Chickens on the Run: Game 160: Rangers at Angels

You know, I just don't get bored of making new matchup headers. It really is fun.

Lackey vs. Padilla. You know, I think I am going to have to not only look at this matchup, but keep a strong eye with what happens with the Seattle/A's series.

Scouting Report:

Rangers: Padilla compiled 10 victories before the All-Star break. Since then, he has just three. His last time out, he took his third loss in his last four decisions. Facing the Angels, he allowed five runs in six-plus innings. He'd given up a respectable three runs until he came out for the seventh. The Angels tallied seven runs off him and worked three walks. He didn't help himself any, throwing two wild pitches and hitting home plate umpire Tom Hallion with a pitch when Hallion called time in the middle of Padilla's motion, which probably didn't earn him any calls the rest of the inning. He'll face the Angels again Friday in his last start of the season. He's 1-1 against the Halos this season with a 5.54 ERA.

Angels: Lackey's last start couldn't have gone much better. He was perfect through three innings, he didn't allow his first hit until the fifth and he struck out a career-high 12 batters. Seven of those strikeouts were consecutive, which was one shy of tying the American League and Angels club record. He also shut the Rangers out through his six innings to pick up his first victory since Aug. 26. Not bad compared to his last start at Rangers Ballpark when he allowed six runs in 5 2/3 innings. He'll get the Rangers again on Friday at home. He's 1-1 against the Rangers in three starts this season with a 5.40 ERA.

Padilla leads the Rangers in wins this season, followed by a tie with Rookie Matt Harrison and Supposed Ace Kevin Millwood. Am I the only one who remembers what Millwood said when he joined the Rangers? He said, "I am not worried about my ERA. All I have to do is pitch better than the other guy." He hasn't done that too much. Anyway, I am supposed to talk about Padilla, the #2 guy.

The Rangers have lost 5 out of his last 6 starts and has seen his ERA rise from 4.59 up to 4.85. His first win of the season came against the Angels where he pitched 7 innings of baseball, giving up four runs, three earned off of 9 hits, two were homeruns.

Angels to Watch:

Vlad Guerrero: 17-44 (.386 BA) with 3 doubles, 3 HRs and 11 RBIs
Garret Anderson: 10-29 (.345 BA) with 2 doubles, 4 HRs and 8 RBIs
Howie Kendrick: 6-13 (.462 BA) with 3 doubles and 3 RBIs

As a team, the current roster is 76-226 (.336 BA) with 12 doubles, 11 HRs and 36 RBIs. There are plenty of Angel hitters who have Padilla's number. If he is to gain respect from the Angels, he may need to throw a couple of bean-balls. And if I can come up with a couple of players who are on the BEAN'S list, that would be Anderson first, followed by Vlad.

Lackey is sporting a 3.25 ERA (hey, my Birthday!) with a 12-4 record. He gave up two hits in his last start against Texas (and that was his last start) going six innings. He walked three and struck out 12 as he threw 110 pitches in that game.

Rangers to Watch:

Michael Young: 27-73 (.370 BA) with 4 doubles, a triple, 2 HRs, and 13 RBIs
Hank Blalock: 19-59 (.322 BA) with 6 doubles, a HR, and 6 RBIs
Marlon Byrd: 5-17 (.294 BA) with a double, 2 HRs, and 3 RBIs
Josh Hamilton: 2-11 (.182 BA) with 2 HRs and 3 RBIs

The current roster is 80-281 (.285 BA) with 17 doubles, a triple, 9 HRs, and 35 RBIs.

The Michael Young card... it looks good. Too bad he won't finish with 200 hits this season. He had an excellent run, though.
Forecast: I think the Rangers need two wins to clinch their spot, maybe just one could do it. Seattle is almost a bye team for the A's, but if Seattle can beat somebody, it should be the A's. Still, Padilla really needs a good start, and may get it and the Rangers still lose this one. And I think that is what will be happening tonight. Score: 6-2.