Game 132: Rangers at Royals

I'm just getting so bummed out at how the Rangers just couldn't manage to put together a win. It feels so heart-breaking. I know we've hit the part of the season where we simply say "next year", but I would still like to see the guys out there playing at least 500 baseball... too much to ask? Honestly, I do not think so...

Here's the last time I posted something about Gil Meche: Game 66

The Rangers have lost six of Feldman's last seven starts and his last five in a row. What will make today any different? Probably not much. The Rangers are colder than a Popsicle in Antarctica during the ice age. And, the Rangers just got swept by the Indians... granted the Tribe is playing good baseball, but a sweep? Come on. I think it was a combined hotness vs. coldness.

Over the last seven starts, Feldman has seen his ERA go from 4.39 to the 5.15 that it is now. He's 4-5 this season and 5-10 for his career... he has never started against the Royals, but has 14 innings over 7 appearances. Feldman's ERA is 3.86 against them and the Royals hit Feldman for a .232 batting average with 13 hits, 7 runs (6 earned with 2 HRs), and 6 walks. The current Royal roster is 11-41 (.268 BA) with 3 doubles, 2 HRs and 8 RBIs. Alex Gordon is the only Royal that is notable at 3-4 with a double and a RBI. He gave up two runs in four innings in a game earlier this season (April 29) to the Royals.

Gil Meche started a game against the Rangers earlier this season (on June 10th), where the Royals lost despite a solid outing by Meche. He pitched six innings, giving up four hits and two walks which led to one run.

In his career against Texas, he is 4-8 with a 6.25 ERA and has handed out 18 HRs in 72 innings. The Rangers hit him for a .287 batting average. He has eight starts in a row of six innings or more and has seen his ERA drop from 4.74 on July 2nd to the 4.01 ERA that it is now. In other words, he has been pitching VERY well of late.

Rangers to Watch:

• Michael Young: 14-37 (.378 BA); 3 doubles, 2 HRs, and 9 RBIs
• Hank Blalock: 12-30 (.400 BA); 2 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HRs, and 8 RBIs
• Gerald Laird: 4-9 (.444 BA); 1 double

The current Ranger roster is batting .308 (41-133) with 10 doubles, 2 triples, 5 HRs, and 19 RBIs. You can do the math to figure out what the rest of the roster (roster minus Young, Blalock, and Laird) musters together.
Forecast: I believe the Rangers woes will continue. Meche is pitching well and the Rangers are pitching just bad enough to lose. The sticks are pretty limpy and the offense fights real hard to try and stay in these games... and they fail. The loses of Kinsler and Murphy have hurt the team in motivation and spirit. And until the two return, it will be difficult at best for the Rangers offense. Royals take this one 7-4.

Home Plate