Why Strasburg may be shut down in 2011

Stephen Strasburg, by spending any significant time on the DL, would be putting a pinch on his 2011 campaign. The Nationals, [Jim] Riggleman said, will not be motivated to pitch Strasburg in order to raise his potential innings limit for next season. Strasburg will be capped at 160 total innings this season, a 20 percent increase from last year's total. The Nationals will make the same rate of increase for next season. So if Strasburg only throws a handful of innings, the Nationals will have to shut him down in the middle of next season.

Rangers acquire Guzman from Nationals

The Rangers have acquired infielder Cristian Guzman from the Washington Nationals in exchange for Minor League pitchers Ryan Tatusko and Tanner Roark.

Guzman, a shortstop for most of his career, has played 63 games at second base this season, while making 20 appearances at shortstop. The 32-year-old switch-hitter is batting .282 with two homers and 25 RBIs. He has a .327 on-base percentage and a .361 slugging percentage. The 11-year veteran, who spent his first six seasons with the Minnesota Twins and last five with the Nationals, has a .272 lifetime batting average.

The Rangers also announced today that they have acquired righthanded pitcher Roman Mendez, first baseman Chris McGuiness, a player to be named later and cash considerations from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Postgame Alert for the Braves

Atlanta Braves Postgame Alert
July 29, 2010

Atlanta 3, Washington 5 at Nationals Park
Atlanta Record: (58-43)
Washington Record: (44-58)

Winning pitcher - Scott Olsen (3-2)
Losing pitcher - Derek Lowe (10-9)
SV - Matt Capps (26)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
ATL	0	0	0	2	0	1	0	0	0		3	6	0
WSH	0	2	0	2	0	0	0	1	X		5	7	1

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Next Atlanta Game: July 30, 2010 07:10 PM ET vs. Cincinnati Reds

Upcoming Atlanta Home Games:
vs. New York Mets, August 2, 2010 07:10 PM ET Purchase Tickets
vs. New York Mets, August 3, 2010 07:10 PM ET Purchase Tickets
vs. New York Mets, August 4, 2010 07:10 PM ET Purchase Tickets

7-29 Newberg Report TROT COFFEY*

(* Trade Rumor Offerings To Chew On For Fun, Even Yuks)

Not to be confused with Brewers journeyman reliever Todd Coffey, the TROT COFFEY is a mailing list-only update on various trade and free agent rumblings unearthed, if not hatched, by the media:

But first, real quick: The Rangers’ Stretch Drive promotion closes at the end of the day tomorrow.  You can reserve seats for the final 24 home games of the season, which includes five with the Yankees, three with the Red Sox, three with the A’s, and the regular-season-ending four with the Angels – and guarantees you the option of purchasing the same seats for all playoff games.  It also includes significant savings off gate prices.  Basically, you get to be a season ticket holder now, just in time for the post-season. 

More details are contained in the attached PDF and on texasrangers.com.  You can also email Troy King at TKing@texasrangers.com with questions, or call 972-RANGERS.

·         The Rangers were “inching closer to a first base acquisition” on Wednesday (Jim Bowden, MLB Network Radio/Fox Sports Radio)

·         According to local reports and the identified national outlets, Texas is said to be in the mix, to one degree or another, for Prince Fielder (Jon Heyman, Sports Illustrated; Will Carroll, Baseball Prospectus), Adam Dunn (Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports), Jorge Cantu (Jayson Stark, ESPN; Rosenthal), Ty Wigginton (Rosenthal), Mike Lowell (Rob Bradford, WEEI, noting that Lowell is 11 for 22 with four doubles and four home runs in five rehab appearances over the last week), and Wes Helms

·         We talked about the Fielder idea during a radio segment I did on 105.3 The Fan yesterday; I just don’t think it makes sense to part with, say, Martin Perez or Tanner Scheppers, plus Chris Davis (who would be the 2010 version of the Nelson Cruz piece that was included when the same two teams made the Carlos Lee deal in 2006), plus an arm like Scott Feldman or Matt Harrison, plus another blue-chip prospect like Engel Beltre since the Rangers would need Milwaukee to dump a bunch of cash into the deal – if we’re going to load up with a package that looks anything like that (and I do expect the Brewers to demand something along those lines since they’d be giving up a year and a half of Fielder), I’m going hard after Josh Johnson or Zack Greinke or someone like that

