Newberg Report Update: Could Rangers be sellers?

Fascinating: according to a local report, Texas is testing the market to gauge interest in Scott Feldman and Rich Harden, the two pitchers who are candidates to make tomorrow night's start, hours after the non-waiver trade deadline passes.

According to the story, the Mets and possibly the Brewers could be interested. Still, surely a longshot.

-Jamey

Game 71: Rangers at Mets

The final game of the series. John Maine Street goes up against Millwood.

The next series is the Rangers vs. the Braves. It is a return of Tex to Texas. And here are the matchups:

• Hudson vs. Padilla (could Tex get beaned by the bean specialist?)
• Reyes vs. Feldman (will Feldman still have a job as a starter?)
• Morton vs. Gabbard (isn't Morton Horton's friend?)

OK, on the last one, I didn't have any real question, so I just through that one together. And yes, Morton is Horton's mouse friend. Anyway, I sent a wager request to a friend of mine in Atlanta to see if she wanted to talk some SMACK about the Rangers/Braves series. I'm trying to figure out a way to go to one of those games.

Maine did some nasty work the last time he pitched against the Rangers. He has one career start against them, and didn't get the decision. He did give up two solo HRs in 6.1 innings, walking three and K'ing 4. Yeah, those two HRs were the only hits he gave out, and so he has a 2.84 ERA and a BAA of .095... so those numbers look pretty good. He's 7-6 for Atlanta when he starts, but his actual record is 6-4 with a 3.60 ERA for the season.

Maine pitched against the Rangers on September 13th of 2005, and the Braves won that game 4-3. That game was in Texas. The current Ranger roster is 7-21 (333) with 3 doubles and 5 RBIs. Hamilton, Bradley and Byrd are the ones who have done the damage on Maine.

Kevin Millwood is a career 7-5 in 19 starts and a total 22 appearances. He has a career 122.2 innings against the Mets with a 3.38 ERA and a .227 BAA. The Rangers are 3-0 since his return from the DL and Millwood has pitched 6 innings in each of his last three starts. He has a 4.91 ERA and a 4-3 record. Hitters are batting .312 off of Millwood this season, but only hit a HR in 11 innings on him (6 in 66 innings).

The last time Millwood went up against the Mets was back on July 16th, 2004 when Kevin Millwood pitched for the Phillies. Millwood needed 105 pitches to get through 7 innings. He gave up one run on three hits and four walks, while striking out 6. Box Score

Mets to Watch:

• Luis Castillo: 18-54 (333 BA); 1 double, 1 triple, and 4 RBIs
• Marlon Anderson: 11-34 (324 BA); 4 doubles and 3 RBIs
• Jose Reyes: 5-12 (417 BA); 1 double
• Moises Alou: 5-11 (455 BA); 2 doubles, 1 RBI
• Damion Easley: 5-7 (714 BA); 1 double, 1 HR, and 2 RBIs

Other notable things would be Brian Schneider has 2 HRs in 27 at bats, Carlos Delgado has 5 RBIs in 5 at-bats and that the current roster is 62-213 (291 BA), 13 doubles, 2 triples, 4 HRs, and 23 RBIs. That's a little more than one RBI per 10 at-bats. Pretty tough. If Millwood should face 30 batters, the run total would 3.24 runs. More than likely to be 3, though.

Yes, I just had to do something with that awful Sidney Ponson pic. Doesn't that just look painful? Seriously, what does that do for your pitch?
Forecast: This is going to be a great game. The only thing REALLY going against the Rangers is that it is a day game. And the Rangers couldn't put together a children's puzzle in a day game. They just don't have any glue and can't stick a stamp on a honey poster. Score: Mets win it 4-2.

