The Rangers continue the series against the Angels with a second consecutive start with a rookie making his MAJOR LEAGUE debut. Matt Harrison made his debut last night and grabbed a win in what I can only describe as being a beautiful and stunning performance. The Rangers have had to make some adjustments this season. Below is what the starting rotation looked like at opening day.
And this is what the starting rotation looks like now. Three rookies in the rotation and Feldman also in the rotation. Millwood has had to have some time off due to injury, so every starter has had to deal with bumps and bruises this season and take time out to rest on the bench for a period of time.
Since my last post, the Rangers have gone to NY to play the Yankees, and they won two of three, gone to Baltimore and won two of three and then journeyed back home to face the Angels in a four game series, which they have split the first two. Now, the really impressive thing about it all is that the Rangers are playing some pretty decent teams and winning. And they are doing with YOUTH. What that means (and we've heard this before, but it helps to point it out now) is that this team is under the Rangers control, contract wise. They can't go anywhere, unless the Rangers release them, trade them, or let them get caught by someone else by waivers. And the way that they are playing, it will be pretty hard for them to get sent down.
Mike Ballard has 8-3 with a 3.97 ERA in AA Frisco this season. He had 15 starts and pitched 88.1 innings with a complete game to show for his work. He's averaging more than 5.2 innings per start and has only given up 3 homeruns. Opponents are hitting .304 off of him. And that is essentially the book on him, or at least the Cliff Notes.
Looks like, according to multiple local reports, that tonight’s pitching plan is to start Warner Madrigal against his former organization, hope to get three innings out of him, and follow with Josh Rupe and Jamey Wright.
The speculated rationale is that the club doesn’t want to add Frisco lefthander Mike Ballard to the 40-man roster, which I suppose may mean that (1) there’s a fear that he’d be claimed if designated for assignment afterwards and (2) Texas doesn’t want to risk losing him. There’s an open spot on the 40-man roster, but even if Ballard were to be added to the 40 and then optioned, another spot could presumably be cleared by moving Jason Jennings to the 60-day disabled list.
Interesting decision. Dustin Nippert and Matt Harrison helped make this possible by saving the bullpen the last two nights, but this means Scott Feldman is probably going to need to go deep tomorrow night – though lately, if you need to depend on a Rangers starter to go deep, Feldman is the guy.
The speculated rationale is that the club doesn’t want to add Frisco lefthander Mike Ballard to the 40-man roster, which I suppose may mean that (1) there’s a fear that he’d be claimed if designated for assignment afterwards and (2) Texas doesn’t want to risk losing him. There’s an open spot on the 40-man roster, but even if Ballard were to be added to the 40 and then optioned, another spot could presumably be cleared by moving Jason Jennings to the 60-day disabled list.
Interesting decision. Dustin Nippert and Matt Harrison helped make this possible by saving the bullpen the last two nights, but this means Scott Feldman is probably going to need to go deep tomorrow night – though lately, if you need to depend on a Rangers starter to go deep, Feldman is the guy.
I guess that already makes the rotation pic out of date. Anyway, Madrigal... is 0-1 with a 16.20 ERA in 3.1 innings this season. He hasn't made a start for the Rangers this season. That's all I got on him for this season. Every game that Madrigal has been apart of this season in a Ranger uniform, the Rangers have lost. But it has been in relief appearances.
Jered Weaver is a great pitcher. This season hasn't necessarily showed that, though, as he is 8-8 and 6-4 over his last ten starts. In his last three seasons, he is 1-1 with a 2.79 ERA against the Rangers, and at the Ballpark, he is 1-1 with a 1.90 ERA. The Rangers hit him for a .203 batting average at the Rangers house.
Forecast: This is going to be a hurtful game. The Rangers are the ones who are going to be hurting. Weaver will have a great performance and Madrigal... well, he won't. Maybe average, but not great and the Rangers drop this one, 6-4.
1 Random Thoughts:
BOOYA!!! How's that for a happy ending?!
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