As long as I can remember, the line on the Rangers was always that they’d be dangerous if they could ever find some pitching. Scoring runs in the Texas heat was no major challenge (though scoring runs on the road often was), it was preventing them that was the trick. Well, last year the Rangers were the fourth stingiest team in the junior circut, but it wasn’t so much that they found some pitchers (though they have several talented young arms in development) but that they found some fielders.
The Rangers were dead last in the majors in defensive efficiency in 2008, but climbed all the way to third in the AL (seventh overall) in 2009 thanks in large part to the arrival of defense-first shortstop prospect Elvis Andrus and late-blooming all-around right-field talent Nelson Cruz, and massive improvement in the field by star second baseman Ian Kinsler (who currently on the DL with a sprained ankle). This year, they’re mixing in speedy center fielder Julio Borbon, which has the added advantage of pushing Josh Hamilton to left field, thus giving the Rangers an above-average defender in all three pastures. Chris Davis, a repurposed third baseman, is also capable of athletic play at first base and could soon be pushed by top prospect Justin Smoak, who is considered even better afield, and though Michael Young has long been a liability in the field (his 2008 Gold Glove was completely undeserved), his having a year of experience at third base under his belt can only help his play at the hot corner. They’ve done it quietly, but the Rangers have added their names to the rapidly expanding list of American League teams that have greatly improved themselves by using the rising tide of their defense to lift their pitching boats.
That’s good, because for all of the pitching talent the Rangers have in their system, they’re still a season or two away from reaping their fruits. Top prospects Derek Holland and Neftali Feliz reached the majors last year, but lefty Holland has opened 2010 back in Triple-A, and fireballing Feliz, a starting prospect, is still biding his time in the bullpen (though two early blown saves by Frank Francisco have already moved him into the closer’s job). The next arm on the list, Venezuelan lefty Martin Perez, is a 19-year-old trying to find his feet in Double-A.
In the meantime, with Holland back in the minors, Feliz in the pen, and middling home grown arms such as Tommy Hunter and Eric Hurley on the disabled list, the major league rotation continues to be patchwork. Scott Feldman and Matt Harrision (the latter of whom came over from the Braves in the Mark Teixeira trade along with Feliz, Andrus, and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who is also on the DL) are in their proper spots, but the Rangers had to turn to free agency, Japan, and their own bullpen to fill the other three.
Lefty C.J. Wilson, who faces CC Sabathia tonight, posted a 6.02 ERA as the team’s closer in 2008, dominated as a set-up man/replacement closer last year, and enters this season having made just six major league starts, all in his rookie year of 2005. He has strike-out stuff and dominated the Blue Jays in his first start, but missed his last due to illness and could wear down as the season progresses given that he’s never thrown more than 74 innings in a major league season. Colby Lewis, who took Wilson’s turn on Wednesday, was a first-supplemental round pick by the Rangers in 1999, but passed through four other organizations and then spent two years pitching in Japan before making a surprise return to the Texas rotation this April.
Finally, there’s Rich Harden, the former A’s prospect who signed a one-year, $7.5 million deal to be the Rangers’ default ace this year. Harden, who will face Andy Pettitte on Sunday, has true number-one stuff, but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy long enough to throw 150 big league innings in a single season since 2004. Given that he is being charged with replacing the 198 2/3 innings and 3.67 ERA the team got from Kevin Millwood in 2009, Harden is actually something of a downgrade, despite his talent.
There are enough question marks in the Rangers’ rotation that the team will have to continue to rely on its gloves and bats to compete in the American League West. Texas has the every-day players to get away with that, but there are questions there as well. Will Josh Hamilton stay healthy? Is Vlad Guerrero finished? Can Chris Davis (who struck out 150 times in 113 games last year while posting a .284 on-base percentage) make contact and get on base, and if not how soon will Smoak be ready? How much will Michael Young regress from his huge 2009 season? Can Nelson Cruz repeat his breakout ’09 season at age 29? How will Kinsler’s ankle recover, and how quickly? What will Julio Borbon contribute from the leadoff spot? Will any of the catching prospects hit?
Though the season is just nine games old, the Rangers have thus far shown more ability to keep runs off the board than to put them on it. That’s a nice change of pace for the franchise, but it won’t bring them the division which, with the Angels having slipped a bit on their perch, is within their reach for the first time since the last millennium.
