Game 115: Rangers vs. Yankees

Game 3 of the four game series...
Tommy Hunter is new, no surprise there, and he got roughed up in his first ML start against Toronto where he gave up six runs in five innings for a 10.80 ERA. The Rangers ended up winning that game 9-8.

Tommy Hunter was 2-2 with a 3.24 ERA in AAA Oklahoma. He had five starts and 33.1 innings, averaging a good deal over 6 innings a start. He also had 17 Ks and 3 HRs while only walking four.

In high A, Hunter was 5-4 with a 3.55 ERA in 9 starts. He had 50 Ks in 58.1 innings (again, averaging over 6 innings per start) and gave up 6 HRs and only walked 8.
And here in Texas, we all know about Ponson. Since his ugly departure, he has signed on with the Yankees, who are 4-2 when he starts. The Yankees have lost his last two starts, and to be honest, Ponson hasn’t been exactly pretty when he takes the mound. His ERA with the Rangers was 3.88, but with the Yankees, he’s got a 4.81 ERA. He is still averaging around 6 innings per start this year. The Yankees won a blowout game against the Rangers that Ponson started and only went 5 innings giving up 9 hits, 3 walks, 2 HRs, and 7 runs in all. He had a similar outing recently in Boston, but only went 4 innings in that outing.

Ponson is 8-2 in his career against the Rangers, which sports a 5.22 ERA. It would appear that Ponson is used to some massive run support. This season, the Rangers slapped him for a .429 batting average, but Sidney’s career, they hit him for a .294 batting average. The current roster is batting .324 off of Ponson.

Rangers to Watch:

• Frank Catalanotto: 16-42 (.381 batting average); 2 doubles and 4 RBIs
• Michael Young: 10-29 (.345 BA); 3 doubles and 5 RBIs

Notable:

• Chris Davis: 1-3 with a HR and 2 RBIs
• Josh Hamilton: 1-2 with 2 RBIs

I felt it was necessary to add the Hamilton and Davis, since they are "new" to the team... and they have experienced success early on Ponson.

Forecast: I know I picked the Yankees on my QP... but I am not all too sure that one is right, at least looking at this. I think that there is going to be an early curtain call for both Ponson and Hunter... bullpen work for both teams... and I am regretfully going to say that the Yankees come out on top. Score: 10-8.

Home Plate