Texas Rangers (67-52) at Baltimore Orioles (42-79)

A family member of mine took her life recently, so I am going to just post what Mike Lipka said on Yahoo! Sports, and give my thoughts at the end. I was planning on posting all the way through this and doing a preview of the weekend games, but honestly, my brain just isn't really able to concentrate right now. I hope you faithful readers understand. Thanks.

By MIKE LIPKA, STATS Writer for Yahoo! Sports

The Baltimore Orioles were solely responsible for the Texas Rangers’ last four-game losing streak, sending the AL West leaders stumbling into the All-Star break with a sweep.

This time, they’d settle for simply extending Texas’ skid, which is at three as the Rangers arrive in Baltimore to begin a four-game series against their former manager Buck Showalter’s Orioles on Thursday night.

The Rangers (67-52) remain comfortably ahead of Los Angeles and Oakland as they chase their first division title since 1999, but they allowed 24 runs while getting swept in a three-game series at Tampa Bay this week.

“You just move on,” manager Ron Washington said. “We’ll be better equipped the next time we see them. Stay tuned.”

Texas first must end a five-game road losing streak and improve its 4-12 record in AL East ballparks this year. The Rangers are 12-21 overall against that division, including 2-4 against the last-place Orioles.

Baltimore (42-79) swept a four-game series in Arlington from July 8-11, which remains the Orioles’ lone road sweep this season.

Showalter, who replaced interim Orioles manager Juan Samuel on Aug. 3, managed Texas from 2003-06 and still lives in Dallas. He said he has always supported the Rangers.

“It’s the first time I won’t be pulling for them, the next four days,” Showalter said. “That’s pretty much the way I look at it. There’s a lot of people I respect over there.”

The Orioles won eight of their first nine games under Showalter, but they’ve dropped four of their last five, including two of three to visiting Seattle this week.

Their problems may continue against Texas’ Colby Lewis, who continues to pitch well despite going 0-4 in his last five starts.

Lewis (9-9, 3.28 ERA) hasn’t won since July 16 at Boston, but poor run support has been the primary reason. The right-hander has a 2.76 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 32 2-3 innings in his last five outings, but the Rangers have scored a total of four runs for him in that stretch.

“You’ve got to roll with the punches,” Lewis said after Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Red Sox. “If I go out there and give a quality start and keep my team there, we’re one swing away from getting a win.”

Lewis, who spent the last two years pitching in Japan, hasn’t started against the Orioles since June 1, 2003.

Baltimore’s Brian Matusz (4-12, 5.28) would prefer to forget his two starts against Texas this year. He’s 0-1 with an 18.56 ERA in those outings, lasting a total of 5 1-3 innings and surrendering two homers to Vladimir Guerrero.

The rookie left-hander, who hopes to avoid matching teammate Kevin Millwood and Philadelphia’s Roy Oswalt for the major league lead in losses, is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in his last two home starts, but he struggled at Tampa Bay on Saturday, giving up five runs in four innings of a 7-3 loss.

It’s unclear if Matusz will have to face Rangers third baseman Michael Young, who has missed Texas’ last two games with a stiff neck.

“Right now it’s kind of a hour by hour kind of thing,” Young said Wednesday. “I get more treatment and it feels better. So I imagine that will continue.”

The Orioles likely won’t avoid major league batting leader Josh Hamilton, who is 11 for 24 with two homers and three doubles against Baltimore this year.

 Forecast: I like Lewis over Matusz for several reasons. First, I like Lewis, as noted above, he has indeed pitched well. The Rangers are cold right now, they aren't fielding well and they aren't hitting well, but the pitching is still there. If they can start getting better gloves on the field, which shouldn't be too big a stretch, they should put up some good numbers. I also like Lewis as the Rangers just got swept by a really good team, the Rays. They NEED to come out and play this series well for the fact they need to get the mindset mojo working again. Some teams you simply look at as playing the part of a 'slump-buster' and that really is what Baltimore is going to be for the Rangers right now. Look for a healthy score from the Rangers in the opening, and as I shoot from the hip on this one, lets gander a score of 7-2, Rangers, of course.

Orioles introduce Buck Showalter as new manager

Buck Showalter is pledging to restore the luster to the Baltimore Orioles, a legacy franchise that has fallen on hard times.

"All competitive people like the idea sometimes that people say it can't be done. ... I love the town, the tradition, the people, the feeling," said the 54-year-old Showalter, introduced Monday as the Orioles' new manager. "It's a challenge, it's our challenge."

Showalter built contenders with the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers, but the 32-73 Orioles — the majors' worst team — will be a test for his renowned preparation, attention to detail and ability to work with young players.

"We have currently, in our franchise, a young core of players that are struggling, taking a step backwards. They haven't been exposed to a winning-type environment," Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said. "We ... have been trying to find somebody who has had some experience in creating that winning environment."

Hired last week, Showalter's first game will be Tuesday night at Camden Yards against the Los Angeles Angels.