·         According to a local report, Texas refused to discuss Beltre with Seattle in the Cliff Lee trade talks

·         I suspect it would take less to get Dunn than to get Fielder, but it’s still probably a prohibitive demand (Washington reportedly asked either for second baseman Gordon Beckham straight up or a package including righthander Dan Hudson plus either catcher Tyler Flowers or outfielder Jordan Danks or third baseman Brent Morel from the White Sox); don’t hold your breath

·         Shoehorning this in: Baseball America’s Jim Callis issued a Prospect Dream Team earlier this week, including Perez in his starting rotation and making Scheppers his closer

·         The Rangers haven’t ruled out waiting until August to address first base (Rosenthal)

·         According to a local report, Florida is interested in Frisco reliever Evan Reed as part of any Cantu trade

·         The Marlins are “believed to be looking for [a] young” lefthander for Cantu (Rosenthal) (for Texas, Derek Holland and Perez and Robbie Erlin are obviously not up for discussion, which could put Harrison or Michael Kirkman or Robbie Ross in play, though I doubt Texas would move Harrison for a bench bat; Kasey Kiker likely has no trade value at the moment)

·         The hangup between Texas and Florida on Cantu is that “the Marlins are balking at [taking on virtually all of the $2 million remaining on Cantu’s 2010 contract] unless the Rangers are willing to dramatically upgrade the player return” (Stark)

·         Nonetheless, “one [big league] source . . . believes that the Marlins, while still talking with other clubs, will get something done with Texas, as long as [the] Commissioner's Office signs off on [the] financials in the deal” (Gordon Edes, ESPN Boston)

·         The same local report that mentioned Reed adds that “clubs are inquiring” about Bakersfield reliever Fabio Castillo (the Reed and Castillo notes illustrate the importance of the Rangers’ prospect depth, as those two are probably on the third tier of the club’s prospect inventory but are still drawing July interest)

·         According to a local report, Texas has dispatched a scout to Washington to keep tabs on Josh Willingham and Cristian Guzman

·         Various reports indicated that the Rangers were in on Derrek Lee, who wielded his 10/5 rights and declined a trade to the Angels on Wednesday

·         The Angels may have “pulled back” from the trade market, deciding that, at 8.5 games back, the odds of extending their season past 162 don’t justify gutting the farm system for a short-term fix (Rosenthal) (see Sosa/Alvarez/Fletcher for Baines/Manrique, which went down 21 years ago today) (yesterday afternoon’s injury to scratched starter Joel Pineiro, who will miss 6-8 weeks with a strained oblique, surely sealed the Angels’ decision) (I sorta wish they did give up a legitimate prospect or two for Derrek Lee)

·         Los Angeles could even go so far as to becoming a seller this weekend rather than a buyer, potentially listening to overtures for veterans like Bobby Abreu, Brian Fuentes, Hideki Matsui, and Maicer Izturis (Mike DiGiovanna, Los Angeles Times)

·         Related note: Oakland righthander Ben Sheets is done for the year, needing flexor tendon surgery

·         The second-worst part about the Angels’ acquisition of Dan Haren, for me, is that the Yankees were said to be in on Haren, whose acquisition presumably would have taken them out of the Cliff Lee hunt this winter

·         At least one local report suggests that there are clubs showing some level of interest in Scott Feldman and Rich Harden (also reported by Rosenthal)

·         Texas maintained interest in Roy Oswalt, even after acquiring Cliff Lee (Rosenthal, Heyman), but this morning all indications are that the Astros and Phillies have agreed on players (reportedly including lefthander J.A. Happ, righthander Vance Worley, and maybe two more arms) and await only Oswalt’s approval of the deal, which could include a decision on whether his 2012 option would be exercised now

·         Sadly (if you’re a Phillies fan), any package headed by Happ probably means Philadelphia will give up more for Oswalt than they got for Lee

·         The Rangers asked Florida about righthander Chris Volstad but “were turned away” (Joe Capozzi, Palm Beach Post)

