Game 74: Rangers vs. Braves

This is my favorite logo of the three I put up here. It's got some flavor! Today concludes the series between the Braves and Rangers. They will see each other again in three years, unless the format of interleague play is changed to maybe the format that the NFL does it, in which case a tougher schedule given to the better teams and a lighter schedule given to the lesser fortunate teams. That would make sense, but then, sometimes things are made to not make sense.
Now, today we have Morton vs. Feldman. And I have to be honest... I do not feel optimistic about the Rangers chances for two reasons. The Rangers bite on day games... and Feldman has been biting for quite some time... so combine the two and you get a horrendous performance from the Rangers today. YIKES!!!

So, let's take a look at Feldman. Feldman, to me, doesn't look all that bad... at least on paper. He has a 4.84 ERA (league average is 4.19) and a 1-3 record. He's only 25 years of age and hasn't been used as a starter until this season. He was first brought up in 2005 and in one way, is having more success this year than he previous two (when you look at OPP), but his WHIP is still higher than that of 2006, so he is still getting a substantial amount of baserunners, if you consider 1.27 high, which it really isn't all that bad. He has given up more HRs than all his previous seasons combined. He has never pitched against the Braves.

The Rangers have lost the last six games tht Feldman has started and eight of the nine starts that Felman has done in his career. Feldman has never faced any of the Braves batters.

Yeah, that was a different Morton in the first matchup picture. A look at Morton... he's only had one ML start/appearace which was on June 14th against the Angels in which the Braves won 9-4. He went six innings and gave up three runs on five hits and a walk. The Angels hit .217 and it goes to wonder that Morton has a 4.50 ERA. He hasn't given up a ML homer just yet. Look for that to happen today.

Beginners luck? It could be... or he could just be another awesome pitcher in the Braves system. They just seem to crank them out. The Rangers do to, except we just ship them off to other teams.

Forecast: The Braves tend to struggle in Arlington, if my memory serves me right. And if my memory is correct, then they should struggle today. I could be completely wrong. The Braves could own the Rangers in Arlington. But I like my memory whether it is right or not... so, Feldman gets a little lucky, Bradley is back in the lineup, and the Raners score a little early and hold on to it, 6-4.

Home Plate