Texas Rangers
2009 Record: 87-75 (.537)
2009 Pythagorean Record: 85-77 (.525)
Manager: Ron Washington
General Manager: Jon Daniels
Home Ballpark: Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
Bill James Park Indexes (2007-2009):
LH Avg-100, LH HR-117
RH Avg-107, RH HR-110
Who’s Replacing Whom:
- Vladimir Guerrero replaces Hank Blalock
- Josh Hamilton and Julio Borbon take over the playing time of Marlon Byrd
- Ryan Garko replaces Andruw Jones
- Andres Blanco replaces Omar Vizquel
- Joaquin Arias is filling in for Ian Kinsler (DL)
- Matt Treanor is filling in for Jarrod Saltalamacchia (DL)
- Rich Harden replaces Kevin Millwood
- Matt Harrison inherits Vicente Padilla’s starts
- C.J. Wilson replaces Derek Holland’s starts and half of Brandon McCarthy (both minors)
- Colby Lewis replaces Tommy Hunter (DL) and the other half of McCarthy
- Darren Oliver replaces C.J. Wilson in the bullpen
- Chris Ray replaces Eddie Guardado and half of Jason Jennings
- Neftali Feliz inherits the other half of Jason Jennings’ innings
25-man roster:
1B – Chris Davis (L)
2B – Joaquin Arias (R)
SS – Elvis Andrus (R)
3B – Michael Young (R)
C – Taylor Teagarden (R)
RF – Nelson Cruz (RF)
CF – Julio Borbon (L)
LF – Josh Hamilton (L)
DH – Vladimir Guerrero (R)
Bench:
L – David Murphy (OF)
R – Ryan Garko (1B)
S – Andrew Blanco (IF)
R – Matt Treanor (C)
Rotation:
R – Scott Feldman
R – Rich Harden
L – C.J. Wilson
R – Colby Lewis
L – Matt Harrison
Bullpen:
R – Neftali Feliz
R – Frank Francisco
R – Darren O’Day
L – Darren Oliver
R – Chris Ray
R – Doug Mathis
R – Dustin Nippert
Lineup:
L – Julio Borbon (CF)
R – Michael Young (3B)
L – Josh Hamilton (LF)
R – Vladimir Guerrero (DH)
R – Nelson Cruz (RF)
R – Chris Davis (1B)
R – Joaquin Arias (2B)
R – Taylor Teagarden (C)
R – Elvis Andrus
15-day DL:
2B – Ian Kinsler (sprained right ankle)
C – Jarrod Saltalamacchia (back and shoulder stiffness)
RHP – Tommy Hunter (left oblique strain)
60-day DL:
RHP – Warner Madrigal (forearm tightness)
RHP – Eric Hurley (torn rotator cuff)
It seems like such a different team. Well, should be a fun series.
My main hope today is that CC is stellar. I'm looking forward to this one.
Following up on Diane's note earlier today: Mike Cameron doesn't need an appendectomy. He passed a kidney stone.
Yeah, I've passed a kidney stone too, once in my life, and I'll line up with "everybody Francona talked to". Whew. Serious. You don't ever want to know.
[2] that is waaaaay high up on my list of things i never want to experience. many common foods are on that list, as well. ; )
have a good game, all. i'm off to 2 gigs.
later.
GO YANKS!!!
How's the weather looking? It's pretty wet up here.
Let's go, CC!
Nick Swisher, multi-millionaire, who can eat at any restaurant he wants...thinks Chipotle is the best restaurant ever.
Oh no, not the "personal catcher" story again.
There's another hit/probable run that Thames (not Gardner) costs us
Texas 1, Thames 0
Aliens at the ballpark?
Hooray for passed balls!
Damn, the Yankees aren't on here. I'm watching the Sox on NESN.
[7] Not watching or listening, but I assume that Cervelli is now being touted as CC's personal catcher? As annoying as that is, if they are going to punt offense at C it might as well be when CC pitches.
Driving home, I was thinking, "The Rays will be running wild in Fenway tonight." Then I heard that V-Mart was sitting this one out... but of course, his replacement is Captain Facemask, so they're still running wild. Evan Longoria just stole second with no throw. Evan Longoria, speed demon.
[13] [14] Speaking of personal catchers...
Nice inning, CC.
[13] No, Kay was taking pains to say that it was simply that Jorge had played the last few games and got a bit beat up yesterday. But still, that just keeps the meme alive.
What, wait...did I see that Chan Ho Park is on the DL?
I just noticed that the Rays are all wearing #42. No idea why they're a day late.
[17] Ah, I see.
[18] Hamstring.
[19] Did they have an off day yesterday?
I have to say, I know that it is meant as an honor to Jackie Robinson, but I really don't like when the league imposes practices that interfere with the teams' uniforms, regardless the worthiness of the cause..
[21] Who's the replacement?
[22] Yeah, they did, must be why. I dunno, one day a year, I kind of like it. (Partly because everyone has Mo's number.)
[23] Boone Logan. But they didn't know if he'd get to the Bronx in time.
Ah, Big Papi goes down swinging.
[24] Boone Logan. That's worth it just to read Mattpat's various reactions (various, that is, meaning various degrees of outrage).