·         The Red Sox, Yankees, and Tigers are interested in Oakland reliever Michael Wuertz, but Oakland, “barring [a] knockout offer,” won’t trade the right-handed slider specialist (Rosenthal) (I’d love to add Wuertz here, but not for what the A’s would evidently want)

·         Get this: When Texas recently approached Pittsburgh about reliever Joel Hanrahan, the Pirates, “according to a scout with direct knowledge of teams’ dealings,” responded by asking for Neftali Feliz in return (Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) (umm, wow)

·         The $590,000 signing bonus that Texas gave this week to California high school righthander Cody Buckel, the club’s second-round selection in June, was more than $80,000 over slot – the second-highest over-slot deal announced so far across the league (Callis; Kevin Goldstein, Baseball Prospectus) (Buckel, who is forgoing a commitment to Pepperdine, will report to the Arizona League)

·         The Rangers have granted righthander Geoff Geary’s request for his release

·         The trade deadline arrives Saturday afternoon at 3:00 Central; stay tuned  

Postgame Alert for the Braves

Atlanta Braves Postgame Alert
July 28, 2010

Atlanta 3, Washington 1 at Nationals Park
Atlanta Record: (58-42)
Washington Record: (43-58)

Winning pitcher - Tim Hudson (11-5)
Losing pitcher - Livan Hernandez (7-7)
SV - Billy Wagner (23)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
ATL	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0		3	8	0
WSH	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0		1	7	0

GAME LINKS:
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Next Atlanta Game: July 29, 2010 12:35 PM ET vs. Washington Nationals

Upcoming Atlanta Home Games:
vs. New York Mets, August 2, 2010 07:10 PM ET Purchase Tickets
vs. New York Mets, August 3, 2010 07:10 PM ET Purchase Tickets
vs. New York Mets, August 4, 2010 07:10 PM ET Purchase Tickets

Postgame Alert for the Braves

Atlanta Braves Postgame Alert
July 27, 2010

Atlanta 0, Washington 3 at Nationals Park
Atlanta Record: (57-42)
Washington Record: (43-57)

Winning pitcher - Miguel Batista (1-2)
Losing pitcher - Tommy Hanson (8-7)
SV - Matt Capps (25)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
ATL	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	5	2
WSH	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	X		3	6	0

GAME LINKS:
Recap | Full Box Score | Photo Gallery | Highlights

Visit braves.com for more information »
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Next Atlanta Game: July 28, 2010 07:05 PM ET vs. Washington Nationals

Upcoming Atlanta Home Games:
vs. New York Mets, August 2, 2010 07:10 PM ET Purchase Tickets
vs. New York Mets, August 3, 2010 07:10 PM ET Purchase Tickets
vs. New York Mets, August 4, 2010 07:10 PM ET Purchase Tickets

The White Sox Are "Trying to Accelerate Talks" for Prince Fielder

By Craig Calcaterra

I don't know if this says more about the White Sox' actual interests or if it simply says more about the colorful manner in which White Sox sources talk to reporters, but today -- one day after the Sox were said to be "trying desperately" to get Adam Dunn -- they are reported to be "trying to accelerate talks" for Prince Fielder. Tune in tomorrow to see if they're "striving valiantly" for Lance Berkman.

Earlier reports had White Sox people saying that they didn't think Prince Fielder was a good fit for the organization and all of that. Hard to say what that even means, because there aren't a ton of teams that couldn't do with his production in the midst of a playoff drive. Maybe it's just that they felt that it would be easier to stick Adam Dunn at DH whereas Fielder's presence may create more political problems for Paul Konerko or something. Maybe it's a function of their being unable to land Fielder without parting with Gordon Beckham, which they don't want to do.

Or maybe this is just Kenny Williams being smart. He's the most obvious buyer for big honkin' DH/1B types right now, and if he can get both the Nats and Brewers thinking he's talking to the other, the price of both Dunn and Fielder may go down.

MLB Second Half Preview

When Oakland outfielder Rajai Davis heard the Texas Rangers had acquired Cliff Lee from Seattle late last month, he reacted the same way as many others around baseball.

“They’re trying to make a real run, huh?” Davis said. “They’re not playing around.”

The Rangers may be in the middle of a messy ownership change that includes a rancorous bankruptcy proceeding, but that didn’t stop them from making the first major splash before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Texas added Lee to a team that will carry a 41/2-game lead in the AL West into the second half of the season, which begins Thursday.

