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Good morning.
Levi Weaver recaps the Rangers’ 3-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles in what might have been the most unremarkable game of the season which is pretty remarkable considering the history between the two teams.
Evan Grant writes that it wasn’t so much that they lost but the way in which they fell that made last night’s game especially depressing for a team trying to get on a roll.
Jeff Wilson reacts to the flaccid loss by wondering what’s up with the post-All-Star break offense. It was ominous when they were getting no-hit by Jason Hammel. It wasn’t surprising when they couldn’t score off Danny Duffy. It was curious when Ian Kennedy had their number but that was a Yu Darvish start, these things are expected. A game started by Andrew Cashner in Baltimore against the Orioles and you score just one run, though? Sound the alarm!
T.R. Sullivan notes that the Rangers have an ERA of 2.34 since the break but are 2-2 because they’ve hit .177 and scored ten runs in the four games including just five in the last three.
Grant writes on how Alex Claudio has ascended to unofficial no roles closer except not really even though he’s totally been closing games.
Samuel Hale formulates a trade idea for the Rangers to rid themselves of Shin-Soo Choo’s contract while not really selling on this season.
Sullivan has notes on a trio of rehabbing Rangers as Keone Kela could be back as soon as today, Jake Diekman will pitch off a mound this week, and A.J. Griffin should join Round Rock this Thursday.
Wilson writes that with Kela returning the Rangers are in a roster crunch where they’d like to keep Drew Robinson but are still unclear on if he can play shortstop which would allow them to ditch Pete Kozma.
Sullivan writes that if the Rangers buy at the deadline, it will probably be for left-handed relief as Claudio is the only lefty in the ‘pen and he’s closing games these days.
Toot toot! All aboard the Cole Ragans Hype Express! Johnathan Curley recaps Ragans’ latest gem for Spokane which saw Ragans toss six shutout innings with eight strikeouts and just two walks. Last year’s first round pick has now struck out 42 in 29 innings.
Sullivan previews tonight’s game between the Rangers and O’s with Tyson Ross the final Ranger starter set to make his second half debut. Dylan Bundy will pitch for Baltimore.
And, lastly, thanks to Levi, the true, untold story of Chuck Morgan and the Dot Race has finally been told.
Have a good day!