six game lead.
In T.R. Sullivan's game story, Mike Adams says he was trying to get the ball down to Mark Trumbo and induce a double play, but left his pitch out over the plate, and Trumbo took advantage of the bad location.
Richard Durrett has his thoughts on the loss at the ESPN Dallas blog.
Evan Grant has a piece on yesterday's game behind the paywall.
Durrett asks, what Ranger has surprised you the most this year, and runs through his candidates.
Evan Grant writes about the Jered Weaver/Mike Napoli kerfluffle last night at the DMN blog.
Wilson writes that, while the Rangers have a sizeable lead, the Angels have the easier schedule going forward, and thus A.L. West is still in play.
The S-T's notes talk about Neftali Feliz being secure in his closer role, Mitch Moreland's recent hot streak, and the addition of Tim Wood.
Sullivan's notes cover those topics as well, and also go into the Rangers' offensive performance on the road.
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Sigh.
Wanted this
got this
"...out of the shadows of unprecedented success, the sun shines down upon this team waiting to thrill anew." - ghostofErikThompson
Most surprising...
for me has to be Harrison.
I’d say Ogando is second. We knew he could be good with what he did last year, but this good as a starter? Then I’d go with Young, Chavez, and Napoli.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
I'd flip the top two.
I thought Ogando would be OK in the rotation, but that he’d tire out in the second half and the Rangers would have to find another option. But he’s been a lot better than OK for a lot longer than I expected.
But you’re right about Harry. He has been a pleasant surprise.
"How you play the game is for college ball. When you're playing for money, winning is the only thing that matters." -- Leo Durocher.
by CrustytheCowboy on Aug 19, 2011 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions
You can hardly argue with a 6-1 start to a this road trip...
Get through the next couple of weeks with a 5 or 6 game lead and it’s over.
"There are two times in my life the hairs on my arms stood up: The first time I saw the Sistine Chapel and the first time I saw Sandy Koufax throw a fastball."
by GhostofSteveFoucault on Aug 19, 2011 9:32 AM CDT reply actions
Today's NMLR
I get that last night Adams was the player for whom the 9th was the role.
But I don’t get why leaving Lowe in is such a controversial idea. Not because of any history with Lowe doing two innings, but because his stuff was SO exceptional last night, and he’d thrown 11 pitches.
Is it fine leaving him in if the score isn’t so close?
Not trying to start shit, just to understand.
Go Strangers.
I don't see why it is up for discussion
How often do Wash/Maddux leave any of Uehara/Lowe/Adams/Feliz in for back to back full innings? Almost never if someone from that same group is available to pitch the next inning.
This is a really weird thing to second guess.
was listening to the game on radio last night
and thought it would be nice to have Lowe come back out for the 9th but I knew it wouldn’t happen.
This is a really weird thing to second guess.
While I’m reading that I’m envisioning Mark Lowe’s slider.
If Lowe pitched an alright shutout inning, I post nothing today.
Again, there was no competition between Lowe and Angels batters during the 8th.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Aug 19, 2011 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions
How do you know it would have been like that in the 2nd inning?
How often does Lowe pitch 2 consecutive innings? I don’t think it is right to assume Lowe comes back out there with the same stuff. Relievers are creatures of habit.
I also don't see how you can assume, after a fantastic 8th inning
Lowe would come out and throw complete shit out there.
It’s like it’s a given that Lowe can only pitch one fantastic inning. No more. That seems less likely than Lowe coming out and dominating again, to me.
"I don't really like pitchers." - Nelson Cruz
This is why you traded for Adams though
If you don’t use him in that situation, when would you?
by Dirk Diggler on Aug 19, 2011 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Right.
This is hindsight at it’s finest.
Adams has been perhaps THE most consistent and dominant relief pitcher for almost three years.
Mariano Rivera gave up two HR in the three game series against the Angels a week ago.
It happens.
"I'll text AJM a picture of my junk if he wants to use it" by ab03 on Jul 7, 2011 9:30 PM CDT
The fact that everyone noticed how exceptional Lowe's stuff was last night is part of the issue
His stuff isn’t normally that dominant, and it’s entirely possible that it wouldn’t be coming back out for his second inning of work. Then we’re all sitting here thinking “WHY DIDN’T WASH BRING IN ADAMS?”
Wash made the right play, it just didn’t work out. It’s the move you make 100/100 times.
Ever been in a boardroom, or a gang fight? Ever save a life? Ever won a court case against the odds? Ever held a dying buddy in your arms?.- jackanape on "perspective," 11/8/2010.