The Rangers are looking for their first playoff appearance since 1999, and adding Lee to a formidable offence lets everyone know they’re serious. Lee was 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five postseason starts last year for the Phillies. But more importantly, he was 2-0 against the mighty New York Yankees in the World Series.

So who will be the next team to make a move?

The Los Angeles Angels are looking to add a big bat to stay in contention with Texas, and the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox have similar designs.

“The probability of big guys moving at the deadline is always a risky proposition to try to handicap,” Angels’ manager Mike Scioscia said. “Things can change from week to week.”

One thing we do know is that the winner of the National League pennant will have home-field advantage for the World Series after the NL beat the American League 3-1 on Tuesday night for its first victory in the all-star game since 1996.

With tight races everywhere and the powerful Yankees playing for something bigger than just another title, buckle up for what is shaping to be a wild ride over the next few months.

Here’s a look at some of the keys to the rest of the season:

MOTIVATED YANKEES: The Yankees steamrolled into the all-star break with 30 victories in their final 44 games, looking every bit the favourite that they usually are.

The defending world champions may not even need to make a move after getting all the extra motivation they needed when long-time owner George Steinbrenner died this week.

Alex Rodriguez shared a story about a handwritten note Steinbrenner had delivered to him in 2004 that read “I’m counting on you” with capital letters and exclamation point.

“So I think to this day, we are still playing for him, not to let him down,” A-Rod said.

TIGHT RACES: No team is running away with anything. The biggest lead in any division is the Rangers’ 4 1 / 2 games over the Angels in the AL West.

A few of the more intriguing races:

—AL East: Arguably the three best teams in baseball – the Yankees (56-32), Rays (54-34) and Red Sox (51-37) – are fighting for the title and likely the AL wild card. The Atlanta Braves (52-36) are the only other team in baseball with a better record than third-place Boston.

—NL West: Can Mat Latos, Heath Bell and the remarkably successful San Diego Padres make their two-game lead over the Rockies and Dodgers stand up for another few months?

—NL Central: The Cincinnati Reds (49-41) have been the other big surprise, one game in front of star-studded St. Louis at the break.

KEY INJURIES: They always play a big part in who makes it in and who falls short in the playoff race. This year, several teams have been ravaged, including:

—Boston Red Sox: pitcher Clay Buchholz, catcher Victor Martinez, second baseman Dustin Pedroia (fractured left foot), outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (broken ribs), catcher Jason Varitek (fractured right foot), third baseman Mike Lowell (right hip) and pitcher Josh Beckett (back) have all missed significant time. Yet the Red Sox still trail the Yankees by only five games in the AL East.

—Philadelphia Phillies: The two-time defending NL champs, and the 2008 World Series champs, are off to a slower start this year after injuries to second baseman Chase Utley (right thumb), pitcher J.A. Happ (left forearm) and third baseman Placido Polanco (left elbow). Utley isn’t expected back any time soon, and key relievers Ryan Madson and Chad Durbin have also been hurt.

—New York Mets: Shortstop Jose Reyes aggravated his sore right side and missed the all-star game, but centre fielder Carlos Beltran is set to make his season debut Thursday after right knee surgery.

—Minnesota Twins: First baseman Justin Morneau (concussion) has been out a week, shortstop J.J. Hardy and second baseman Orlando Hudson have made trips to the disabled list, and catcher Joe Mauer’s shoulder is hurting for the stumbling Twins, who have fallen to third place in the AL Central.

YOUNG GUNS: It’s not just the year of the pitcher, it’s the year of the young pitcher.

“It seemed like 15 years ago, it was a time of young shortstops, and other times, it seems there’s an influx of great, young talent in outfielders,” Yankees’ manager Joe Girardi said. “But right now the influx of young pitching in baseball is incredible, and not just guys with stuff; guys that know how to pitch in tough division series at a young age.”

Can these young guns hold up through hot pennant races?

—Tampa Bay Rays: David Price (24) started the all-star game, and Matt Garza (26) was the MVP of the ALCS two years ago. James Shields (28), Jeff Niemann (27) and Wade Davis (24) give the second-place Rays a battle-tested young staff.

—Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies: The 26-year-old Dominican is chasing history at 15-1 at the break, and he has the Rockies two games back of San Diego in second place in the NL West.

—Cincinnati Reds: Johnny Cueto (24) and Mike Leake (22) were a combined 14-3 at the break, and Travis Wood (23) nearly tossed a perfect game last Saturday against Philadelphia.

—Stephen Strasburg, Nationals (pictured): The Nationals may be out of it, but it’s going to be fun watching how baseball’s newest rock star responds to all the attention that has turned each of the rookie’s starts into an event.

The Associated Press

MLB Teams Take Scouting to New Level, Track Umpires

By BEN WALKER AP Baseball Writer

Ron Washington flips the pages of his three-ring notebook, filled with inside info on the other team's pitchers and hitters.

The Texas manager gets to the back of the black binder, reaches into the pocket and pulls out another scouting report — on that night's home plate umpire.

It's a color-coded computer printout showing his strike zone — how he tends to call balls and strikes — and whether he usually gives the pitcher a break if the ball sails just off the corner of the plate. In this ump's case, the calls on the edges are too inconsistent to be predictable.

"We do have their tendencies in the dugout on the wall. The name of the umpire and his tendencies, what they call and what part of the zone they call strikes," Washington said.

"When I was playing, we just knew he was a high-ball umpire or a low-ball umpire, whether he was a pitcher's umpire or a hitter's umpire," he said.

Merry Christmas

I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, keep it safe and have fun. I am just hopeful that the two can mix.

Home Plate

Happy Holidays

Don't click there... it's just a picture.

Home Plate

Game 77: Texas at Washington

This was a series the Rangers should have swept. The 14 innings loss was a bit tough. But it almost seems like the Rangers made up for it with the 13-3 win last night. This is a day game and the Rangers are 8-15 during day games. They hit a .255 batting average and a fourth worst ERA at 5.09 in the Majors for day games. The 1.66 WHIP is the worst in the Majors.

The Nationals are 10-13 during day games and are below average on just about all accounts in the stats department.

Want some good news, Ranger fans? How about Padilla being 2-0 in three day game starts this season. I would say that is AWESOME! Now, Padilla has 14 games against Washington (10 starts) and has a 3-4 record on Washington. He has a 3.99 ERA and opponents are .280 off him. He is 6-1 away from home this season. When he pitched his complete game shutout on 4/27/08, he started a stretch where he would go 7-1 and the Rangers would go 9-1 when he starts. He also saw his ERA drop from 4.97 down to the 3.73 that it is now. A win today would put him at 10 wins, and still a fair amount of time before the All-Star break.

Now, Padilla does have Washington hitters numbers. The current roster is battig .200 off him. The numbers are just so pathetic, that I feel it would be wrong to post them.

John Lannan has never faced a Rangers hitter. And this guy STINKS at home. He is 1-4 with a 5.76 ERA at his house. Granted, he is 4-8 overall, his 3.36 ERA is very respectable. He could be trade material after the All-Star break. The Nationals are 0-5 in his last five starts, and Lannan is 0-4 during that stretch. He has pitched 6 innings or more in his last four starts and he gave up two runs in each of his last four starts. Opponents are batting .295 off him at home. I guess he doesn't like Washington much.

Upcoming Series - Rangers at Houston:

• Tuesday: Hurley vs. Moehler
• Wednesday: Feldman vs. Chacon
• Thursday: Millwood vs. Oswalt

Forecast: Rangers wrap up the series with a win. Padilla doesn't bean anyone and Rangers bats do enough, score: 5-3.

Home Plate

Game 76: Texas at Washington

In honor of the post yesterday, I just thought it would be good to have the Rangers go up against Washington. I mean, they are going up against Washington, but the skipper is Washington, so...
And then there is this guy named "Mock"... Wow, the possibilities are endless with a name like Mock. I will restrain myself, though.

Mock has one career start in the Majors. That was a game on June 8th where he was hammered for 7 hits and issued 3 walks in 4.1 innings of work against San Francisco. In that game, he gave up 4 runs and left with the loss and a 8.31 ERA. He did throw 70 pitches over that stretch. Two batters grounded into a double play, which kind of makes sense since he put a lot of runners on. It just increases the opportunity to turn one. Opposition batted .412 and had an OBP of 50% and a slugging of .529... Wow... talk abut a rough introduction to the Majors.

