Game 128: Rangers vs. Tigers

This is the third and final game of this series. Nate Robertson vs. Kevin Millwood in this matchup. The Rangers have been ripped apart. Padilla almost had a good game yesterday. Almost. That, as we all know, is great for horseshoes and hand grenades. It doesn't seem to be all that great for anything else. So the Rangers try to avoid a sweep...

Millwood has a 3-4 with a 4.23 ERA. Detroit hits Millwood for a .261 batting average. He also averages a strikeout per inning against Detroit. The current roster, however, has a .294 batting average off of Millwood.

Kittens to Watch:

• Gary Sheffield: 12-36 (.333 BA); 1 double, 2 HRs, and 8 RBIs
• Edgar Renteria: 13-36 (.361 BA); 2 doubles, 2 HRs, and 4 RBIs
• Magglio Ordonez: 7-15 (.467 BA); 1 double and 1 RBI
• Placido Polanco: 8-14 (.571 BA); 2 doubles and 1 RBI

Millwood has given up double digits in hits in his last three notable starts (over four innings of work).

When Millwood takes the hill, the Rangers have lost his last four starts. They have also lost six of his last eight starts. Millwood has gone only six innings or more twice in that span. He has also seen his ERA grow from 4.75 up to 5.58, which really tells the story of how he has pitched. Opponents hit him for a .328 batting average.

Nate Robertson isn't the luckiest guy in baseball, either. He also has a 3-4 record against Texas, giving up the long ball 7 times in 61.1 career innings against the Rangers. Despite that, he still has a nice low 3.67 ERA. The Kittens are 4-6 in his last ten starts.

Robertson has a 3-1 record in Arlington, but his ERA is a bit higher there at 4.29. He has had trouble of late to reach the six inning mark, going six innings or more in two of his last six games. Looking at his career numbers against Texas, he should hit that plateau tonight. This is his first start against the Rangers this season.

There aren't any Rangers to watch for this game. As a team, the current Ranger roster is 14-67 (.209 BA) with 3 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR (Ian Kinsler, who is out), and 2 RBIs (Ian Kinsler and Hank Blalock, both out). Nate has struck out the Rangers 18 times (current roster).

Forecast: I am hating this stretch right now. HATING IT. The Rangers couldn't buy a win right now. And whatever optimism I can muster, I can still not justify a Rangers win. Millwood doesn't have the numbers, Robertson does have the numbers... the Rangers are colder than a Popsicle in a nitrogen bath. Detroit wins this one to complete the sweep, 6-3.

Home Plate