Showalter inherits a lineup without a slugger, a rotation without a winning anchor, and an owner with deep pockets who hasn't always given his front office free reign to do its jobs.

"I'm not naive," Showalter said.

Showalter, who has a 882-833 career record, takes over a team full of problems and question marks. He succeeds for interim manager Juan Samuel, who was 17-34 after Dave Trembley was fired June 4.

MacPhail said he had targeted early August as a perfect time for a transition of power because it gave a new manager enough of the season to evaluate the roster before moving forward.

The job, MacPhail said, required experience.

"It didn't feel ... we could bring somebody in that had never managed at the major league level before. It was essential, in our view, that we being somebody in that had been there and done that before," MacPhail said.

Baltimore's rich tradition intrigued Showalter, who will be tasked with reversing some of the fundamental breakdowns that have plagued a team spiraling toward its 13th straight losing season.

"I understand some of the weaknesses that I've seen physically on the field. You want to identify why," Showalter said. "The '27 Yankees botched a rundown now and then, OK? It happens, but you want to identify why and not repeat it."

The Orioles are banking on Showalter repeating the successes he's already experienced.

In 1992, Showalter took over a Yankees team that hadn't reached the playoffs and led them to their first postseason birth in 14 seasons. Let go by New York, he joined the Diamondbacks before expansion and helped create them before taking over a manager and winning 100 games, a major league-record 35-game improvement, and an NL West title in 1999.

Arizona cut Showalter loose the season before winning the World Series, and Showalter ended up in Texas, where he oversaw an 18-game improvement in 2004, his second season at the helm. With the Rangers, he won his second AL Manager of the Year award.

"We need an identity as a franchise. We need somebody that can put his stamp on this team, have us play a certain brand of baseball that we're going to have to play to win," MacPhail said. "Again, (Showalter) has a reputation that excels and equals all others in that category."

Showalter said he intends to restore respectability to a moribund franchise that hasn't had a winning season since it last reached the playoffs in 1997.

"I don't think there's a prouder organization in baseball. ... I really, sincerely feel it can happen again, but it's about the product on the field," he said.

Only this time, he intends to see the process through.

"It's kind of like raising your daughter and then letting somebody else walk her down the aisle. ... I hope to get to walk down the aisle here," Showalter said.

MacPhail said Samuel will assume a special assignment role instead of returning to his previous job as third base coach. One of Samuel's first tasks will be to report on the Orioles' presence in the Dominican Republic.

The rest of the coaching staff will remain intact, at least through the remainder of the regular season. Gary Allenson, the Triple-A manager who took over as third base coach when Samuel was promoted to interim manager, will remain on the staff.

Newberg Report Update: Kinsler injured?

Take this for what it’s worth, as there’s been no confirmation from the organization, but according to a local report, Texas will place second baseman Ian Kinsler on the 15-day disabled list today with a minor injury to his left leg, and will purchase the contract of Oklahoma City first baseman-outfielder Mitch Moreland.  To make room for Moreland on the 40-man roster, according to this story, righthander Mark Lowe could be shifted to the 60-day disabled list.

The Kinsler injury isn’t considered serious but the club reportedly wants to take this opportunity to get him right physically before the stretch run.

The article goes on to suggest that this development could vault Baltimore’s Ty Wigginton over Florida’s Jorge Cantu as a trade target over the next three days, as Wigginton is capable of playing not only on the infield corners but at second baseball as well.

Also, Tim Kurkjian said on ESPN SportsCenter this morning that he didn’t expect Milwaukee to trade Prince Fielder this week unless Texas were to bowl them over with an offer.

More as details develop.

-Jamey

Cruz, Gonzalez Nab Players of Week Nods

Nelson Cruz of the Texas Rangers and the San Diego Padres' Adrian Gonzalez collected the American and National League Player of the Week honors Monday.

Cruz took the A.L. award after hitting safely in all seven games last week, compiling a .458 average (11-for-24), socking a pair of homers, driving in 12 runs and scoring five times.

His accomplishments included driving in the game-winning run in the Rangers' May 19 win over the Orioles and the next day amassing a career-high four hits, including a three-home run, in a 13-7 win over Baltimore.

Gonzalez, meanwhile, collected the N.L. honors. Last week he batted in nine runs and hit .444 (12- for-27), compiling a .559 on-base percentage and a .778 slugging percentage.

On Wednesday he went 3-for-5 with a 3-run homer and six RBI in a 10-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Game 19: Rangers at Birds

Rangers lead this series 2-1 and the season series is notched even at 3-3 as they head in the final game of this series.

Harrison hasn't looked sharp at all this season. Harrison is 0-2 with a 9.20 ERA. Harrison pitched well enough to not get a loss in his last start, although that is debatable. He lasted only four innings and gave up five runs in a ND to Toronto. He has 14.1 innings this season. What happened to the Harrison of last year? If he continues on this trend, I can't think the Rangers will give too many more starts.

