Game 130: Rangers vs. Indians

Doesn't the Indian look a ton better with Ranger colors? I think so. It brings out the... whatever. So... Harrison gets a little hammered. I have noticed that when I pick the Rangers, they lose and when I pick the other team, the Rangers win. That is just a recent trend... and I think it is telling me something. Now, if I pick the oponent thinking the Rangers will win, and the Rangers lose, because I was picking the oponent expecting the Rangers to win, does that mean I should pick the Rangers anyway? Or maybe if I pick the Rangers and they win, could that mean I was the system would have figured me out, thus negating the system to begin with? Maybe I overthink things too much.
Anyway, we have Sowers, who simply sucks. And then we have McCarthy who hasn't pitched in the majors this season. But we reserve the right to call McCarthy a typical pitcher, and we all know what that means, right?

Let's start out with McCarthy today. McCarthy went 5-10 for the Rangers last year and is 12-19 for his career. His ERA last season, however, was 4.87, and in a Texas uniform, that shapes up to be pretty good. McCarthy has a career ERA against Cleveland at 4.88 and a 4-2 record that has 12 games but only 4 are starts.

McCarthy's last start against Cleveland was on July 31st of 2007, where he went 6.2 innings and gave up one run (a HR) on four hits and three walks. That was his last career victory. I guess it is fitting that he start this season with a start against the Tribe.

Indians to Watch:

• Grady Sizemore: 6-17 (.353 BA); 2 RBIs
• Victor Martinez: 5-12 (.417 BA); 4 doubles, 1 HR, and 2 RBIs
• Travis Hafner: 4-10 (.400 BA); 1 double, 2 HRs and 6 RBIs
• Ryan Garko: 5-10 (.500 BA); 1 HR and 3 RBIs

Wow. It is not as bad as you think, though, because the rest of the team is 3-33 with 1 double, 2 HRs and 3 RBIs. So, even with the few hits the rest of the bunch has, they still do some damage.

Sowers. Man, what a strange name. But, I guess he didn't get to choose his last name, it was given to him... moving on. Sowers is 2-6 with a 5.46 ERA. He should do OK pitching here in Arlington. I say that due to him having a 1.29 G/F. He has been nothing but a starter for Cleveland. Despite pitching for Cleveland for three seasons, he has never faced the Texas Rangers and he has only faced one batter on the Rangers roster, Josh Hamilton, who is 1-2 with a solo HR. He is also coming off his second win, at home against the Angels. He is 1-5 on the road this year with a high ERA at 6.59 and a higher OBA at .309. His other victory this year was against the Mariners, also in the AL West. He hasn't pitched against the A's this season.

Forecast: Well... I'll just shoot from the hip and say the Rangers own more of the numbers on this one. So, should I say the Tribe, because I think the Rangers, or should I say the Rangers because I think the Rangers... I think I will say the Rangers by a margin of 6-4.

Home Plate