Home Plate

Game 70: Rangers vs. Mets

Will the Rangers win this series? Doubtful. But, despite that, I am still hopeful about it. Today, the Rangers send Mathis up against Pedro. That normally doesn't spell success for the Rangers. Pedro hasn't been good to the boys in blue. And neither has Feldman. I am a bit surprised by him still being in the rotation.
So, Pedro. He's 9-2 against the Rangers in his career (13 starts) and has a 1.90 ERA to boot. The Rangers have hit .210 over the stretch of 85.1 innings, and whiffed us up 109 times in the process. He has not pitched at home this season and has pitched 6 innings or more only once. To say that Pedro is pitching under his norm is an understatement. A 6.91 ERA in three starts is not the Pedro we've come to know and expect. The Mets are 1-2 when he starts, but Pedro is 1-0 with two no-decisions.

Pedro didn't play much last year, either, pitching only in September for five starts. His ERA was great at 2.57, and he was on target in striking others out. He K'd 32 in 28 innings last year. The last time he faced the Rangers was back on September 3rd, 2004. He shut down the Rangers for 7 innings and struck out 9, leading Boston to a 2-0 victory. The Rangers are a very different team now compared to the roster we had in 2004.

Rangers to Watch:

• Michael Young: 5-19 (263 BA); 1 double, 1 HR, and 3 RBIs. (8 Ks)
• Milton Bradley: 3-9 (333 BA); 1 double and 1 RBI. (1 K)
• Josh Hamilton: 2-3 (667 BA)

As a team, the current roster is 17-75 (227); 2 doubles, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs, and 24 Ks.

Now, since I placed the pictures in yesterday, they have since changed the starter for today's game. Gabbard is to take the hill. He's coming back up from the AAA Oklahoma, and I am hoping he has recovered mentally from the Richie Sexson episode. Yeah, I just don't get tired of putting this up on here.

Gabbard is 1-2 in nine starts in the Bigs this season. He has a 4.75 ERA. What's great about Gabby is that when he is on, he's on. And when he's not, he's still pretty good. And then Sexson happened and Gabby couldn't put anything together. So they sent him down to work it out. He has never faced the Mets. In fact, he has never pitched in a New York stadium (No Yankees, either, is what I mean). So this is a big first for him. And it makes it easy to say that he has never faced a NY Mets batter. This is ground breaking for him.

Gabbard has put together two starts at AAA Oklahoma and went 0-1 with a 4.97 ERA in 12.2 innings, striking out 12.

Forecast: This is not your father's Pedro. And this is not the Sexson whipped Gabbard, either. What we have is a mediocre Pedro and at least an average Gabbard, which should be good enough for the Rangers to get by... and that's what happens. Score: 7-4, Rangers.

Home Plate

Game 69: Rangers vs. Mets

The Rangers are still dangling around the 500 mark. It would be great that they pull ahead for good and make headway toward a playoff spot - either a wildcard or division title.
Oliver Perez vs. Scott Feldman. Texas comes into this one at 34-34 and the Mets are 31-34. Perez is 4-4 with a 5.37 ERA. The Rangers roster is 2-28 against Perez. So this one can be a bit tough the good guys. NY has won five times when Perez takes the mound. They've also lost 8 times. Ouch for them. Good for the good guys. Opponents hit Perez for a weak .245, but they walk like crazy (45 walks 65.1 innings) which could bode well for those who could put some bat on with runners on. Perez has faced the Rangers once and got a no-decision, but gave up 6 runs in 6 innings and walked four but only gave up 3 hits. HE STRUCK OUT 12. We need patience at the plate. He does have a 6.08 ERA at home.

Feldman is 1-2 with a 4.31 ERA. He has never faced the Mets. The roster is 0-2 and consists of one batter, Luis Castillo. In games that Feldman is apart of, the Rangers are 1-9. Opponents are hitting .242 against him, but .264 on the road. Feldman also has an ERA of 6.38 on the road. This doesn't look promising for the Rangers. That's really about all the stats that matter.
Forecast: Takers on Feldman making it 5 innings? Yeah, I didn't think so. It looks like this is going to be a game the Rangers play from behind. I don't think the bullpen is going to do a "super" job, since they haven't really established themselves as a solid pen. Mets have the upper hand and looks to win the opener, 7-2. That hurt to write, I must say. Johnny Out.