Rangers to Watch:

• The Team is 9-40 (.225) with one double and one RBI.
• Michael Young is 2-9 (.222) with a double.
• Marlon Byrd is 2-5 (.400).
• Ian Kinsler is 2-5 (.400) with an RBI.
• Jarrod Saltalamachia is 2-3.

Guthrie has a 5.16 ERA and a 2-1 record after four starts. His last two starts have been everything but nice. In 4.2 innings against the Red Sox, he gave up eight runs (five earned) with two round trips in what resulted as a no decision. The team still lost the game 10-8. The following start against the White Sox wasn't any better. He did go six innings, but gave up five earned runs off of 1 HR. He has struggled a little with control, as in his last 10.2 innings, he has yeilded seven walks. Yuck for him, good for us. I don't see that trend changing anytime soon, even with his success against the Rangers. Last season he had two whitewashes against the Ranger, one score was 9-1 and the other was 10-4. In both starts, he went longer than six innings.

Birds to Watch:

• The Team is 7-13 (.538) with two doubles, two HRs, and six RBIs.
• Aubrey Huff is 1-3 with a HR and two RBIs.
• Melvin Mora is 2-2 with a HR and three RBIs.
• Brian Roberts is 2-2 with two doubles.

Let's remember that Harrison does well after his first start against a team. I am not sure if this trend holds true to the second start against a team in the same season, or if it is an umbrella effect over, meaning the second start ever.

Forecast: I like the Rangers in this one. If it is just me figuring that Harrison's trend holds true to the unbrella theory and not seasonal. Rangers win this one 9-4.

Home Plate

Game 18: Rangers at Birds

Rangers are keeping it close. But the important thing is that they are winning. 8-9 going into this game, the Rangers are winning despite some horrible numbers. What numbers, you ask? Well, Chris "Crush" Davis leads the majors in striking out. The Rangers have one of the highest team ERA's currently with a 5.95 ERA. That puts the third from the bottom. The Rangers do have the most homeruns as a team, leading the way with 35, six more than second place. Want to hear a surprise? The Rangers are third in the majors in stolen bases. The Rangers are one of five teams who have yet to strikeout 100 batters. They also walk a lot of batters, putting them at a tie for sixth worse in that catagory.

McCarthy is the most consistent among our starters. Millwood would have to be right there neck and neck with McCarthy. Bergesen has a 1-0 record with a 1.59 ERA, whereas McCarthy has a 4.76 ERA and a 2-0 record. Bergesen made his first ML start against the White Sox on 4/21.
Forecast: The Rangers are hot... in a weird sort of way. One run victories are still victories. I like the Rangers in this one, thanks to McCarthy. I'm just not going to go against McCarthy right now. Rangers win this one, 4-2.

Home Plate

Game 17: Rangers at Birds

The Rangers top the Birds with a clutch shot from Michael Young. Now, that's awesome. And it was with two outs. Kinsler gets a two out single and Young hits a two-out, one on HR. It doesn't get too much nicer than that right there.

When things are good, it is good to laugh. When things are not so good, it is still good laugh.

Feldman hasn't made a start this season and is filling in for an injured Benson. Feldman is 0-0 with a 12.15 ERA. Over the last three years, Feldman has a 4.15 ERA against Baltimore with a 1-0 record. The Birds do hit him for a .344 batting average over that span, so even they are getting a good clip on Scott, they aren't making it count to the extent that it should.

Rangers to Watch:

• Omar Vizquel is 7-15 (.467) with five doubles and two RBIs.


• Michael Young is 4-11 (.364) with a double, a HR, and three RBIs.


• Ian Kinslrt is 3-3 with a double, a HR, and an RBI.

Hendrickson started the game in which the Rangers won 19-6. He gave up only two earned runs in 3.2 innings of work that day. He also gave up seven unearned runs in that game. Hendrickson has pitched 14 innings in three starts, 9 walks, 18 hits (three HRs) and has a 1-2 record, but has lost his last two starts. He has a 3.86 ERA.

Birds to Watch:

• Ty Wigginton is 3-5 with a double with two RBIs.


• Nick Markakis is 1-4 with a double and two RBIs.


• Felix Pie is 2-2 with a HR and an RBI.

Forecast: Feldman needs to have a GREAT start. That would be the only thing that might get him to stay in the rotation. And I should put an emphasis on might. Derek Holland is in town and most likely will get a nod in the not too distant future to start. Feldman is a good starter. Look for him to take care of business in Baltimore with a score of 6-3, Rangers.

Game 16: Rangers at Birds

This is going to be quick. I was a bit disappointed about yesterday's game. 5-2. Toronto. Yuck.

Baltimore is 8-8 and the Rangers are 6-9. Padilla hasn't looked like his normal self. I don't see the toughness there. Uehara... well, he's not a Ranger, so he stinks. Padilla is 1-1 whereas Uehara is 2-1. Padilla's ERA is atrocious. It's a 9.64 ERA... obviously not what we are used to from him. Uehara has a 5.29 ERA.

