Game 56: Texas vs Oakland

Ah... the Rangers get an off day and get to play the lowly A's.

Millwood has ten starts for this season. His last two, including the game that sent him to the DL were of 3 innings and .2 innings. Prior to that, Millwood had 7 of 8 starts that had gone 6 innings or more, including a complete game against the Angels that was for a loss. He has a game against the A's that sent him to the DL (the .2 innings) and he gave up only a walk. He really has pitched much better than his 4.88 ERA and 2-3 record indicates, although his ERA has gone up with every start. Opponents are batting .307 against him. In the last three years, Millwood is 2-3 with a 4.78 ERA against Oakland, but last year he was 0-2 against them (and I want to think last year was a "throw away" season).

Players to watch for:

• Frank Thomas: 12-20 (600 BA); 2 doubles, 2 HRs and 6 RBIs
• Mark Ellis: 10-26 (385 BA); 1 double
• Emil Brown: 6-18 (333 BA); 1 double, 1 triple, 1 HR and 2 RBIs
• Mike Sweeney: 4-10 (400 BA); 2 doubles, 1 RBI

As a team, the A's current roster is .341 against Millwood. This is Millwood's first start since returning from the DL.

Justin is a former Ranger, as he played in a Ranger uniform in 2001, but I will have to be honest, I don't remember him from then. This is the first time to be starting since 2003 when he started 3 games for the A's then. In the previous three seasons, he has a 5.06 ERA against the Rangers with a 2-1 record and 4 saves.

He did have a start against Texas back in 2003, where he didn't get a decision but gave up four runs (three earned) in 3.1 innings to give him a 8.10 ERA. The Rangers hit .389 that day, but I am certian that pretty much all those guys have moved on in one fashion or another.

Justin is having a brilliant season to date, posting a 2.16 ERA and holding down a 0.98 WHIP. The Rangers might have a good run at this guy, seeing as how the current roster is 15-41 (2 HRs and 8 RBIs) off of Justin.

Rangers to watch:

• Michael Young: 8-16 (500 BA); 2 doubles, 1 HR and 2 RBIs

Hank Blalock has over 10 at-bats, but he is recovering from carpel tunnel syndrome and has more rehab due to that. He is also going to be moving to first when he returns, opening up a possibility for a newbie at short or third, depending on what Young decides to do.

Forecast: This one can really be a slug-fest or it could be a nice tight game, depending on the Millwood we get and if the Rangers decide to continue the trend of hitting Justin all sorts of up. What I believe will happen is that good Millwood will show and a good Justin will show up. Not great for either one, but I think there will be some good innings out of these two and Millwood going deep in the game. Score: 5-4, Rangers.

Home Plate