"do you a jet ski rental place would work here" - Mike E, 5/10/2011, in response to me saying I would rather face the Thunder than the Grizzlies in the WCF.
AJM got a shoutout on Ben & Skin this morning.
by I am Neftali Feliz on Aug 19, 2011 9:39 AM CDT reply actions
They quoted your tweet about it being the least painful walk off loss.
"I'll text AJM a picture of my junk if he wants to use it" by ab03 on Jul 7, 2011 9:30 PM CDT
Specifically I think Skin [or Ben... not really sure] said, "I'm with Adam Morris of Lone Star Ball on this one"
And then quoted your tweet.
"I'll text AJM a picture of my junk if he wants to use it" by ab03 on Jul 7, 2011 9:30 PM CDT
If . . .
. . . that home run comes off Lewis in the 3rd inning or something, then we grimace at the end of the game and say, “Oh, well, it was good try, and we still won 3 of 4.” What makes last night’s loss so painful is that Lewis actually matched Weaver’s success IN THEIR STADIUM. Colby’s been good, but I don’t think too many fans would have predicted that. Wasting that performance hurts a bit more.
Still, if the Rangers go 19-18 over the rest of the season, the Angels have to play better than .667 ball (25-12) to tie them. Not too shabby.
Colby has had games like last night this season
Going into last night since his back to back blowups in June Colby has had a 2.96 ERA with almost a K per inning and nearly 3.5:1 K:BB ratio.
The reason it hasn’t been getting the attention is because it hasn’t been flashy. He didn’t have back to back CGSO’s like Holland or anything like that. Hes just a rock solid guy. His fastball isn’t upper 90’s but as you saw last night it can be great especially when he has that deadly slider which was damn near orgasmic last night.
Since Colbys ERA peaked in late April at 6.95 after his first 4 starts here are his numbers.
3.51 ERA
~7.8 K/9
~3.45:1 K:BB
That includes those back to back blowouts in June. The HRs are tough to watch sometimes but Colby has been pretty damn amazing for most of the season.
By comparison in the same timeframe Alexi Ogando’s numbers look like this
3.60 ERA
~6.9 K/9
~3:1 K:BB
Ogando has averaged just a tick over 6 innings per start in that span with Colby averaging over 6.5 innings per start.
T-minus 38 minutes until Adam's article on Young and the MVP race.
I didn’t think that Face had a shot in hell of even being top five [though likely in the 5-10 range]. I’m sure after Adam’s article he’ll end up winning.
"I'll text AJM a picture of my junk if he wants to use it" by ab03 on Jul 7, 2011 9:30 PM CDT
heh
I think what is funny is that there is a big difference between people arguing whether MY should win and whether he could win. I havne’t seen anyone say that he should be MVP. The MVP race is a screwy voting system, and it is even possible for a guy to win the whole thing without receiving a single first place vote. I think Adam is getting all grumpy about something that no one has actually said.
Go Rice Owls!
Would be a Matt Harrison fan, but I only like superstars
I don't think so.
Adam’s problem is with the “he should be in the conversation” argument. You’re right that nobody is arguing that face should be the MVP, but if he shouldn’t be the MVP, why should he be in the conversation?
Ever been in a boardroom, or a gang fight? Ever save a life? Ever won a court case against the odds? Ever held a dying buddy in your arms?.- jackanape on "perspective," 11/8/2010.
"do you a jet ski rental place would work here" - Mike E, 5/10/2011, in response to me saying I would rather face the Thunder than the Grizzlies in the WCF.
Lawyer's can be so annoying sometimes
Who cares?
by hedowhathedo on Aug 19, 2011 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions
At least lawyers don't overuse apostrophes
/jerkwhoworksineducation
Any children caught doing the Wave will be sold to the circus.- Chuck Morgan
I've decided that the Angels are really zombies. You shoot them, club them, hammer them, decapitate them, and they just keep shambling on after you.- iblum
by WildcatPhoenix on Aug 19, 2011 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions
Therefore, Adrian Gonzalez should not be in the conversation for MVP because he shouldn't win MVP?
by hedowhathedo on Aug 19, 2011 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions
No, Adrian Gonzalez absolutely could win the MVP
He would be a solid, if not ideal, choice.
Therefore, he should be in the conversation.
Ever been in a boardroom, or a gang fight? Ever save a life? Ever won a court case against the odds? Ever held a dying buddy in your arms?.- jackanape on "perspective," 11/8/2010.
"do you a jet ski rental place would work here" - Mike E, 5/10/2011, in response to me saying I would rather face the Thunder than the Grizzlies in the WCF.