Forecast: I know I haven't done the normal "homework" that I normally do... still, the basic info reveals enough. Birds over Rangers with a score of 6-4.

Home Plate

Game 8: Rangers vs. Orioles

Well, it's now four in a row. I hate losing streaks. It just takes the wind out of everything. McCarthy on the hill tonight... will he turn things around for us?

Scouting Report:

Orioles: Simon pitched three shutout innings in his season debut, but then he allowed a pair of home runs in the fourth that turned the game around. The right-hander mostly used his fastball in that game after his off-speed offerings deserted him. Manager Dave Trembley said that Simon can get by with his fastball, but only when he's able to keep it down in the strike zone. Simon will be tested in his next start, which comes against the Rangers in one of the league's toughest offensive environments.

Birds to Watch:

• Aubrey Huff is 5-9 (.556) with a HR and three RBIs.
• Gregg Zaun is 2-5 (.400) with a double.

Rangers: McCarthy is pitching again, that's the big thing. He wasn't his sharpest in his season-opening start Thursday against Cleveland, but he did get the win, allowing three runs in five innings. He threw 105 pitches, a big improvement over seven in his most recent start, Sept. 15, 2008 against Detroit. His slider got him through a tough-hitting Indians lineup. His fastball will have to better against the Orioles. McCarthy had seven strikeouts against Cleveland -- he credited his slider -- but he had four walks and a hit batter.

No Texas Ranger has ever faced Simon.

Forecast: It has got to end sometime. I can't handle too much more of this. Call me picky if you want to. McCarthy is good enough to win. The Rangers just need to put it together. Even the bad teams win sometimes, although I am not calling this Ranger squad a bad team, they're just not playing that great right now. Rangers win this because I said so, score: 8-6.

Home Plate

Game 7: Rangers vs. Orioles

Rangers were in Red at home for the opening series. Rangers were in Blue on the road against Detroit. Would you like to guess what they will be wearing tonight?
Scouting Report:
Orioles: Uehara was impeccable in his big-league debut, throwing first-pitch strikes to nine of the first 13 batters and keeping the powerful Yankees lineup in check. Uehara allowed five hits in five innings on a night when he couldn't really grip the seams of the baseball, a fact that forced him to ditch his curveball. The right-hander survived just fine with his fastball and split-finger and got seven of his 15 outs on fly balls. But in Texas, a well known offensive playground, those fly balls might not come back.

Birds to Watch:

• Greg Zaun is 5-16 (.313) with two doubles and a RBI.
• Brian Roberts is 7-12 (.583) with four doubles and two RBIs.
• Nick Markakis is 6-9 (.667) with two doubles, a HR, and five RBIs.

Rangers: Padilla snapped a six-game winless streak at home with an 8-5 victory over the Indians on Wednesday. He allowed three runs on four hits, walked three and struck out five. His curveball was erratic and the Indians laid off his split-finger fastball but Padilla had an excellent fastball. Padilla lost two starts to the Orioles last year while allowing 14 earned runs on 17 hits in 6 2/3 innings. He is 2-5 with an 8.60 ERA against the Orioles in his career. That's his highest ERA against any American League team.

Rangers to Watch: No Ranger has any history against Uehara.

Forecast: Rangers in red is enough said, right? Still, they are undefeated at the Ballpark. But they are considered cold, with three straight loses. Padilla is the guy, he can grab wins when the Rangers are cold... so, I am going with the Rangers on this one. My mind says Rangers and my gut agrees. Score: 6-2.

Home Plate

Game 118: Rangers vs. Baltimore

I like the bird with Ranger colors. It looks pretty flashy.
Disappointing opener in Baltimore, but a loss is a loss. Vicente Padilla gets back on the bump tonight, shooting for win number 13. His career best is 15 victories, compiled in his first year with Texas. He twice won 14 games with the Phillies.

The Rangers offense will face maddeningly inconsistent righthander Daniel Cabrera, who is 1-6, 6.33 lifetime against Texas, getting hit at a .295/.403/.518 rate.

Padilla isn't known for success against Baltimore. He is 2-4 with a 7.86 ERA against Baltimore. His last game against the birds, he gave up 8 earned runs in 2.2 innings. They hit .362 against Padilla.
Forecast: The Rangers are going to pick themselves back up with a win tonight. Padilla redeems himself from his last start against Baltimore and evens the series. Score: 5-2, Rangers.

Home Plate

Game 117: Rangers at Baltimore

Let's start out with the series at a glance... Baltimore is in last place in their division at 54-59, whereas the Rangers are second in their division. This is a 3 game series, with the final game on Sunday being an afternoon game, which the Rangers have started playing well in the afternoon. Here are the matchups and quick picks.

