Game 67: Texas at Kansas City

SPOTLIGHT PUTTING A FINGER ON WOES

Anytime a Rangers player does something extraordinary in the field or on the mound, they get the finger. A foam finger, that is. It was during a series against the Royals at the end of April with the Rangers struggling when Hank Blalock got the idea for some team spirit. Maybe it's working. Since the finger's first appearance, the Rangers have gone 21-12. The youngest player on the bench who's not playing that day is in charge of the finger. If a stellar defensive play is made, that player is greeted with a finger in his face when he returns to the dugout, third-base coach Matt Walbeck said. The same goes for a pitcher who goes out and shuts down the other team. The foam finger was in Brandon Boggs' locker before Wednesday's game, but he said he'll pass it over to David Murphy, who had the night off. "There's no ceremony," Boggs said. "They just need to come get it and make sure it's down there. It's something that's fun and helps us loosen up in the field." What if things go south? "We don't think about that," Walbeck said. "We're not going there. For now, the finger is working."

This is an older picture of Kyle Davies. I guess he played for the Barbies in the off season or something. Davies is a career 0-3 in three starts. He has 12.1 innings against the Rangers with 12 runs (11 earned) on him for an 8.03 ERA. The Rangers knock him for a .345 batting average. He's also issued 9 walks over that stretch.

This season, Davies is having a great start. He's 2-0 in two starts with 11.2 innings and handled the Yankees and the Indians masterfully. And it was NY in NY, so that does say something. He's given up one run in each of his two starts. That's a 1.54 ERA.

Rangers to Watch:

• Marlon Byrd: 4-7 (571 BA); 3 doubles and 2 RBIs
• Michael Young: 3-6 (500 BA); 1 double, 1 HR, and 2 RBIs

As a team, the current Ranger roster is 14-41 (a .341 BA), seven doubles, 1 HR, and 6 RBIs.

Padilla is coming off his first loss since April 22nd in Detroit. The Rangers had won 7 straight when Padilla takes the hill (Padilla was 5-0 over that span). The Rangers are a total 10-3 when he walks to the mound. He is 1-1 against Kansas City in three starts and has a 4.30 ERA and a .259 BAA. That stretches over 14.2 innings.

His last start against Kansas City was on September 5th of last year. He pitched six innings and gave up ZERO runs on two hits and two walks. The Rangers won that game 3-2. The Rangers also won his other start on Kansas City last year, 4-3 on August 15th, but Padilla didn't grab a win that time. He gave up 4 hits and one unearned run and no walks. He had a season high 8 strikeouts in that game. That was his first start after coming off the DL.

Royals to Watch:

• Mark Grudzielanek: 5-17 (294 BA); 1 double
• Mark Teahen: 3-7 (429 BA); 1 HR and 2 RBIs (BEANBALL candidate)

As a team, the Royals are 20-78 (.256 BA) with 2 doubles, 1 HR, and 3 RBIs. Padilla should dominate them tonight.

Forecast: Rangers dominate the Royals tonight. This time it is pretty much from start to finish, Padilla goes seven innings, gives up one run, and the Rangers win it with a score of 6-2. Johnny Out.

Home Plate