Game 65: Rangers vs. Rays

Will the Rangers win the series against Tampa Bay? Well, it's really difficult to say, since I am doing this post on Friday and may not be able to get back to the computer to make changes. But, by my forecast, it should be 1-1 split to this point. Hopefully, by this time, the series will be 2-0 Rangers coming into this one.
Doug Mathis vs. Matt Garza. I have to come clean right about now. I haven't been really all that impressed with Doug Mathis. I know he is young and all... but he's hasn't given me the feeling that he can handle the Majors just yet.

So, let's start with the scary news. Matt Garza ripped into the Rangers on 5/28/08. He tossed eight innings giving up two runs on four hits and two walks. He sent 10 to the bench. And his career 2-0 record against the Rangers and 1.88 ERA speak volumns. The Rangers hit .192 off of him. He is coming off of a bad start against the Red Sox, so maybe the Rangers can kick him while he is down. Five of his last seven starts have been six innings or more and he has a 4-2 record this season. Want more good news? He is 1-2 on the road and has a 6.18 ERA away from Tampa. The most a Rangers batter has in the way of at-bats against Garza is eight. The current roster bats .260 (13-50) off of him, but strike out almost as much as they hit (13 hits/12 Ks).

Rangers to Watch:

• Frank Catalanotto: 4-8 (500 BA); 1 HR and 1 RBI
• Milton Bradley: 3-6 (500 BA); 2 RBIs

Those two make up for more than half of the Ranger hits on Garza. Murphy (2), Young (1), Kinsler (2), and Vazquez (1) have the rest. It's strange, but since I looked at the numbers, the Rangers offense just might do OK in this game.

So... I guess I have to do Doug Mathis. Now, don't get me wrong, this kid was stellar in the minors. And he's even great as a guy in the bullpen. But moving from the pen to a starter, well, it hasn't boaded well with him. He's had three career starts and been hammered TWICE. And for those scoring at home, that won't keep you in the rotation long. He hasn't ever faced Tampa Bay. Here's the ugly. His ERA is an even 9.00, so he gives up a run an inning. His first three appearances were hitless and yet he has given up 27 hits in 12 innings since. He has a 1-1 record and his opponents hit .397 against him. Let me type that again... .397 batting average for his opponents. Ugly. UGLY.

On a side note, the Rangers draft was like this:

• 50 selections: 26 pitchers and 24 position players
• 6 of first 10: Pitchers
• 3 of first 10: Outfielders

Draft Breakdown:

• 1 Second Baseman
• 3 First Basemen
• 3 Switch Hitters
• 4 Catchers
• 5 Shortstops
• 8 Left Handed Pitchers
• 11 Outfielders (5 listed as Center Fielders)
• 13 High Schoolers
• 18 Right Handed Pitchers

Show me some GREEN! It's alway a good thing to have some.

Forecast: This could be one sided... either way, or it could be a tight game. I don't really expect it to be a tight game from the Rangers pitching perspective. Mathis may need more confidence and the only way for him to get that is to get some time down under (AAA Oklahoma or AA Frisco). Another option is for the bullpen. But he's not going to do well in the starting rotation for this night. I hope he proves me wrong. It will be another slugfest in Arlington. Score: 11-8, Rangers on top thanks to Hamilton.

Home Plate