The Matchups:

• Jeremy Guthrie (8-8, 3.35 ERA) vs. Luis Mendoza (3-4, 7.00 ERA) - QP: Mendoza
• Daniel Cabrera (7-7, 4.97 ERA) vs. Vicente Padilla (12-5, 4.59 ERA) - QP: Padilla
• Dennis Sarfate (4-2, 4.58 ERA) vs. Matt Harrison (3-2, 6.46 ERA) - QP: Sarfate

Let's start with Guthrie. He has four games against the Rangers, two starts, and is 1-0 with a 5.52 ERA in 14.2 innings. The Rangers hit him at .298, but the Rangers hit him for a .308 batting average earlier this season when the Orioles beat the Rangers 10-4 in Baltimore on July 4th. The most at-bats a Ranger has against Guthrie is six, Michael Young and Catalanotto have those...

Notable Rangers:

• Frank Catalanotto: 3-6 with a double
• Ian Kinsler: 2-5 with an RBI
• Travis Metcalf: 1-2 with a double

The current Ranger roster is 12-41 (.293 BA) with 3 doubles and 3 RBIs. That's right, no HRs. And I would have to say that will change with this game. Guthrie is coming off a complete game against the Mariners. He has pitched at least six innings in all but one of his last nine starts. He has 156 innings this season and has handed out 17 HRs. Last season, he gave up 23 HRs in 175.1 innings.

Luis Mendoza has one start against Baltimore, on September 21st, 2007 where he went 5 innings, giving four hits and a walk. One of those hits was a solo HR by Miguel Tejada (now with the Astros), so his ERA is 1.80 against Baltimore. The current roster is 1-9 against Mendoza with Millar having the only hit. Outside of all that info... that's all I got, really.Baltimore (historically) bats .222 against Mendoza.

Dates to Remember:

• Sept. 1 - Active rosters expand to 40 players
• Sept. 3 - Roberto Clemente Day
• Sept. 28 - Final day of the regular season
• Dec. 8-11 - Winter meetings, Las Vegas
• Dec. 11 - Rule V Draft
• Dec. 12 - Last date to tender contracts for 2009

Forecast: Mendoza has one start against Baltimore, which was his first ML win. Guthrie also has a good start against the Rangers, but not as good as Mendoza. And that is what I have to weigh out... the Rangers are coming in from Texas, whereas Baltimore has a day off to rest... both teams have recent success, however, Baltimore is 1-3 in their last four games. Rangers help continue the Baltimore down-swing with a 5-2 victory.

Home Plate

Game 9: Rangers vs. Orioles (DH - Game 2)

The second game and third and final game of the series. Tonight, we have Adam Loewen against Kason Gabbard. Gabbard in his last outing (his only outing this season), went seven innings on his way to a victory.
The Gab has two career starts against Baltimore. He's 1-0 over 10.2 innings, allowing 12 hits (none are HRs), and three earned runs... for an ERA of 2.53, which, I think, is very nice. I also think I overused the good ol' comma. With his 5 walks issued to Baltimore, his WHIP is 1.59 and the team knocks a good deal of .293 in form of a batting average.

Let's look at Loewen... He's only faced two of the current Rangers, so I would assume that he has never faced the rangers as a team. Milton Bradley has 5 at-bats and one hit. Marlon Byrd has two at-bats and no hits. Look for more success by the Rangers against a green Loewen today.

Loewen threw 30.1 innings in 2007 and posted a nice 3.56 ERA while cruising to a 2-0 record. In 2006, he wasn't so lucky. He posted a 6-6 record while working 112.1 innings in the Majors. His 5.37 ERA wasn't quite as good as last season's mark, but he got better as the season wore on... the good news: this ain't September.

Rangers slap Loewen another beating... and take an early lead. The Queen says another Rangers loss. The last I checked, the Rangers and Orioles are both NOT under the Queen's authority. And so the Rangers win again, sweep the DH! Forecast: Rangers 9-4.

Home Plate

Game 8: Rangers vs. Orioles (DH - Game 1)

Well, I have to bag the Pre-Season... And I have to kind of bag history. Today, we have Steve Trachsel against Kevin Millwood. Millwood has done everything right. And he is 0-2. I don't know what is going on, but I think I would prefer him out there over Gabbard in the 1st Game. Trachsel pitched 5.2 innings on his way toward a victory in his only start this year.

Trachsel won against Seattle, which should be noted, but has a not so great career against the Rangers. He's thrown 21.2 innings in four career starts and has given up 29 hits and 21 runs, but only 17 runs are earned. He also gave up 5 homeruns and 9 walks. His ERA against the Rangers is a cutsy-wootsy 7.06... that's too funny. Cutsy-wootsy... what in the world of baseball is that? Hopefully that continues the "HEX" on Trachsel.

The Mill Man has pitched well against Baltimore over the last three years. In fact, he is 5-1 over that stretch while posting a 2.09 ERA. Baltimore has hit a dismal .204 against him. He has averaged over 7 innings against The O-NOs. Look for Millwood to continue his success.

Now, the current Ranger hitters, as a whole, bat .179 against Trachsel. That's 10-56 (2 HRs) and eight RBIs. Up to discovering that, I was giving the Rangers the "IT'S GOOD!", however, I am not all too sure right now.

