Thoughts on a pair of low scoring losses

Indians 2, Rangers 0/Indians 5, Rangers 1

• That sucked.
• Well, not entirely, I guess, if we look at some individual components from today rather than focusing on the fact that Texas got beat twice while scoring a total of 1 run. So let’s talk about some positives.
• Ariel Jurado had a quality start. He went 7 IP, allowing 2 runs on a Jose Ramirez two run bomb, with just 3 hits and 2 walks, striking out 5. He lowered his ERA to 4.74 and his FIP to 4.62, and it’s hard at this point to say he shouldn’t be in strong consideration for the 2020 rotation. I’m not convinced he’s for real, but the Rangers could do worse.
• And have done worse.
• Hey, another scoreless inning from Emmanuel Clase, who is making people oooh and ahhh on Twitter. He is fun and throws hard, so that’s something.
• Lance Lynn had another quality start, and keeps on quietly performing like a legitimate top of the rotation starter. A signing that was widely viewed as inexplicable this offseason at 3 years, $30 million looks brilliant now, and that third year is especially appealing.
• Willie Calhoun had a homer for the one run of the day. He also had a single, and contributed half of the Rangers four hits in game two. I’m increasingly convinced he’s going to be a solid contributor the next few years.
• Logan Forsythe had a couple of hits. Elvis Andrus got on base three times, all in game one.
• So there’s some positives to take away. The negative is that Texas scored 1 run today, and 2 runs in 3 games. Winning just one of them is kind of miraculous.
• Off day tomorrow. Let’s hope they spend the day looking in their jacket pockets and under the sofa cushions for the missing offense.