Game 46: Rangers at Twins

There is something about screwing with another team's logo that just warms my heart. Now, I know it is early, but I felt that showing the Rangers schedule here was justifible. 12-5 for the month of May deserves some kudos, indeed.


It is also notable that the Rangers now have 10 consecutive road games and then finishes off the month with two at home. So, the Rangers play 83% of the month's remaining games on the road, playing four in Minnesota, three in Cleveland, and three against the Ray's. Minnesota hasn't been playing necessarily well. Cleveland, well it is debatable as to whether they will be around at the All-Star break, and the Ray's are for real (for once). The Rangers have won their last billion series (actually, it is seven), and the question is will the Rangers continue this trend? Minnesota, yes. Cleveland, most likely. Tampa Bay... hard to say, really. It really depends on how good the Ray's are playing when the Rangers show up. Ditto for the Rangers.



The Rangers have won a mess of games and are the hottest team in their division... actually, in the league, really. Everything is really clicking. And it is beneficial to say that the Rangers Scott Feldman is going up against the no-so-hot Boof Bonser.


On paper: Boof Bonser is 2-5 with a 5.37 ERA in 52 innings of work (that's 9 starts). He averages 5.78 innings per start and Minnesota is 4-5 when he starts.

Scott Feldman is 1-1 with a 3.45 ERA in 31.1 innings (4 starts/2 relief). He averages 6.33 innings per start and Texas is 1-5 in games he pitches, 1-3 when he starts.

Both teams come into the series one game under 500, but Minnesota has been struggling and the Rangers haven't been of late.

Feldman, he's been apart of 6 games against Minnesota. It totals to 9.1 innings (all relief) and he's given up 7 runs (6 earned) off of 9 hits. He's got a 5.79 ERA and the Twins hit a .243 against Scotty. He has no record against the Twins.

Players to watch out for:

• Joe Mauer: 2-2 (1000 BA), 2 RBIs
• Justin Morneau: 2-5 (400 BA)
• Michael Cuddyer: 1-3 (333 BA), 1 HR, 3 RBIs

I felt it was a stretch to even put those up there, but 5 at-bats is the tops for the Twins against Feldman. The current Twins roster hits a .235 on Feldman and they have only two extra base hits in the 34 at-bats.

Bonser is still pretty green, along with Feldman. Bonser has three starts to his credit against the Rangers and is 1-2 to show for it. The three starts total up to 13.2 innings, or 4.56 innings per start. The Rangers have hammered him in the past and show a .317 batting average, 19 hits and 14 runs (11 earned), have walked 7 times, and homered three. Bonser's ERA has gone up in each of his last three starts. And for those scoring at home, his ERA against the Rangers is 7.24 and a WHIP of 1.90... both are high and benefit the Rangers.

Players to watch:

• Michael Young: 3-6 (500 BA); 2 doubles and 1 RBI. (3 walks)
• Marlon Byrd: 2-3 (667 BA); 1 HR and 4 RBIs.
• Jarrod Saltalamacchia: 1-2 (500 BA); 1 HR and 1 RBI.

The current Ranger roster bats a decent .343 against Bonser. That's 12-35 with 2 HRs and 8 RBIs. Now, it's time to check the FORECAST. Forecast: Rangers win the opener of the four game series. Bonser does not make it five innings (again) and his ERA is like the Dallas temperature, it's on the rise. Score: 8-3, Rangers.

Home Plate