The Queen has said the Rangers are going to loose this game. But what does a quarter know anyway... I guess that is a quarter. It does say 25 cents on it... that DOES make a quarter. Anyway, I am going to go against the Queeney Quarter and sayeth thateth theth Rangerethes areth going to wineth... Forecast: Rangers win the header of the double dipper: 3-1.

Home Plate

Game 8: Rangers vs. Orioles

Well, I have to bag the Pre-Season... And I have to kind of bag history. Today, we have Steve Trachsel against Kason Gabbard. Gabbard in his last outing (his only outing this season), went seven innings on his way to a victory. Trachsel pitched 5.2 innings on his way toward a victory in his only start this year.

Trachsel won against Seattle, which should be noted, but has a not so great career against the Rangers. He's thrown 21.2 innings in four career starts and has given up 29 hits and 21 runs, but only 17 runs are earned. He also gave up 5 homeruns and 9 walks. His ERA against the Rangers is a cutsy-wootsy 7.06... that's too funny. Cutsy-wootsy... what in the world of baseball is that? Hopefully that continues the "HEX" on Trachsel.

The Gab has two career starts against Baltimore. He's 1-0 over 10.2 innings, allowing 12 hits (none are HRs), and three earned runs... for an ERA of 2.53, which, I think, is very nice. I also think I overused the good ol' comma. With his 5 walks issued to Baltimore, his WHIP is 1.59 and the team knocks a good deal of .293 in form of a batting average.

Now, the current Ranger hitters, as a whole (look! more commas), bat .179 against Trachsel. That's 10-56 (2 HRs) and eight RBIs. Up to discovering that, I was giving the Rangers the "IT'S GOOD!", however, I am not all too sure right now.

So, what happens when things look pretty even? Well, you flip a coin. At least, that's what I did today. And Quenn Elizabeth told me that the Rangers would be winners today. Forecast: (EXTRA INNINGS???) Rangers win this one late, and by one run. SCORE: 5-4.

RAINOUT... MATCH-UP CHANGE!

Home Plate

Game 7: Rangers vs. Orioles

It's Baltimore at Texas... the Rangers Home Opener.

I will not be in attendance on the Home Opener... I can't say that I have ever, with the one exception of the first game played at the Ballpark in Arlington in 1994. That was the only season or home opener that I have attended. Pretty Cool to be at that game, though.

Anyway, Jason Jennings vs. Brian Burres.

What in the world of baseball in happening? Detroit is 0-6 and Baltimore is 5-1? Baltimore has the best record in the American League and third in the majors? The Rangers have pounded the Angels, not once, but twice?! OK, some of this, I can get used to... especially the Rangers part.

Brian Burres is still "GREEN". He has pitched 130 innings in his career, only one inning this season... his overall ERA? 5.89... a 6-8 record with a total of 17 starts. He's given up 15 homeruns and 67 walks.

And I am convinced that Baltimore is just not as good as their 5-1 start. I am also convinced that Detriot is no where near as bad as their 0-6 start. The Rangers are better than their 3-3 start. How can Millwood start 0-2 and only give up 2 earned runs?

I can get so distracted and off track, even if it is slight. Burres has pitched against Texas just once, it was a 2/3 of an inning, but he gave up 8 runs on 8 hits, one of those was a dinger. He also walked one. The Rangers hit a rediculous .800 against Burres, and Burres' ERA against Texas: 108.00 ERA. NASTY! However, the current roster is 9-16, which is only a .563 batting average. Byrd has a homerun and four RBIs. I really can't say much more, since there really isn't much to say.

Jason Jennings has one start in his career against Baltimore. He threw 7 innings of work and gave up ZERO runs. Here's his problem: He gave up six hits AND five walks. He struck out 7, though, so even though he allowed 11 baserunners, he also kept 7 batters from putting balls in play. And that helps. The current Baltimore roster is 31-112, a .277 batting average. The O's have one homerun and 8 RBIs against Jennings.

Today's Forecast: I just like the Rangers chances of hitting a two-game winning streak today. I mean, does it get any better than the numbers above? Well, the answer is a heave-ho NO. Rangers win their home-opener 5-2. Johnny Out.

Home Plate

Texas Rangers vs. Baltimore Orioles

Texas: 37-49
Baltimore: 37-49

Kameron Loe looked good last night. It stinks that he didn't get the win, but at least a bad call went the Rangers way. Had the ump called it right, the Rangers would have lost last night. And no telling how long the seventh would have lasted had he been safe at home. The final could have been 5-3 Baltimore or 6-3... you get the idea.

Brandon McCarthy goes to work tonight for the Rangers. He's thrown two innings against Baltimore that did NOT look pretty. Much like Jeremy Guthrie from last night is what Brandon's line looks like against the O's. But tonight will be a different story for Brandon. History tells me that Brandon flops the first time, kills the second. That's normally his story anyway. In two innings of work, he's given up 3 HRs, 4 runs in total off of 5hits and 2 walks. That's an ERA of 18.00, in case you're wondering. McCarthy's ERA this season is 6.17 and he sports a record of 4-5 this season (2-1 at home, but an ERA of 6.30 in Arlington, as well).