Gabbard is nearing a total amount of innings that a full season in the rotation would bring. He has 29 starts, 154.1 innings, a 4.55 ERA and a 8-7 record for a career. His OBP is dropping and currently rests at .295... another thing that is dropping is his K/9, which last season was 6.09 and this year is 4.56 (and that is a substantial amount). In 81.1 innings last year, Gab had 41 walks (roughly one per two innings), and this year, it is higher. He has 32 in 47.1 innings, or three in four innings. Figure in the high batting average opponents have on him, and it really is a wonder why his ERA is only 4.94...

He has never pitched against Washington or any of their players.

In the last 10 starts for Gabbard, the Rangers are 6-4, but Gabbard is 0-3 in his last four starts.

Forecast: I noticed that Gabbard isn't all that good in Arlington. His ERA is higher at home, so it may benefit the Rangers to have him pitch more on the road. And today, Gabbard will benefit from being on the road. Rangers win this one in a landslide, 12-4.

Home Plate

Game 75: Texas at Washington

Washington and Texas. Washington bites. Texas doesn't.
Speaking of biting, I don't think you have seen Redding's numbers against the Rangers. Check out these pretty things: 8.2 innings and 17 runs - 21 hits - 4 walks - 17.65 ERA - .477 BAA - 2.88 WHIP. And in four games (two starts) he is only 0-1. I was expecting something like 0-3...

Millwood is 15-5 with 4 complete games and 2 shutouts against Washington with a 3.60 ERA. His 3-0 record since returning from the DL is remarkable. Since the Internet is hating me today... I am just going to wrap it up. I would have really have checked out pitcher vs. batter stats.
The Rangers have bought in to Washington's way of play. And they couldn't be much happier. When was the last time we saw a player with the coaches mug on it?
This is just a reminder... in case the record doesn't say the obvious.
Forecast: You know, it is not the Internet that is hating me today, but my keyboard is a bit of a pisser, too. Anyway, the Rangers will probably win this one, since Millwood has nothing but success on the Nationals and Redding has nothing but FAILURE. Rangers win it, not by a mile, but by four runs, 6-2.

Home Plate

Friday and Saturday Picks (9/9 and 9/10)

Friday, Sept. 9th

Rangers vs. A’s – Dominguez vs. Zito – well, logic would naturally say Zito. But Dominguez just gets better and better with each start. In his last start, he went into the eighth inning with a no hitter. Granted, that was KC, but still a no-no is a no-no. He has a 1.69 ERA in his last three starts. Zito has a 3.44 in his last three, including a clobbering against New York. The A’s are cold right now. Zito really does own the Rangers. The Rangers as a team hit .204 in 224 at bats. Of the 46 hits, 12 are extra bases. No long ball tonight, 4 homers against Zito. Hard call to make. Rangers don’t do well against Zito, A’s are cold, Dominguez is hot… A shot in the dark, but I will go with Texas 4-3.

Braves vs. Nats – Ramirez vs. Loaiza – I have always liked Loaiza, when he was with the Rangers and after that. He is a good pitcher, not on a good team, though. He is 10-10 with a 3.62 ERA this year, 3.26 in his last 3. Ramirez is 3.32 in his last 3, and has a 11-8 mark. He doesn’t do well on the road, though (3-7, 5.61 ERA). I am going with the Nats on this 6-4.

Astros vs. Alcoholics – Clemens vs. Davis – Clemens has a 6-2 mark on the road and a 0.52 ERA. Astros 5-1.

Big Fish vs. Female Horse – Burnett vs. Lidle – Both have been throwing grapefruit over their last 3 (6.75 and 6.43 ERA’s respectively). Burnett has had better success this season. Marlins over Phillies 5-2.

D-Backs vs. the Other Alcoholic Team – Estes vs. Kim – Kim is hot, Estes is not. Kim has a 0.92 ERA in his last 3. Estes has an 8.40 over his last 3. Granted, Colorado is not a good team; D-Backs are nothing to brag about, either. Upset, D-Backs over Rockies in a squeaker 5-4.