That's not what you said
“If he shouldn’t be the MVP, why should he be in the conversation.”
I agree completely that A. Gonzalez should be in the conversation.
by hedowhathedo on Aug 19, 2011 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions
You can make a plausible argument that Adrian Gonzalez should win the MVP of the American League.
That means he should be in the conversation.
People around here (and in other places, especially our local media) have tried to posit that Michael Young should be “in the conversation,” too, but none of them have made a plausible argument for why he should win.
Saying that he should be in the conversation means that you think he should be rewarded and recognized for the incredible season he has had, but there are other ways to do that short of forcing his inclusion in the MVP race.
Ever been in a boardroom, or a gang fight? Ever save a life? Ever won a court case against the odds? Ever held a dying buddy in your arms?.- jackanape on "perspective," 11/8/2010.
"do you a jet ski rental place would work here" - Mike E, 5/10/2011, in response to me saying I would rather face the Thunder than the Grizzlies in the WCF.
But he is in the conversation.
I am certain he will get many votes. He’s just unlikely to get many [or possibly ANY] first place votes.
I expect Young to get plenty of 3rd to 10th place votes and finish around 6th or 7th.
"I'll text AJM a picture of my junk if he wants to use it" by ab03 on Jul 7, 2011 9:30 PM CDT
I couldn't disagree with this more
Just because someone shouldn’t win doesn’t mean they aren’t in the conversation. Wow, that’s like a triple negative. I’m keeping it for dramatic effect, haha.
by hedowhathedo on Aug 19, 2011 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions
So I love the fact
that every time through the rotation only one guy seems to suck, and the others are all great. And it is always a different guy it seems.
This rotation rocks – Colby – you’re awesome.
Go Rice Owls!
Would be a Matt Harrison fan, but I only like superstars
Bullpen too
W/o looking super close, it seems the same way out there. Blowups aren’t happening consistently to any of them. There have been some cough ups, but it’s not often, and it’s not often the same guy twice in a row.
Go Ranger Pitching! (still feels weird to type)
My guess would be Oliver or Feldman.
Oliver’s role (LOOGY still right?) is diminished by the fact that we have Uehara and Adams.
Four starter playoff rotation, the odd guy out can be the long man. This is my thinking anyway.
Apologies to anyone that already posted this...
…but Thor is an impostor. Dirk is the true God of Thunder
by Steve Estep on May 23, 2011 9:46 PM PDT
by AfterSchoolSpecial on Aug 19, 2011 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Probably Feldman unless he looks great and Oliver falters
Even if Oliver isn’t needed as much with Uehara and Adams here, Oliver is the better pitcher to face just 1 or 2 batters. That’s what we’ll need in the playoffs with the odd man out from the rotation going to the bullpen anyways.
"In fact, most of these free-swinging Padres couldn’t hit Dock’s funky palm ball. I threw it often. But by then, also, the first acid distractions entered: the TV flickered; the cracks in the wall started to move; the hand soap started to breathe — those sorts of things. Plus I was drawn to the outdoor garden between innings. Rain was near, I sensed." - A.J. Daulerio
Weaver = douche
and reminds me why I love Naps soo much.
NO This is why i dont come here so much anymore. it has become a destination for certain types which i am not.
Love the rangers, not this -- Mark from OC on Arrested Development
Yahoo Sports front page is trying reeeeeeeeeal damn hard
to sell the fucking Angels as a contender. Fucking pathetic. We take 3 out of 4 (and almost complete the sweep) and suddenly it’s a “momentum shift.”
Narratives indeed.
Any children caught doing the Wave will be sold to the circus.- Chuck Morgan
I've decided that the Angels are really zombies. You shoot them, club them, hammer them, decapitate them, and they just keep shambling on after you.- iblum
by WildcatPhoenix on Aug 19, 2011 10:06 AM CDT reply actions
Momentum!!!
"There are two times in my life the hairs on my arms stood up: The first time I saw the Sistine Chapel and the first time I saw Sandy Koufax throw a fastball."
by GhostofSteveFoucault on Aug 19, 2011 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions
I think you're reading too much into it
by Adam J. Morris on Aug 19, 2011 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions
Did you not read the Tim Brown (granted, there's yer problem right there) article a week ago
about the Angels being the new “scrappy underdog” to root for now that the Pirates have plummeted?