Home Plate

Thursday and Friday Picks

Today

Rangers vs. Mariners – Loe vs. Harris – I like Loe. I think he is going to be huge and not just in height. Harris has done decent this year; one of his two wins was against the Rangers who hit only .182 against him. Adrian Gonzalez is the only one who did any real damage against him and has the only RBI against him. Gonzalez, by the way, would have over 30 homeruns if he had played the entire season with the Rangers. I think the number would be 37 dingers. Impressive, I must say. Loe does some damage against the M’s too. He has a win against them, 6 strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings (WOW) and holds them to a .167 average. They have only 1 run against him as well. I like the Rangers in this one 3-1.

Braves vs. Phillies – Sosa vs. Myers – Sosa is hot, Myers is average. I go with the hot stuff. Braves over Phillies 4-2.

Astros vs. Marlins – Pettitte vs. Vargas – Pettitte is on fire (2.48 ERA season and 1.40 ERA over his last 3), Vargas is throwing a medicine ball (8.25 ERA in his last 3)… Astros dominate this one 7-2.

Brewers vs. D-Backs – Ohka vs. Estes – Fairly even on this overall, but Estes is a little colder than Ohka. Ohka notably is better on the road in comparison to Estes at home. I will go with the alcoholics and say the D-Backs bullpen will loose to the Brewers starter: 6-4.

Tomorrow

Rangers vs. Mariners – TBA vs. Hernandez – I have done some vast research and I have come up empty for the Rangers starter for 9/16. But I did dig up in one place and they said Rogers for this game. But the same resource also said Rogers for Saturday. Rogers is not Cy Young in that he can throw a doubleheader one day and then pitch again the next. So, when I find out for certain, I can make a better guess on this. I would like the match up of Rogers vs. Hernandez, Hernandez looks good. He has a 2.33 ERA this year and even though Rogers isn’t as hot as he was earlier this year, I think he would still be the best guy for the job. But it is not my call (but it should be).

Braves vs. Mets – Smoltz vs. Trachsel – Smoltz is just better than Trash-el, has better numbers and is very consistent. Probably the most consistent of any pitcher I have seen (and when I say consistent, I mean consistently good – there are plenty who are consistently bad). Braves with a win over the Mets, say 5-2.

Phillies vs. Marlins – Lieber vs. Moehler – Moehler hasn’t started since 8/20. Lieber is very hot right now. Everything points to the female horse and a good win for them. I do, however, think this isn’t going to be a cakewalk for the Phillies. The Big Fish loose to the female horses, going with 7-5.

Astros vs. Brewers – Oswalt vs. Helling – Helling is an alcoholic, hard to swallow. But it is good to see him out there again. Dude is on fire, too. He has a 0.98 ERA over his last 3. Oswalt is a good match up for him. This could hand him his first loss this year. But, I honestly think this will go to the bullpen and some extra time on the diamond. Astros with a walk off run in the 11th, 4-3.

D-Backs vs. Rockies – Nippert vs. Day – Battle of the bottom, is what I call these types of games. Oh, how I can remember the days of the 13 win seasons for the Mavs, battling the lowly Timberwolves (I would call them the Feather Wolves, he he he). I looked over the goods, Nippert looks better than Day, although that isn’t saying too much. But the numbers don’t lie, Day has an ERA of almost 7, and Nippert is in the mid 5’s. Day also has been throwing in low 8’s over his last 3 games. Nippert has only one appearance. I think in this game he will shine. D-Backs 10-6.

Home Plate

Quick Picks (Tuesday)

Quick Picks, to keep it short today:

Astros vs. Phillies - Oswalt vs. Lieber - Oswalt stinks at home. Lieber stinks on the road. Both coming off great outings, though. Oswalt should prevail. Astros 4-2.

D-Backs vs. Pirates - Vazquez vs. Maholm - Don't know anything about Maholm, he's a rookie. I will guess that he might do well, D-Backs aren't a great team. Still, I find myself picking them on this... Experince over newness, I guess. D-Backs 6-4.

