Game 134: Rangers at Royals

Here was the previous time I covered Bannister in a start against the Ranger: Game 68. I guess the questions I have about this team this year: Do they have enough spirit left in them to finish above 500? With the worst ERA in the majors, will the pitching ever step up with the players we have now, or do we have to find other pitchers?

I will be posting my John Daniels report card soon... is he really good enough to get a team of quality pitchers to come and stay in Arlington? And one other question. Do we call the Millwood signing a bust?

One thing is for certain, Harrison is an answered prayer for the Rangers rotation. He is still very, very green, but he is getting it. I guess you could say that I am on the Harrison band wagon. And when Neftali gets to Arlington, I will be on that band wagon, as well. Both have thrown no-hitters for Frisco this season and both will be very strong in the majors.

Brian Bannister pitched seven strong innings against the Rangers in his last start, but still remains at 1-1 in his career against Texas. He has three starts, totalling 17 innings with 5 HRs handed out and a career 5.82 ERA. The Rangers hit him for a .246 batting average, but clocked him really well in his first start against Texas this year. That game was in Arlington, but his seven inning stint was in KC.

He starts this game with a 5.89 ERA and a 7-13 record. The Royals have lost the last four games he has started and are 2-8 in his last ten starts. Bannister is 0-7 during that stretch.

Notable Rangers:

• Michael Young: 2-6
• Josh Hamilton: 2-5 with a double, a HR, and 4 RBIs
• Brandon Boggs: 3-5 with a double, a HR and an RBI

The current roster is 12-48 with 2 doubles, 4 HRs, and 8 RBIs.

Matt Harrison comes into this one with a higher ERA than Bannister and way less ML experience. He is 5-3 with a 6.27 ERA this season and is 2-1 with a 9.00 ERA on the road. Opponents are hitting him for a .364 BA on the road and .299 overall. He has never faced the Royals. His last start against Cleveland he only lasted 3.2 innings, but before that start, he went eight innings against the Rays. Oddly enough, he seems to do well against the better teams and lets his guard down against the cellar teams. And it doesn't get any more cellar than the Royals, am I right?

Forecast: I noticed that I have more posts this month than in any other month. My previous high was two months ago. Interesting. Anyway... it troubles me that games Harrison should seriously dominate, he fizzles. How will he do in this game? Well, my prediction of a hammering should simply state my feelings. Rangers drop this runfest by a score of 14-9.

Home Plate