Hey now, Big Fella!
[25] Hm, like the airport threat levels. "Today's Mattpat outrage level is: ORANGE."
Just looking at Gameday, but it appears CC is dealing, huh?
Hey everyone. Home from my sons bday dinner. Holy mokes, CC is dealing.
Kim Jones reported that Boone Logan is at the ballpark.
I AM in a world of shit.
Don't break Nick Johnson!
He was safe.
Is this NL appreciation day or something. This game might be over in 2:20.
[33] Joe West Appreciation Day.
This is a great half inning in Fenway.
Crawford reaches when Scutaro boots a grounder. Crawford steals second (not close). Ben Zobrist hits a chopper to third, and Beltre loses it in the lights; Carl scores easily. The chopper is scored H & RBI.
Zobrist steals second.
Ugh, Longoria strikes out, too bad, that could have been a real morale-killing inning.
[35] I get four different channels of Blue Jays-Angels. Trust me, it's not nearly as entertaining.
Ooopsies!
Gameday claims that Swisher tried to bunt. That was a mistake, a glitch on Gameday, right? Right??
[36] ?
Oh, [35] = [25]?
swish must be getting jealous of nj
Alriight, Marcus. Let's get some runs.
Time to sit Teix. Put Swish at 1B, Thames to RF and Gritner to LF.
Would that light a fire under Teix's ass?
(Would that get Mattpat's leve to 'Red'?)
[36] Oh, you just meant that the Jays/Halos is not as much fun to watch as the Rays/Sox.
[38] oh no that experiment was tried for the 100th time
and mk just said tims might be the "official" lf when the yanks face a lhp
[39] No, I was replying to your description of the Rays-Sox game. That inning alone aounds twelve times more entertaining than the snoozefest on here.
Hey... does anybody here bar-hop a bit looking for chicks?
[42] Main problem: Thames sucks.
[44] and mk just said tims might be the “official” lf when the yanks face a lhp
Well, he IS batting .500 for the season, right? Right??
damnit that was close either way
[48] Check that, now it's .444.
[46] Never heard of such a thing.
tries to look saintly
[47] and tex doesn't need a fire lit under his ass - just get his swing together like every other god damn year
We'lll take it.
Yes!
[51] No? Got 2 great T-shirts that will get someone positive attention...
haha i like that cliff touted the texas d in the preview and we get that throw and catch
Someone please describe what happened. Gameday says "error" with no elaboration.
What happened?? Where did Davis try to throw?
a cervelli rbi is the cherry on top of that sundae
Gazoo Brains.
Brains!
Who needs Posada?
davis threw to 2nd (to andrus) and it was a bad throw that hit the runner annd rolled into lf
[63] Thx.
need to get 3 outs quickly to get this game official
btw i am in the camp that thinks cc is looking extra hefty this year - now i don't give a shit if he is pitching well, but the big man is bigger
[55] What do they say?
Actually I'm too old for the bar scene anymore.
[67] Well... for the aggressor type, the shirt to wear says:
"My penis would like to buy you a drink".
For the guy who sits back and waits to get eyeballed, the shirt to wear says:
"Please tell your tits to stop staring at me".
Can I run these by Ms. October?
[66] I think last year everyone was worried if he would pitch well knowing he was big. Now that we know he will pitch well folks are worried about his health. That's the end of my pop psychology. : ) He is a big f^$%ing dude any way you look at it. lol
It's official!
[68] LOL!
My Little Pony grounds out to second to start the bottom of four. Ugly takes first on a dubious ball-4 call, then takes second on a WP. (I am not longer disappointed that we didn't keep Dioner N., by the way.)
Big Papi gets ahead 3-1. Fastball right down the pipe, he fouls it back. Another heater... strike three.
Now Beltre walks.
They can't hit Davis at all, but he's starting to lose the strike zone.
[68] As a Steelers fan, I have to ask, "Whe are you going through Roethlisberger's drawers?"
[68] Pick those up from Ben Roethlisberger's yard sale?
Wade Davis K'd Big Papi on a 96mph fastball..he had no chance.
RunPreventin' Red Sox now allowed 5 straight stolen bases..all hail Genius Theo!
(Rays young talent scares the crapola out of me, have to say...)
Reid Brignac lofts a fly ball toward left. Hermida drifts over, toward the LF line... the ball drops twenty feet to his left, toward left-center.
Wind? Lights? Suckage?
[75] I much appreciate the curious tales of Theo's boys. ha.
Wow, it looks like it is really coming down.
[76] Theo's all about the run prevention, you know.
Oooh, Josiah Bartlett lines into a DP to end it the threat.
[78] He may be all about 2nd place prevention.
