Hello all... I didn't post over the weekend due to depression of all my teams biting. I sat and did the math. My Rangers would need to win 77% of their games from here on out IF Oakland and everybody else did 1 game under 500 the rest of the way. And that's if they get a tie for the wildcard. A tie. Let's face the music. Rangers are done for this one. BUT NEXT YEAR, BABY! World Series Rings. I'm telling you now.
My streak ended yesterday. Phil Nevin really does suck. He went 0-3 for me. With only 42 days left for the season, I am out of the running for the "Beat the Streak" contest. BUT NEXT YEAR, BABY! Do you see a theme here?
So... Let's see what's on the bill for today...
Cowboys
Cowboys vs. Seahawks - Preseason, so who cares? These are much harder to predict due to too many variables, but Wild Bill may still make it interesting... optimism says Boys on top 24-17.
AstrosAstros vs. Padres - Oswalt vs. Williams - Oswalt is very good on the road, but has a 4-8 record on the road. To complicate things, Oswalt has a 4.71 ERA in his last 3 starts. Williams, however, has been worse with a 5.94 ERA. Oswalt holds the Padres hitters to a .232 ave over 142 at bats with 14 walks. Williams holds (and this is a streach to say "holds") the Houston hitters to a .294 ave in 238 at bats with 22 walks. Well, I think the numbers speak for themself. Houston over the Padres 7-4.
BravesBraves vs. Cubs - Hudson vs. Zambrano - Wow, the Braves are going to get slapped around today. Zambrano has thrown down the Braves quite well. In 61 at bats, he has K'd 14, but given up 8 walks. More importantly, though, is the average against him - .148 - Chipper Jones has the best average against him with 11 at bats and 3 hits for a .273 ave. Now onto Hudson. With 108 at bats against him, Cub hitters have a .250 ave (27 hits) and 9 walks. They have K'd 20 times, so actually, this should shape up to be a good pitching duel. I think the Braves will struggle more than the Cubs, though and that is how I call it - Cubs 3-1.
Now to the minor leagues...
PhilliesPhillies vs. Giants - Lieber vs. Lowry - Both are 3-0 in the last 3 starts, Lowry has a .79 ERA over that span, and Lieber has a 2.84 ERA. Philly is hitting .412 against him in 17 at bats (no dingers)... Jonathan Ray Lieber (Am I supposed to like this guy now due to his name?) has held the Giants to a .259 ave with 19 walks (220 at bats). Notable is the 6 trippers he has given up. Tucker, Durham, Snow, and Alou are pretty consistent against him through the years. So, let's see... this is a tough call, but I would have to say Phillies due to the Giants (they suck) inability to win a consistent basis, Lieber has been around, and I can't go against another Johnny Ray. So, Philly 6-4.
8 Random Thoughts:
gotta keep the faith re the Rangers, dude. at least they're finally home.
prediction for Diamondbacks vs Mets tonite. The score is 2-1 Mets going into the 7th. Our one run is a Tony Clark RBI. At the end of the game, its 7-1 Mets cuz our bullpen sux so bad.
Hamilcar - I am glad you said it... well, I probably would have, too, but look at what the Rangers have to work with? Not much better. Any takers on who will be in third in the AL West at the end of the season? Rangers or Mariners?
Actually, at a closer review, you have Webb pitching for you, and against the Mets hitters, they have a .309 ave (21 out of 68) against him... OUCH. The hitters who seem not to do so well are pitchers, so 1 thru 8, Webb's going to be slapped around a bit. Last 3 innings? Maybe 4.
webb's had some decent outings of late; but gets zero run support. he's a bipolar pitcher - when he's good, he's very good. but when he's off, he get shelled. so you could be right. but i'll stick by my prediction.
oh yeah. arizona cardinals are 2-0 in preseason. cause for optimism? not really. look for them to go 6-10. and that's only cuz the rest of their division sucks too.
I am not sure about the Card's, but for the Boys, when they suck in preseason, they are respectable in the regular season. Same goes the other way around, when the do awesome in the pre, they stink it up in the regular... we shall see what happens this year soon enough.
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