Alcoholics vs. Reds - Helling vs. Harang - Rick Helling? He still pitching? And not badly, I might add. I will go with the drunkards, no wait... on second thought, Reds over Brewers 5-3. Hunch is calling me.

Mets vs. Braves - Pedro vs. Smoltz - WHAT A GAME! Two gladiators facing off... how can I choose? Both VERY even, but I will go with who is hot... Pedro. Mets over Braves 2-0. (That's right, a shutout!)

And that is it for today... catcha tomorrow, hopefully, I can dig deaper then. Johnny Out.

Home Plate

Thursday, August 25th

Well, today I can safely predict that the Phillies are NOT going to win. HA! Rangers are in the midst of playing right now, and with 4 errors, I honestly feel they deserve to loose. You HAVE to take care of the ball. YOU HAVE TO! Brewers and Marlins are playing right now, tied 1 a piece in the 7th. Let's look at the only other game that I would be following.

D-Backs vs. Mets - Pedro vs. Vazquez - (I am on a first name basis with Pedro) so, let's see Mets 22-0 over D-Backs... Mets have scored, like a million runs in this series. Do the D-Backs have any answer or should they do the honorable thing and just forfeit to save face? Seriously, though... let's look at some numbers... Pedro has 1.13 ERA against the D-Backs this year w/ 9 Ks in 8 innings. I look for a better performance tonight. Vazquez has given up 15 runs in his last 15 innings. Will he be better tonight? Most likely, but don't hold your breath. He would need a performance like he had in his last start against the Reds where he went 8 innings giving up one run. Vasquez has not been consistent enough. Period. And, I should point out AGAIN that he is going up against Pedro, who has been very consistent this year. Heck, through his career. So, I take the Mets 8-1. Pedro goes another 8 innings with 12 Ks and no runs. I said one run just to be nice, by the way.

Wednesday, August 24th

How about them Rangers!! Well, that's what they will be saying at the end of the season next year... but alas, this year we will settle for winning over the Mariners. Rangers did win last night 6 to 4. Young pitched like a Champ and Moyer... well, he pitched badly to put it nicely. Now, didn't I say Young hates Suzuki? The dude led off with a homer against Young. I said the Cubs over the Braves, but come on guys, score a little and pitch a little better when I call a close game! D-Backs? Should I bring this one up? Mets showed up last night, anyway. I can't even muster up the score... all I can say is OUCH!!! "That's all I have to say about that..." Now, I did say the 'stros would give up two... I just thought they would score, well, something... lost 2-0. Clemens goes all 8 innings and gives up 2 runs. COME ON ASTROS! WHAT'S UP? Now, how do the Phillies suck? Only one homerun in all that? Geez.

Well, onto todays calls...

Braves vs. Cubs - Sosa vs. Prior - Sosa is mostly a "fill-in" pitcher with only 12 starts this year. He has done well with the opportunity given him. He has a 2.63 ERA this year and a 1.96 ERA on the road. Prior has an 11.57 ERA against the Braves this year. Important to note that. In 45 at bats, the Braves are hitting .289 against Prior - 2 trips and 9 RBIs. Braves over Cubs 6-3.

Rangers vs. Mariners - Dominguez vs. Franklin - quoting Bill Murray in Scrooged "Boy, does that suck." And what that means when I quote that, is that this game is not going to be well. These guys have been throwing watermelons. The ball looks so big to the hitters, if they don't swing, they would be a disgrace to baseball. Well, that's what the numbers say. Dominguez has a 5.11 ERA this season, and has given up 12 runs in his last 12 1/3 innings. Franklin pitched against the Rangers on 4/27/05 and gave up 7 runs on 10 hits, including a dinger to Dr. Michael Young. Franklin's current ERA is 5.10, by the way. OH, I LOVE THIS STAT... Mariners have never gotten a hit off Dominguez. Suzuki has a career .000 ave against him. That's 0-1, hehehe. So, I think with all the swill I just threw out there, my son tells me that the Rangers are going to win this one 8-6.

Astros vs. Padres - Astacio vs. CHAN HO PARK - Houston 15-6.