Captain Facemask lofts one over the Monster. Go figure. He's a HR machine.
[68] which one do you wear oyf?
I wish I was watching this Grandish at-bat.
Oh, now not so much. Still, eleven pitches, pretty cool.
It's Feldman. From across the hall.
Gotta love Gardy's wheels.
[81] Well... I don't really drink and my Penis is broke!
(NOT broken!)
A catcher who can run?
Please describe that Cervelli single. I'm trying to imagine him beating out a slow grounder...
one of jeter's karma specials
Great D tonight, Texas!
[87] It went to the SS's right side, so he had to range for it and make an unbalanced throw, kind of a tough play, but if it's a catcher running you should have an extra second to get set.
Okay, I figured out what happened.
So Thames is the only one to hit the ball out of the infield this inning. Must drive CJ crazy.
Wasn't there a statistical analysis that found the heavier a pitcher, the better his ERA? Even controlled for height, heavier is better. Supposedly, each 10 pounds is worth .3 off the ERA, or something like that.
[87] high chopper to ss - he got down the line pretty quickly
They are giving base hits on plays that should be errors.
It's pouring! This game is an injury waiting to happen. Call it now!
The spirit of Veterans Stadium lives on... http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5098407
[87] It was way deep in the hole between 3rd and short. Elvis made a strong throw but it had much loft and Gazoo beat it by half a step. If he had doffed his helmet out of the box it wouldn't have been that close.
[95] Your wish. . .
[96] I saw that earlier. Makes me weep for mankind a bit. Just sad. Poor little girl.
[96] I saw that. That's gotta be the most disgusting thing I've ever heard of at a ballpark. And he picks a cop to do it to.
[99] The girl apparently enjoyed the game anyway. Her dad said she was very happy because a nearby fan caught a foul ball and gave it to her.
[101] Philadelphians are tough.
I saw the mugshot of the guy, he's got a black eye -- which is getting off a bit easy, IMO.
If there were camera phones and intertubes 100 years ago I am sure just as many awful things happened. But I'm still disturbed by the goings-on at today's sporting events. Ah well. Rain delay lets me watch hockey.
Ohhhhh.
Ugly walks again. Papi knocks one down the 1B line, it rolls to the corner! Youkalis rounding third... gunned down by 2B Brignac relay from Zobrist. No RBI for Big Papi!
[105] How about Doc for the Phils? He's going to have outrageous numbers this year if he stays healthy.I would like to see 30 wins for once in my life.
Yeah, good situation for him.
Although I kind of like Sabathia for the Yankees, too. Similar situation. Lots of run support, A+ durability, and if he keeps up his current level, man.
Of course, I have seen a 30W guy in my lifetime! Though I was too young to know it at the time.
Just Fair, is there any chance that the Yankee game will resume?
[108] Awful lot of rain to get through:
http://www.weather.com/weather/map/USCT0001?name=index_large_animated&day=1&par=yahoo&site=www.yahoo.com&promo=img&cm_ven=Yahoo&cm_cat=www.yahoo.com&cm_pla=imagespage&cm_ite=Maps
[108] I'm leaning towards no. If it does resume it will be quite late. If it was me I'd put a W in the good column and get 'em ready for tomorrow. : )
[107] Yup... I was around too. Mantle's last year. McLain was 31 and 6, with a 1.96 ERA in 1968. Amazingly enough, a very shitty Yankees team gave him one of those 6 loses.
Actually, there is a tiny part of me brain that thinks the Yanks beat him twice. Any of you know how to look that up?
[105] And the was no outs when Youk tried to score and was thrown out. Can you say STUPID? Still 1-1 at Fenway.
[111] You are correct!
Yes, if you go to his Baseball Reference page, you can find a "game logs" link; you just select 1968. Or just click here to take the easy route.
Can this be true?
Sources: O's turned down Ripken for job
Don't hold your breath, Pete.
[113] Amazing what the mind remembers, eh. That was FORTY TWO fucking years ago. Actually, there was so few good things going on for the Yankees in those days, the 'little victories' seem to stick.
Fenway report:
It's pouring, but the score is 1-1 and they aren't going to call it.
Going to the ninth, the Sox would seem to have the bullpen advantage -- Rays have already used Choate, Wheeler, Balfour; Sox have used only Okajima and Papelbon is taking the mound now.
Peter Gammons is delusional. They just cut to him at the mlb network analyst's desk, and he smilingly asserted that Jason Varitek is "controlling the Rays' running game."
Paps walks Carlos Pena with two out. Pena swipes second, no throw (that's Tek "controlling" the running game). B. J. Upton strikes out on a high heater, and they head to the bottom of the ninth... but instead of Soriano, it's the tarp. Oh well. I'll go do something else now.
Was there tonight. Sabathia looked fantastic.