Saturday, Sept 10th

Rangers vs. A’s – Blanton vs. Loe – Kameron Loe is quickly becoming one of top Rangers players of all time. I just like the guy. 6 foot 8, strong pitcher, great command, and his numbers prove me right. 3.22 ERA for the season, 0.95 ERA over his last three. Blanton stinks on the road. 3-7 mark tells all. Rangers take this one as I get my Tex statue, 4-2.

Braves vs. Nats – Sosa vs. Hernandez – Sosa is undefeated on the road. Braves 5-3.

Astros vs. Alcoholics – Pettitte vs. Ohka – Never heard of Ohka. Pettitte will take this one just on principal (Plus Pettitte has a 0.44 ERA in his last 3). Astros 4-2.

Big Fish vs. Female Horse – Vargas vs. Myers – Big Fish is a really good movie, by the way. Pretty even on the surface, but Myers is by far better upon closer review. Philly 6-3.

D-Backs vs. the Other Alcoholic Team – Vargas vs. Day – These guys should go back to the grapefruit league for real. It’s a beautiful day… good for a song, not for this pitcher. However, he does throw an even 3 at home, and that is what I will have to make my call on. Rockies 7-2.

FC Dallas vs. DC United – Soccer… well, FC Dallas has lost quite a bit of late… I will say they end that streak against DC. Why not, right? Besides, what do I know soccer anyway… FC Dallas 3-1.

Home Plate

Monday, August 29th

Well, what a weekend I had. Rangers Game. Won 6-0. Cowboys Game. Won 21-9. Strange Days are upon us. Sorry for not keeping on top of things. I find it is harder to post on the weekends. But alas, here we are, another day in paradise.

Rangers vs. White Sox - Dominguez vs. Buehrle - Wow, over the last 3 starts, Dominguez has been better. That is a surprise, especially since the Rangers and pitching used in the same words. AND, that Rangers pitchers look better than, well, anyone for that matter, is always shocking for me. Season wise, though, looks typical. Buehrle looks by far better. Some concerns, though, is that he got WHIPPED by Kansas City not too long ago. Boston twice. Add a Minnesota in there, too. He is 3-3 in his last 6 starts and is 14-6 overall. He dominates Rangers hitters with a .181 ave (19 for 105). Rangers need Dominguez to be at a career best. Dominguez is still "fresh," only 3 starts this year and each time out is better than the previous one. White Sox hit .231 against him (3 for 13), but have 5 walks. Logic screams White Sox all the way, and that is what I will call. Sox 5-1.

Washington vs. Braves - Patterson vs. Sosa - Sosa looks great. He has won 5 of his last 6 decisions and has worked in and out of the bullpen. Has a 9-2 mark and a 2.56 ERA to boot. Against the Nats, he has a 2.70 ERA this year and he has a 2.39 ERA this month. Nats hitters are .235 against him and NO DINGERS in 51 at bats. Patterson is 8-4 with a 2.43 ERA this year. He has dumbfounded the Braves this year with a 0.75 ERA and holding them to a batting ave of .077 (AMAZING) - that's 12 innings and only 3 hits, folks. Career, the Braves are 9 for 69, but two of those are trippers and they collected 7 RBIs. They make the hits count. Still, Nats over Braves 3-2.

D-Backs vs. Fathers (Padres) - Ortiz vs. Williams - Mellon Man is pitching for the D-Backs, a 6.95 ERA (How is this guy in the majors? This isn't softball.) However, against San Diego, he is a little better with a 6.00 ERA (HA!) D-Backs lost to the Padres when he pitched 9-5. Play it again? Giles and Loretta will have a good night for the Padres. Young? He is 0-11 against Ortiz. If he bats 1 through 9, D-Backs may have a chance. Heard it here first. So, Williams is 6-10 with a 5.14 ERA. He has a 4.76 ERA against the D-Backs this year - look for a lot of walks from him. He has 7 in 11 1/3 innings against the D-Backs this year. As a matter of fact, in August, he has given up 20 walks in 22 2/3 innings. Control is not a part of his game. Arizona (career) has a .234 against him in 214 at bats, 9 Dingers and 20 RBIs. Padres take this one in a close game, 8-6.

Alcoholics are off as are the minor league female horses. But aren't they always?