Any children caught doing the Wave will be sold to the circus.- Chuck Morgan
I've decided that the Angels are really zombies. You shoot them, club them, hammer them, decapitate them, and they just keep shambling on after you.- iblum
by WildcatPhoenix on Aug 19, 2011 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions
No
But I also don’t think their coverage today is pathetic.
by Adam J. Morris on Aug 19, 2011 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions
I present, for your amusement, August 8
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ti-brown_angels_scioscia_offense_contending_080811
Any children caught doing the Wave will be sold to the circus.- Chuck Morgan
I've decided that the Angels are really zombies. You shoot them, club them, hammer them, decapitate them, and they just keep shambling on after you.- iblum
by WildcatPhoenix on Aug 19, 2011 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions
I would rather them say "You're fucked, Southern Cal. None of your teams are worth shit right now and you have no hope."
“GL with that.”
Ever been in a boardroom, or a gang fight? Ever save a life? Ever won a court case against the odds? Ever held a dying buddy in your arms?.- jackanape on "perspective," 11/8/2010.
"do you a jet ski rental place would work here" - Mike E, 5/10/2011, in response to me saying I would rather face the Thunder than the Grizzlies in the WCF.
Remaining Schedule - Texas Rangers
East (13):
Red Sox – 4 home, 3 road
Rays – 3 home, 3 road
Central (6):
Indians – 3 home
White Sox – 3 road
West (18):
Mariners – 3 home, 3 road
Athletics – 3 home, 3 road
Angels – 3 home, 3 road
Next 3 Series:
@ White Sox (Peavy, Danks, Floyd)
vs Boston (/Bedard, Lackey, Beckett, Wakefield)
vs LAA (Haren, Santana, Pineiro)*
*Angels have off days on Monday and Thursday of next week. Rotation could be shuffled.
Bedard, Lackey and Wakefield.
Mmm.
"I'll text AJM a picture of my junk if he wants to use it" by ab03 on Jul 7, 2011 9:30 PM CDT
Remaining Schedule: Los Angeles Angels
East (13):
Yankees – 3 home
Blue Jays – 4 road
Orioles – 3 home, 3 road
Central (5):
Twins – 3 home
White Sox – 2 home
West: (19)
Mariners – 3 home, 4 road
Athletics – 3 home, 3 road
Rangers – 3 home, 3 road
Next 3 Series:
vs Orioles (Reyes, Hunter, TBD)
vs White Sox (Buehrle, Humber?)
@ Rangers (Holland, Wilson, Lewis)
Angels calling up Trout again
I’m not sure what to think. Bobby Wilson getting sent down or Russel Branyan getting released.
Still not sure who replaces Chatwood in the rotation. That won’t matter until around 10 days from now anyways.
I'm kinda surprised
#cubs announce gm jim hendry has been dismissed
Writing was on the wall but for some reason I just figured it wouldn’t happen.
Curious who they'll replace him with.
Imagine what they would do with a good GM.
"I'll text AJM a picture of my junk if he wants to use it" by ab03 on Jul 7, 2011 9:30 PM CDT
This is the time where I'm worried it will be Thad Levine or AJ Preller
Those guys are knocking on the door.
I was afraid to say it.
But that’s precisely what I meant.
"I'll text AJM a picture of my junk if he wants to use it" by ab03 on Jul 7, 2011 9:30 PM CDT
BUT THEY LOVE INTERNATIONAL SCOUTING TOO MUCH
"...out of the shadows of unprecedented success, the sun shines down upon this team waiting to thrill anew." - ghostofErikThompson
I try to be philosophical about that possibility.
They’re good baseball people and they deserve a shot at the big seat.
Of course, would hate to see them go.
"How you play the game is for college ball. When you're playing for money, winning is the only thing that matters." -- Leo Durocher.
by CrustytheCowboy on Aug 19, 2011 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
I would be more worried of the Cubs taking another team's GM, actually.
They may be more interested in someone established.
Ever been in a boardroom, or a gang fight? Ever save a life? Ever won a court case against the odds? Ever held a dying buddy in your arms?.- jackanape on "perspective," 11/8/2010.
"do you a jet ski rental place would work here" - Mike E, 5/10/2011, in response to me saying I would rather face the Thunder than the Grizzlies in the WCF.
I meant more worried if I was another team that they might steal my GM.
I should have worded that better. I don’t think JD is going anywhere.
Ever been in a boardroom, or a gang fight? Ever save a life? Ever won a court case against the odds? Ever held a dying buddy in your arms?.- jackanape on "perspective," 11/8/2010.
"do you a jet ski rental place would work here" - Mike E, 5/10/2011, in response to me saying I would rather face the Thunder than the Grizzlies in the WCF.