The recent success the Rangers are having is not due to McCarthy. That doesn't mean he will lose tonight. It just means McCarthy hasn't been as consistent as some of the other starters. Should the Rangers win tonight, it would be more of what the bullpen does, and not so much the starter. With that said, I believe McCarthy will do well tonight. He has dropped his ERA from 7.96 to 6.17 over his last seven starts. And looking at his recent track record, (W/L/W/L/W/L...) he is due for a win (since he lost his last start).

Erik Bedard starts for the Orioles. He's 2-1 in a career against the Rangers. He carries to Arlington a 3.67 ERA and a 6-4 record. Baltimore's won his last three starts, but lost the three before that.

• Michael Young: .083 Ave (1-12)
• Frank Catalanotto: .167 Ave (1-6)
• Jerry Hairston Jr.: .000 Ave (0-2)
• Gerald Laird: .167 Ave (1-6)
• Desi Relaford: .250 Ave (1-4)

We can see that the Rangers aren't historically well against Erik. Should be a good game tonight. Erik vs. Brandon....

Forecast: Another win for the Rangers and the bullpen... with a score of 3-2.

Texas Rangers vs. Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore: 37-48
Texas: 36-49

Kameron Loe takes the mound for the Rangers tonight. He's trying to make it five wins in five starts. The Rangers have not lost a series in almost a month. I think this series, they are going to continue with the winning. I can't see why they won't sweep. Loe faces off against Jeremy Guthrie for Baltimore.

Jeremy has had no success in his limited time against the Rangers. He's thrown 2 1/3 innings of batting practice. He's given up 4 hits and 2 runs (one HR), one walk and issued a strikeout. The Rangers clock him with a .400 batting average. I really hope the Rangers continue where they left off with this guy. That would be sweet! Guthrie, however, has been the best thing for the O's. He has a 4-2 record and swaggers in with a 2.62 ERA over 96 innings. And when he's outside the Baltimore city limits, he's 3-0 with a 2.56 ERA. He's just a little bit better and a lot more successful. Oh well, he's due for a road loss, right?

On a side note, the O's are 2-4 in his last six starts. Guthrie has only two decisions in those (1-1). Now, onto Kameron Loe.

Loe has won his last four starts. He went down to the minors, but didn't pitch, and returned to pitch for the Rangers in an emergency situation. He had to have learned something in a pitching session in Oklahoma, because he's just about unstoppable. He's dropped his ERA from 7.40 to 5.72. In his last 27 2/3 innings, he's given up only 6 runs. In case you're wondering, that's a 1.95 ERA. His last four starts have all been quality starts (three runs or less over six innings or more). He's walked 8, given up 2 HRs, given up 24 hits, and K'd 13. Kameron Loe's WHIP over the last four games is a solid 1.16.

Forecast: Another win for the Rangers and Kameron Loe... with a score of 5-2.

Texas/Baltimore Series

Wow, I am fuzzy headed… it’s pretty hard to concentrate, but I shall do my best. The Rangers are in first place, sweeping the Rays. The Loe-Rider and Tejeda both getting their first wins of the season, it’s a good thing! Baltimore is going to prove to be a tougher opponent than the Devil Rays that is for sure. Otsuka has three saves in three tries, compared to Coco who has three saves in eight tries. But Coco has done a great job in the set up role, which is a wonderful change for him. I think a lot has to do with his injury in preseason and the rehabilitation following. He is now hitting his form, unfortunately, it is too late. Alfonseca’s injury is a bit of a concern. His consistency in the bullpen has always been a big plus for the Rangers.

