Game 57: Texas vs Oakland

I will be at this game. Fireworks to follow.
Tonight's matchup is Scott Feldman vs. Joe Blanton.
Blanton lost his start earlier in the season to the Rangers, going 7 innings and giving up four runs (two earned). The A's are 4-8 when Blanton starts and Joe is 3-6 on the season coming into this game. He has a respectable ERA at 3.92 and in his twelve starts this season, has gone six innings in ten of them, and the two he didn't, he still went 5.2 innings, just barely missing the mark.

In the last three seasons coming into this one, Blanton has been a Ranger killer. He is 6-2 with a 4.83 ERA in ten starts, averaging just under 6 innings a start. The Rangers have knocked a .282 batting average on Blanton.

Rangers to watch:

• Michael Young 8-28 (286 BA); 2 doubles, 2 HRs and 6 RBIs
• Frank Catalanatto: 6-20 (300 BA); 1 double and 2 RBIs

As a team, the Ranger roster is batting 36-134 making it a .269 batting average.

Feldman has gone 6 innings or more in each of his last 5 starts. And, he's seen his ERA drop from an even 6.00 to a 4.57 ERA. Here's the really bad news: the Rangers are 1-7 when he starts. His only win this season did come against the A's in which he pitched six shutout innings in route to a 4-0 Ranger win. He comes into this game with a 1-2 record and opponents hit with a .251 batting average on him.

A's to watch:

• Frank Thomas: 4-10 (400 BA); 2 doubles

Frank's the only one with some at-bats on him. The A's are 11-57 (.193 batting average) off Feldman, with 3 doubles and one HR (by Jack Cust, who also have the only RBIs at two).

Forecast: There's no place like home, right? And that is where Feldman grabbed his win against the A's. Look for Feldman to look like an ace against the A's. Score: 6-1, Rangers.

Home Plate