Game 143: Rangers vs Red Sox

I'm doing this one and Sunday's early since I normally don't chill on the computer during the weekends, so if the matchups change... I will try to change the post, but in case I don't, you'll know why. And if you haven't already, vote on the WC to the right of this post. Thanks.
Scouting Report:

Red Sox: Wakefield did his part against the mighty White Sox lineup his last time out, holding Chicago to three runs on six hits in six innings of work on Sunday. After allowing two runs in the first, Wakefield blanked the South Siders over the next four innings -- giving Boston more than enough leeway to claim victory. Unfortunately for the veteran knuckleballer, the Sox were unable to get their bats going and he suffered the loss. Wakefield takes on Texas this time around, a team he defeated in a 6-5 win on April 20.

Rangers: Harrison threw two flawless innings his last time out, which makes the other 3 2/3 that much more disappointing. In 5 2/3 innings, Harrison allowed five runs (four earned) on 10 hits, despite not walking a batter for the second time this season and striking out three. Harrison was handed a two-run lead going into the sixth, but turned around and allowed a run on three hits before getting pulled. He wasn't alone, as the Mariners tacked on 10 more hits and seven more runs off the bullpen. Harrison will try to lower his 5.26 home ERA Sunday against the Red Sox, whom he has yet to face.

Now, in case you are unaware, Kinsler is done for this year. He's having season-ending surgery to repair a hernia... so that completely and totally sucks for Ranger fans.

Now, I have always thought of Wakefield as a Ranger killer. And I would be wrong, in a sense. He does have 10 career wins against Texas, but he also has 14 loses, along with 4 saves and a complete game. And his 5.66 ERA on Texas is nothing in my mind to be proud of. He comes into this game with a 3.76 ERA and a 8-9 record. He gives his opponents this season a .227 batting average, but the Rangers have historically hit him for a .275 batting average.

The Rangers will have there normal mess of youngsters out there, probably more so as the season rolls to an end and they try to do a number of things being:

• Look at the younger kids and give them a chance to see what they can do.
• Give at-bats to Michael Young so that he can continue his 200 hits streak.
• Try to finish this season at 500.

Those three things linger on the managment staff. They want to check out the kids and finish at 500 or higher. That is almost an oxymoron. How can you play "try out" and expect to have positive results from everyone? It, in a sense, creates a hole in your lineup and nervousness on the field. And that generally doesn't amount to a whole lot of wins. Still, we do have the best hitting coach in baseball... now, the fielding, well that's another issue.

Rangers to Watch:

• Frank Catalanotto: 16-54 (.296 BA) with 4 doubles, 3 HRs, and 9 RBIs.
• Marlon Byrd: 4-8 (.500 BA) with 2 doubles and a RBI

To be honest, the Rangers do have a lot of numbers on Wakefield, but they are just not all that good. Young bats a .238, Blalock a .219, and Bradley has a .143 batting average. The team combined is .245 (45-184) against Wakefield with 10 doubles, 7 HRs, and remarkably 26 RBIs. It really begs the question of "how did these guys ever beat Wakefield?"

Matt Harrison has won four of his last six starts, posting a 4-1 record over that time. He's 6-3 with a 5.73 ERA overall and looks to be a mainstay in the rotation, not only for the rest of this season, but also apart of the rotation next year. He's by far not the Rookie of the Year, but he's good enough to stick around in Texas. He has never faced the BoSox, but this season shows that he seems to step it up against HIGH QUALITY teams. I'm still not sure as to why that is, but then, if that's what he needs, then by all means, let him pitch against the best. After facing Baltimore on August the 10th, his ERA was 7.07 He has sense brought that ERA down, and even with a bad start against Cleveland and an OK start against the Mariners, he has really fine tuned his control problems, walking four in his last four starts.

Forecast: This could be a really good game, pitching wise. The Rangers have limited success (the current players) against Wakefield and Harrison has never pitched against a tough Red Sox team. I am going to go out on a limb here and say that the Rangers take this one, a close one, 7-5. Johnny Out.

Home Plate