Texas/Tampa Bay Series

OK, so I did fairly well with the Cleveland series… Rangers won two out of three and had a winning April for only the second time this century (actually, since the year 2000). One thing I can pretty much guarantee, when I open the sports page, I simply look to the bottom of the barrel and there is Tampa Bay. And that is a shame, because my last name is Ray. Their jersey says “Rays” on it… and that simply bums me out. Why do they have to suck THAT bad, I don’t know. But the good news is they are only three games out at the start of May. The bad news is they are still in the same division as the Red Sox and Yankees, so that number is eventually going to go up. And they are still going to stay in last. More good news: The Rangers are in FIRST PLACE!!! By themselves, I might add. And that makes me happy. I can even make my own pitch for Roger Clemens to come here. Yes, Houston has a better team, a better record than the Rangers, but they also have better competition. He should think about what kind of impact he would make. Should he consider the Astros, his impact would not be of great importance and would not be felt as much as should he come to the Rangers. Houston has to consider the Reds and the Cardinals who are both a half game ahead right now with a record of 17-8. The Rangers are ahead with a record of 13-12. The competition and the impact that Roger could make here would be, well, I can’t think of a word right now to describe it. Phenomenal? Well, that just doesn’t do it justice. Indescribable? Well, most definitely. But whether Roger goes, here, there, nowhere… that will be his decision to make… I just hope he makes the best one for the Rangers franchise. The Rangers send two starters who have yet to win against two Tampa starters who have a 33% combined winning percentage. Let’s take a look.

Game 1:
Texas (13-12) at Tampa Bay (11-14)
Kameron Loe (0-2) vs. Seth McClung (1-3)
The Loe-Rider is at it again. Probably the best winless pitcher around… on the road this year, he has a 3.75 ERA with a 0-1 record, 12 innings in 2 starts. He also has given up fourteen hits, two walks, five earned runs, and struck out five. Hitters knock .280 against him. Tampa Bay played him in Arlington and slapped around for six runs in three innings in which Loe got a no-decision. Loe’s next start was a little better, 3 runs in 6 innings… Loe was bothered by flu-like symptoms during the Tampa start, if I remember correctly, so I expect better results tonight. He opened his season against Boston and really dominated despite loosing 2-1. I think with the Ottobot as the closer for the Rangers on the road-trip, the Loe-Rider can come home as a winner. McClung was blown out by the Rangers in Arlington, but did well against the Yankees. I still think that it’s about the people you face… certain people just do well against certain people… I don’t know why that is, but it is. Loe to do well against the Ray’s to get his first win of 2006: 8-2. (there is no need for an Ottobot save.)

Game 2:
Texas at Tampa Bay
Robinson Tejeda (0-0) vs. Mark Hendrickson (1-1)
Tejeda, well, I don’t have time to do my homework on him. I don’t know much on him and I haven’t read much on the Newberg reports on him. I know we picked him up in a trade this off-season and I did some reading then, but have since forgotten much. I do remember has (or had) a good arm. I do have time. Tejeda in AAA Oklahoma had a 0-2 record and a 5.33 ERA. He started 5 games, threw 27 innings even, gave up 28 hits, 16 earned runs, 3 dingers, 13 walks (always an important stat in my mind), and struck out 22. He has a WHIP of 1.52. I just remember Edison Volquez coming to the majors last year with similar stats (ERA and such) and really getting messed up. I just hope this doesn’t happen to Tejeda. Now this is odd. Hendrickson for Tampa Bay has a zero ERA but has a 1-1 record. He’s given up 3 unearned runs in a loss in his second start. He also pitched a complete game shutout in his 2006 debut. Current Ranger hitters have a .323 average against Hendrickson. Young has a homerun, two RBIs. As a team, the Rangers are 10 for 31… so it’s not like there’s a plethora of at-bats here. Hendrickson has pitched in the majors now for his fourth season. I’m not sure how this one is really going to play out… but my gut is screaming a split in the series and that Tejeda drops his debut. Sorry buddy. Score, let’s say – 4-3.