Wow. 10-1 win last night. Josh Hamilton... Michael Young... David Murphy... one name known in all of baseball. Two more that might become a staple in the land of baseball. And speaking of Murphy, here's a pitcher of Murphy and Loe: separated at birth.
And then there is this one... Bruce Campbell and Jamey Newberg... separated at birth.
And here is today's matchup: 
Eric Bedard (2-1) vs. Vicente Padilla (4-2). It was tough to find a picture of Bedard in a pink uniform, but that is how I rule. The Rangers are 5-2 when Padilla pitches. Padilla has only thrown 6 innings or more once in his last three starts. He hit six innings or more in each of his first four starts this season. Bedard had to miss a few starts already this season and the Mariners are 3-1 when he starts. He led the team to a win on opening day on March 31st. That was the only start Bedard didn't throw 6 innings.
The Rangers hit .167 on opening day. Bedard went 2-0 against the Rangers last season where the Rangers only hit .132 over a span of 16 innings. The Rangers only mustered up 7 hits over 16 innings. The Rangers also struck out 26 times. Bedard's 221 strike outs last season, the Rangers made up more than 11% of that total. Is Bedard for real? His ERA of 1.82 says so... Bedard has a career 4-1 record spanning seven starts against the Rangers. He also has a complete game shutout and a career 2.42 ERA. So... the question remains... since Bedard is getting better and better against the Rangers... is there any kind of a chance for the Rangers tonight? Of course there is. Any given night a team can win... but I wouldn't be putting any money down on the Rangers. The current roster is batting 13-91 for a .143 batting average.
Players to Pray For:
- Michael Young: 2-20; 1 double, 1 HR and 2 RBIs
- Ian Kinsler: 3-9; 1 RBI
- Milton Bradley: 2-6; 1 double and 1 RBI
Man, those three guys have more than half of the 13 hits. These numbers are SO BAD... I just want to cry. Well... let's take a look at what Padilla has for tonight.
Vicente Padilla is due to hit somebody. He is still holding on three hit-batsmen. Maybe that could work to his advantage? I hope so... I doubt it, but I do hope so. Padilla went 1-2 against Seattle last year and yielded a batting average of .299, plus his ERA was 7.20 against them. Now, last year was hopefully just a fluke season for Padilla. The precious season (2006), he went 1-0 in two starts and threw a 3.65 ERA while yielding a .217 batting average. So, the proof is there... Padilla can pitch to Seattle... the question is he going to throw tonight... or is he going to pitch. The current Seattle roster is batting .326 against Padilla.
Players to Watch:
- Jose Vidro: 11-36 (.306 BA); 4 doubles and 5 RBIs
- Adrian Beltre: 6-27 (.222 BA); 4 HRs and 13 RBIs (BEANBALL candidate)
- Ichiro Suzuki: 15-26 (.577 BA); 1 triple, 1 HR and 2 RBIs
- Raul Ibanez: 6-17 (.353 BA); 1 HR and 2 RBIs
If the Rangers have a chance, it depends solely on the Padilla we see tonight. If it is the 2006 version, things will be close. If it is the 2007 version, then the game is over before it even started.
FORECAST: All indications say that the Padilla that takes the hill this year is the 2006 Padilla. He has already thrown so much better than what he has done last year and should continue to do so. Still, the Rangers drop this one: SCORE: 4-2.Home Plate
2 Random Thoughts:
what;s with Ponson?! for the past three years, he's been everybody's patsy. now suddenly he's a pitching marvel again. HGH? steroids? whatever, he's been a pleasant surprise.
meanwhile, the Giants say they'll let Barry Zito pitch again. and to think we were trying to get him to sign with Texas. i love it when something works out in the favor of the Rangers.
Yeah, Ponson... well, if I told you what was up... well, you know, I'd have to do something.
And with Zito... well, even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and again.
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