Game 28: KC Royals at Texas Rangers

Well, the jokers won yesterday. The Rangers are going to make some noise in this series, though. I took some time off from posting since there wasn't too much to post about. The Mavs and Rangers just having been winning much... which makes Johnny a dull boy. I will be following Blake Beaven through the minors. He's going to be a special pitcher in the Majors, hopefully staying a Ranger for a long time.

Anyway, the Rangers send Kevin Millwood to the mound tonight against Brian Bannister. Millwood has pitched well enough to be 4-2 this season, but sports only a 1-2 record. Oddly enough, his two losses were good enough to be wins... and the two losses in the 4-2 mark are the games in which he game up four or more runs and still managed a no-decision. Strange. The Rangers are 2-4 in games that Millwood started. In the eight games Millwood has pitched against Kansas City, he is 4-3 with a career 4.66 ERA. Against Kansas City? Wow, if you don't pitch it in the low 3's, I'd be embarrassed.

Furthermore, Kansas City is batting a healthy .303 against Millwood. If Millwood maintains the good control he has exhibited thus far this season, the Rangers will have a very good chance of pulling off a win today. On a side note, the current Royals roster is batting .319 against Kevin.

Players to look out for against Millwood:

• John Buck: 500 BA; 2 doubles and 5 RBIs
• David DeJesus: .300 BA; 4 doubles and 2 RBIs
• Jose Guillen: .391 BA; 1HR, 7 RBIs
• Mark Grudzielanek (what a freakishly long name): .314 BA; 3 doubles and 3 RBIs

Brian Bannister wears the #19, but he's no Juan Gonzalez on juice. He's a 1-0 guy against the Rangers, giving up 6 baserunners in 7 innings (4 hits and 2 walks). He hasn't been scored on by the Rangers, either. He hasn't pitched in Arlington. That could make all the difference. The only start against Texas was in KC and it was last season. So... this is a very different line-up than what Texas was sporting last year at the end of July (Kansas City won that game 6-1).

So, who got the four hits... Mark Teixeira, Brad Wilkerson, Michael Young and Sammy Sosa. So, who's on the team today? Michael Young. Ben Broussard is 1-5 against Bannister. So, this could be a rather tough night, unless the home field is really an advantage. We'll see.

You know, I am going to be optimistic. It's tough. The Mavs just fired their coach... and people are already itching about the skipper here. I will still give my report card later on this season on JD and Washington... and whoever I believe should be checked out. Still... oh well. Here's the forecast: Bannister can't handle the wind; Rangers win 6-3. Johnny Out.

Home Plate