Game 33: Rangers at Mariners

Major League Baseball has named center fielder Josh Hamilton the American League Player of the Month for April. He’s the first Rangers player to win the monthly award in three and a half seasons (Mark Teixeira, July 2004).

Hamilton finished April leading all of baseball with 32 RBI, a stunning six more than anyone else. He led all American League players in total bases (68), extra base hits (17), and hits (38), and was among the league leaders in batting average (4th, .330), slugging (5th, .591), and doubles (T3rd, 10).

And get this:

HIGHEST APRIL RBI TOTALS IN MAJORS, SINGLE SEASON, 1998-2008

RBI - Player - Team - Year

• 35 - Juan Gonzalez - Texas - 1998
• 34 - Alex Rodriguez - NY Yankees - 2007
• 32 - Mark McGwire - St. Louis - 1998
• 32 - Albert Pujols - St. Louis - 2006
• 32 - Josh Hamilton - Texas - 2008

Now, I snagged that from a Newberg post. I need to clarify something before I start getting really excited about this Rangers team. I don't believe this team is going to be a playoff team this year. I really don't. But what I do like about this team is that it is YOUNG. Not, Michael Young, but young kids.

Oh, and Happy "Cinco de Mayo", although I find it strange that we celebrate another countries independance. I guess it is an excuse to celebrate... and isn't that good? I mean, we would celebrate Tuesday if it meant having a bar-b-que and friends over... but that is just weird. Anyway, back to today's game.

Both teams are tied for DEAD last in the American League. Both have a record that's 13-19. But, the Mariners are 0-5 in their last 5 games. The Rangers are 4-1 in their last five. The Rangers are pitching strangely well. Josh Hamilton is a stud. But Josh only has 1 RBI in May.

Today's starters are Texas right-hander Kevin Millwood (2-2, 3.86) against Seattle left-hander Jarrod Washburn (1-4, 4.86 ERA). The basics right there should tell you something. But... why settle for the basics if you have time to dig, right?

Jarrod Washburn has lost to some pretty sorry teams. Baltimore, Kansas City, and Cleveland, and he won against Tampa Bay. Part of the reason is his pitching, yes, but I should point out that Seattle isn't exactly scoring ten runs a game for him either. In his 25 career starts against Texas, he is 7-8 and has thrown 150.1 innings over the 27 games (he has two relief appearances). He has given up 25 HRs and 72 earned runs for a 4.31 ERA.

Players to Watch:

• Michael Young: 19-53; 3 doubles; 1 triple; 3 HRs and 8 RBIs
• Ian Kinsler: 4-12; 1 double; 1 HR and 2 RBIs
• Josh Hamilton: 1-2; 1 BB

Oh, and the current Ranger roster is batting .302 against Washburn... should I wash that burn?

Kevin Millwood has pitched six innings or more in six out of seven starts this season. The Rangers are 3-4 in his starts, and he opened the season against Seattle, in Seattle, and received a loss for giving up ZERO earned runs. He pitched six innings in that start, gave up two unearned runs on four hits and three walks.

Here's a concern, though, is that Millwood has given up ten runs over his last two starts, consisting of 12.1 innings. His other loss was a complete game loss where he gave up two runs (Rangers scored only one). Seattle hit only .190 in the game Millwood pitched. Millwood's career, Seattle hits .299, though. Current roster is only batting .294 against Kev...

Player to Watch:

• Jose Vidro: 26-82; 5 doubles, 2 HRs, 9 RBIs
• Adrian Beltre: 19-62; 3 doubles, 3 HRs, 5 RBIs
• Ichiro Suzuki: 21-51; 1 double, 1 triple, 7 RBIs
• Raul Ibanez: 15-42; 4 doubles, 1 HR, 6 RBIs
• Jose Lopez: 10-34; 1 RBI

Last season, Millwood pitched a 2-3 record against Seattle and 5.21 ERA. In 2006, he went 3-2 with a 3.79 ERA against Seattle. And... in 2005, Millwood went 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA... so... is there a trend? As in, is Millwood getting worse against Seattle as the years go by, or was Millwood just too good in 2005, a reality pitcher in 2006 (as in, reality set in), and in 2007, he just stunk it up, and in 2008, it's back to reality... I like that idea.

FORECAST: Millwood gives up a couple of runs, earned, and gets a WIN... Score: 6-4.

Home Plate