D-Backs vs. Mets - Ortiz vs. Seo - Ortiz has a case of the "Chan Ho ERA"s... A whopping 6.44 ERA on the season. Seo is what they call "HOT" right now... 1.09 ERA... does it get better than that? Look for a slaughter with no prisoners tonight in Arizona. Mets 9-1.

Now, onto the minor leaguers:
Phillies vs. Giants - Lidle vs. Hennessey - I get tired of looking at how the Phillies are better than the Giants - spew - I am going to take an upset, just because I want to... Gaints over Philly (and that is a female horse) 11-8.

Tuesday, August 23rd

Well, HEY! I hit yesterday - Cowboys won. Astros won. Braves won (even though I predicted a Cubs win)... so the world is good. Arizona did loose and Philly lost, as well. So sad that Philly lost... OH WELL, I'LL GET OVER IT, I AM SURE... ha, ha, ha... so, let's look at what is going on today.

Rangers vs. Mariners - Young vs. Moyer - Rangers have a good chance for today... the meat of the lineup does well against Moyer. Sorry has a poor average against Moyer, but when he connects, he makes it count (4 dingers). As a whole, the team has a .251 ave against Moyer and 18 walks, but we strikeout a lot (52 times in 243 at bats). Young hates Suzuki who is the only Mariner to have any real success against Young (.429 ave). Mariners hold a .250 ave against Young. I think this is really a tough call, due to the recent mess the Rangers have been in as of late, but I think this game could be a step in the right direction. Rangers 7-2.

Braves vs. Cubs - Thomson vs. Williams - Key stat for this would be that Thomson gives up the long ball. 6 homers in 99 at bats to the Cubs. Cubs have a .263 ave against Thomson (26 for 99). Barrett and Blanco have 2 dingers each against Thomson. Williams isn't much better, though. Thus far, in 34 at bats for the Braves, they have mustered up 2 dingers themselves. They hit .324 against him (11 for 34), but only 4 runs. Still, I think that Williams may luck out on this, not sure why, my gut, I guess. Cubs over Braves in a close one 5-4.

D-Backs vs. Mets - Vargas vs. Zambrano - Now this may be the best matchup I have seen in a good long time... both pitchers do well against these hitters, a ton of success. A TON OF SUCCESS. They should both pitch late into the game and hand it over to the bullpen. This may even go into extra innings. And if that is the case... Well, let's look at numbers first. Zambrano holds the D-Backs to a .159 ave (7 for 44). Not much for the D-Backs there. Vargas holds the Mets hitters to .077 ave (2 for 26)... Point made? Yeppers. So, the bullpen. Arizona has an ERA of 5.86 out of the pen, and the Mets 3.98 ERA out of the pen. AND, against the D-Back, the Mets have a 2.50 ERA this year. BUT, the D-Backs have a 2.91 ERA against the Mets... Wow, this would be a very tough call... too many stats. But, I am going to go with the Mets... most of the intangibles seem to point in their direction. I am going to say Mets 3-2 in 10 innings.

Astros vs. Padres - Clemens vs. Peavy - Clemens. Nuff Said. He did me wrong last time... won't happen twice in a row. Astros 4-2. (one given up by the Rocket).

Minor Leaguers:
Philly vs. Giants - Padilla vs. Tomko - Padilla has doen well his last 3 games, a 1.35 ERA in 20 innings. Tomko has done well himself, but still not good enough to win. He is 0-3 with a 3.50 ERA. If he was a Ranger, maybe 3-0? I guess we will never know. But alas, everything is actually pointing to a rough start for both pitchers. Giants have a .317 ave against Padilla and 4 dingers and 14 RBI in only 104 at bats. OUCH. Now the Phillies (isn't a Philly a female horse?) have a .298 ave against Tomko, 7 super touches (homers), and a whopping 22 RBI's in only 131 at bats. I would be surprised to say the least if both of these starters make it through 5 innings. Both teams FEAST off these starters. They will be padding the offensive numbers today. Philly 10-7.