Chickens on the Run: Game 129: Rangers vs. Indians

I like Harrison. I like how he can take the mound and end a losing streak. He has confidence. He has skill. And every time he takes the mound, be believes he can and will win. And, I was reminded that Harrison threw a no-hitter earlier this season for Frisco. He knows he has great stuff.

I created this post two days ago... and I don't know if you would call it boredom or writers block or what, but I have really struggled in putting this one together. Yawn. So, here goes...

Fausto Carmona has an ERA of 4.71 with a 5-5 record coming into this game. Cleveland has won their last four games and would be considered HOT, especially compared to their opponents, the Texas Rangers. The Rangers are 3-7 in their last ten, whereas Cleveland is 7-3 in that time.

Carmona simply sucks against the Rangers. The Tribe is 2-5 in his last 7 starts, including the May 23rd Game against the Rangers. In that game, the Rangers got 3 walks and five hits in his two innings of work and scored 6 times on their way to a 13-9 victory. That was at the Jake (formally the Jake, anyway, before they sold out the cool name for something commercial). That game, Carmona went to the DL.

Carmona's career against the Rangers consists of four starts and a 1-3 record. In those four games, the Rangers hit .250 and have handed him a 5.56 ERA. Outside of the last game, Carmona looks a WHOLE lot better.

Notable Rangers:

Michael Young: 3-7 (.429 BA)
Milton Bradley: 2-6 (.333 BA); 1 double, 1 HR, and 1 RBI
David Murphy: 2-2 with 1 double and 3 RBIs

The current Ranger roster is 11-51 (.216 BA) with 4 doubles, 1 HR and 6 RBIs.

Matt Harrison, the kid who threw a No-Hitter earlier this season for Frisco, is a good deal better at home. He is 5-2 with a 5.77 ERA, but his ERA at home is 4.08. This is his first stint in the Majors, and it looks like he is here to stay. The Rangers are 6-2 when he starts. He has three consecutive wins, which are against the likes of Tampa Bay, Baltimore, and the NY Yankees. He has good stuff and he is not afraid to use it.

He has never faced the Tribe or any of their hitters (DUH!)... but I would think he would and should give special attention to the likes of Sizemore and Peralta who have considerable power. Ben Francisco, who has some pop and hits for average.

Forecast: Logic simply states two different things in this particular game. Logic first tells me that since Cleveland is hot, they will win. Sizemore has been on FIRE and things are clicking for the Tribe. But, then logic tells me these things: The last pitcher to lose for Cleveland? Carmona. And Harrison pitches good enough each time to win. So then Logic first tells me Cleveland, and then it tells me the Rangers... and I ALWAYS listen to logic when it says Rangers (well, at least today). Score: 8-5, Rangers.