Game 1:
Baltimore (14-14) at Texas (15-12)
John Koronka (3-1) vs. Daniel Cabrera (2-2)
Koronka comes in with a 4.25 ERA and Cabrera has a 5.68 ERA. Cabrera has done well against the not-so-good teams, but done, well, how do I put this, horrendous against the good ones. He was tagged for seven runs against Boston in 1 1/3 innings on April 7th and six runs against New York during a 5 inning stint on April 22nd. His other three starts, he has combined for 19 innings giving up only 3 runs. Those teams would be Tampa Bay, the Angels, and the Mariners. And I am sure we would all agree, those three teams are not slated for the playoffs right now and are hands down COLD. So, Cabrera can beat the not-so-good teams. The key to a Cabrera win is the walk. In both of his wins, he gave up only one walk. In his loss to Boston, he walked 7 (and that was in a four out appearance – OUCH!) and in his loss to New York, we walked 5. He also walked 9 in a game to Tampa Bay, but that was a no-decision in which (remarkably) he gave up only one run in five innings. Should he walk nine in five innings against the Rangers, I would think the Rangers would score more than one. Back on July 25th, 2005, Cabrera started a game against Texas; he gave up three runs on three hits, one homerun. He struck out five in five innings. And he walked seven. He had another start several weeks later against the Rangers, this time only going four and two thirds. He walked five and gave up eight runs. But he struck out seven. So, is it worth giving up the win and a bunch of walks just to strike out a few? Maybe for Baltimore it is… but for the Rangers, it’s a good thing. Let Baltimore strike us a few times… let them walk us a bunch and let them let us score. It’s all good. I like Cabrera in a Baltimore uniform. He brings Rangers wins, for the most part. He did beat the Rangers in a game in September last year, but really, the season was over the Rangers at that point anyway, and Cabrera needed a good performance to help secure his job for this year, I think. So, Koronka, he’s never faced Baltimore, but I think he will do well. Miguel Tejada would be the guy to watch. He has eight homeruns, 26 RBIs, and a .423 batting average to boot. Roberts and Hernandez both are hitting .330 and Mora is batting .295, so it isn’t a lack of hitting from these guys for the reason of the 14-14 record. Baltimore has not pitched a shutout this year. The Rangers just did it two nights ago. Sadly, Tampa Bay shut out Baltimore earlier this season. Baltimore has been held to 1 run 5 times already this season. So, actually, offense is a problem. Times when Baltimore and there opponent scores six runs or more: six times. What is Baltimore’s record in those instances? 3-3. How many times has Baltimore’s opponents scored 6 runs or more? 13 times in 28 games… that’s almost 50% of the time. And lastly, how many times has Baltimore been held to less than 6 runs a game? That would be 15. The Rangers will most definitely win this game… and I would sweep the series. Although I am almost hesitant to say so, simply because the last time I said we would sweep, we didn’t. And I hate not being right all the time, at least in predicting wins for the Rangers. I’m OK in being wrong on the loses. Well, as for a score, this will truly be a shot in the dark with Koronka never facing Baltimore before, but I like his chances all the same, so I will guess with a five inning stint for him and a no-decision for Koronka as well as Cabrera… I just see this being a slugfest tonight, with many lead changes and many grabs for the Tums and stress-ball… not sure why: Score – 12-10.

Game 2:
Baltimore at Texas
Kevin Millwood (2-2) vs. Bruce Chen (0-3)
Now, if Tejeda isn’t careful, he may pass Millwood in his next start. Tejeda walked six yesterday against Tampa Bay in his Ranger debut and Millwood only has seven walks this season. “I still think Kevin is a 20 gamer. I am not shying down from that. And this is a game that he will win.” Do I sound like a broken record? Hopefully I just didn’t date myself… but alas, Chen… the dude comes to Arlington with a 7.27 ERA and a WHIP of 1.65. Now, granted, his ERA has come down a little (and I am being for real, it has been a little) over his last two starts, as pretty much every team has plunked him around like he’s throwing batting practice. If Baltimore wants a really good pitcher, maybe they should check out Kirsten Shortridge from Keller… put her in the minors and see what she can do. I would like to see a female player out there pitching. And why not? That Jenny girl in that Pepsi softball challenge a number of years ago wowed me. The infield simply sat down at second base as she struck everyone out she saw. And these were Major League hitters with aluminum bats… what was there excuse? I mean, the ball is bigger, right? So step up or shut up. Kirsten, as a plug for her (never met her, but a big fan), has an ERA of, get this, 0.13 in 160 innings, and 331 strikeouts. Now, that’s over two strikeouts an inning. With there being only three outs an inning, I would say that’s acceptable. Are the guys out there afraid that Kirsten may be better than Bruce? I wouldn’t be ashamed to see Kirsten in a Rangers uniform. I wouldn’t be ashamed at all. In fact, I think it would be pretty darn cool to go out there and see that strange wind up that softball pitchers do… because I just can’t understand it. I’ve seen it on TV and wonder “how do they do that and not fall over”? But I digress. Back to Chen, Rangers RBI% against him is 17.7%. The current hitter’s average is a .323 batting average, which is 20 out of 62. Nevin is 4 for 11. Matthews is 4 for 12. Tex is 3 for 5, including 2 homeruns. Blalock is 1 for 7, but the 1 is a dinger. In fact, of the Rangers 20 hits, 8 are homeruns. So look for the ball to carry in this game for the Rangers. Baltimore also hits Millie pretty good. This good be yet another high scoring game, but the thing I like about Kevin is that he tends to make adjustments, which is what good pitchers do. I think he will give up a few runs and not grab a quality start. His ERA has gone down in each start since the beginning of the season, and that trend will end with this game, but he will walk away with a win in this one. I don’t see him grabbing six innings, either. I may be wrong. Of course, aliens could land at second during the seventh inning stretch… all sorts of things could happen. When you’re predicting the future, there is always a huge margin of error. But I have stats to back me up. And the error is I’m on pain killers that say to not operate heavy machinery such as my brain and here I am anyway. But, alas… the score: Rangers over Baltimore to extent the streak to six: 8-5