After the Vernon Wells deal/Beltre/Crawford fiasco
I’m not sure McDonalds would hire Tony Reagins.
Any children caught doing the Wave will be sold to the circus.- Chuck Morgan
I've decided that the Angels are really zombies. You shoot them, club them, hammer them, decapitate them, and they just keep shambling on after you.- iblum
by WildcatPhoenix on Aug 19, 2011 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't know about that
IMO the Haren deal outweighs the Wells deal. The Haren deal has made this team a competitor even with the Wells deal. It was an exceptional deal for the Angels. I’m still bitter.
Reagins hasn’t been horrible outside of the Wells deal.
Dude, the Wells deal is fucking terrible.
It will have more lasting negative effect than the Haren deal will positive.
Ever been in a boardroom, or a gang fight? Ever save a life? Ever won a court case against the odds? Ever held a dying buddy in your arms?.- jackanape on "perspective," 11/8/2010.
"do you a jet ski rental place would work here" - Mike E, 5/10/2011, in response to me saying I would rather face the Thunder than the Grizzlies in the WCF.
Quite possibly
I’m not sold on that yet. So far the Haren Deal’s positive has far outweighed the Wells negative. We’ll see going forward.
That's the problem.
There’s still 63 million reasons after this year to hate the Wells trade.
Ever been in a boardroom, or a gang fight? Ever save a life? Ever won a court case against the odds? Ever held a dying buddy in your arms?.- jackanape on "perspective," 11/8/2010.
"do you a jet ski rental place would work here" - Mike E, 5/10/2011, in response to me saying I would rather face the Thunder than the Grizzlies in the WCF.
The bigger issue than Wells (which was a classic panic move)
was the botching of Carl Crawford during the offseason. That was amateurish, and widely lambasted in the LA media (and on HH and whatnot).
As for Haren, I blame the Diamondbacks more than I credit Reagins. Maybe I’m just being a Rangers homer, but that was one helluva lopsided trade.
Any children caught doing the Wave will be sold to the circus.- Chuck Morgan
I've decided that the Angels are really zombies. You shoot them, club them, hammer them, decapitate them, and they just keep shambling on after you.- iblum
by WildcatPhoenix on Aug 19, 2011 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Of course
Point taken.
Any children caught doing the Wave will be sold to the circus.- Chuck Morgan
I've decided that the Angels are really zombies. You shoot them, club them, hammer them, decapitate them, and they just keep shambling on after you.- iblum
by WildcatPhoenix on Aug 19, 2011 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions
The two trades are wildly different.
Ever been in a boardroom, or a gang fight? Ever save a life? Ever won a court case against the odds? Ever held a dying buddy in your arms?.- jackanape on "perspective," 11/8/2010.
"do you a jet ski rental place would work here" - Mike E, 5/10/2011, in response to me saying I would rather face the Thunder than the Grizzlies in the WCF.
Random Twitter Writer
With Hendry out, there’s no reason for the Cubs not to #HireKimNg
That would excite me. I really hope it happens.
I haven't had a chance to look at the GDT threads from last night
…but was the Yorvit running of the fat BB kid adequately LOL’d?
The missus and I were howling and several rewinds were had.
DFA Knox.
Halos Heaven
Just hopped on their fan page. I think they are sensing the inevitable. Apparently some of our loyal contigent out there was drowning out the HOme town fans. Good to see our force growing. They all have Trumboners today, but know the future is decided.
RIP Halos 2011.
"Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back."
There's been some speculation
that the Twins will put Thome on waivers now that he’s hit 600 to try to move him to a contender… do the Rangers make a claim? Hell… does he get past the Angels/Indians/Tigers?
"The Rangers system just happens to be stupid with depth." - Jason Parks, 7/14/11
2011-07-25 17:44:05 - benjihana: Ahh my backdoor!!!
Who do the Rangers drop from the 25 man roster to add him?
And I’d be mildly surprised if Thome hasn’t been run through waivers earlier in the month.
by Adam J. Morris on Aug 19, 2011 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions
I think, since they're only using him as a PR
they’d option Gentry, and then recall him on 9/1
"The Rangers system just happens to be stupid with depth." - Jason Parks, 7/14/11
2011-07-25 17:44:05 - benjihana: Ahh my backdoor!!!
What surprises me
I think the Rangers Pitching, Starting and relief is now one of the best in baseball from top to bottom. The quality is just outstanding. Clearly the Disney Angels were outclassed in pitching in general as well as offense. I don’t think either Boston or NY equal the rangers pitching depth at this point, I think they can go all the way.
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