Rangers 5/26

The Rangers are as hot as any other team in the majors right now. And they're doing it with quality pitching, very good defense, and timely hitting - they are not winning by simply beating the other team to death with their bats. That's encouraging. I'm sure the cold streak will come, just as the hot streak did. But if the fundamentals, especially pitching and defense, which were never strong suits for the Rangers, continue, they will be in the thick of the West throughout the season.
I really do like the philosophy of building from within - it's nice to see prospects working their way through the minors to get to Arlington, especially the likes of Derek Holland. Consider the example set by the Atlanta Braves - in the late '80s, they were horrible. So they traded every veteran they could for prospects, restocked the farm system, put a hard focus on the draft, and took their lumps at the major league level while the process developed the next generation of home-grown talent. If you look at their record through the '90s and the first part of this decade, it seemed to work pretty well - and it looks like the Rangers are trying to emulate the Braves.

HHD
hookem.gif
texasflag.gif
coolnana.gif
ousucksnana.gif
 
I am a closet Rangers fan. Never a true believer and I resent Hicks and all the different directions he has taken this franchise (while raising ticket prices every year). I do find your comparison to the Braves to be interesting. Last year, at the end of the season, Hicks said the Rangers were emulating the Devil Rays. The year before it was the Brewers. The year before that it was someone else. They need to emulate the Rangers and be their own franchise. Pick a direction and go with it. It appears they have done that, but I hope they stick to it (for better or for worse).
 
Finding a way to win tonight was pretty sweet. Josh Hamilton looks pretty good and the pitching is decent. It's tough to not have Francisco but they powered thru despite CJ. How about that play by Elvis? Amazing.
bounce.gif
 
Rangers have only given up 25 hits in the last 5 games.

In that span only one pitcher failed to make it into the 7th inning and he got one out into the 6th. Padilla has thrown back to back 1 hitters and Harrison has a 19 inning scoreless streak.

In my 28 yrs of following Rangers baseball that has got to be one of the better runs for their starting rotation. I think we are seeing Maddux and Nolan's influences really starting to pay dividends.

It's scary to think how good this team could be if it still had even one of the Chris Young, John Danks or Edinson Volquez trio in the rotation.
 
It's early yet, and I am counting no chickens, but DAMN! this feels good ... 5 games over and in first place.

Good pitching, good defense and timely hitting. Who knew???
 
Rangers, baby! Another comeback win today, 3 runs in the 9th. Hammer with another jack, followed by Crush's walk-off homer.
bounce2.gif
 
Interesting stuff from Jayson Stark:

• Texas Hold 'Em: Meanwhile, across the state, scouts who have followed the Rangers have a completely different vision of where Texas' other team might be headed.


"I think they've got a chance to steal that division," one scout said. "What I'd love to see them do is reach down, call up that kid Neftali Feliz and say, 'We're going to give it a run in September.' I know they don't want to push him. But this kid has electric stuff. It's about the easiest 100 [mph] you'll ever see. It's like he's having a catch, except it's 100 miles an hour."

A second scout sang the same song, saying, "I'd like to see them do what Colorado did a couple of years ago with [Ubaldo] Jimenez and [Franklin] Morales -- put Feliz and [Derek] Holland in the rotation and go for it. I think they could pull it off.

"People haven't noticed, but their pitchers have pitched a lot better. Nolan [Ryan] has brought a different philosophy, and Mike Maddux is as good a pitching coach as it gets. They're pitching more aggressively with their fastballs, and they're pitching inside a lot better. Look at [Vicente] Padilla and [Kevin] Millwood. They were given up for dead a year ago. Right now, they're pitching their butts off. I'm starting to think that team could be one of the nice little stories of the year."
 
another exciting win for the rangers.
bounce2.gif


the one thing i have noticed over time is that lastros fans seem to cope with their choking, also-ran ways by kicking rangers fans. rangers fans could give a **** about the lastros.
 
Went to the last two games against Seattle with my parents; best damn time I've had at a ballpark in my life. The pitching is obviously the difference so far this year, but it's a long season, and we're not even 1/4 of the way done. Thank God Padilla and Millwood are pitching for contracts this year, and I'm really, really happy (obviously) with how Matt Harrison is developing this year. McCarthy is still frustrating as hell, seems like every start he gives us 6 innings - 4 great ones and 2 with a few scattered baserunners followed by a homerun. If I had to place a bet on who loses their spot in the rotation to Derek Holland it'd be McCarthy, but hopefully he'll get it turned around. Neftali Feliz made his first start after a week off yesterday, and struck out 7 and gave up only 1 hit in 5 innings. I figure it will be a month at minimum before he gets called up (if only due to the shoulder soreness he had last week), but it's only a matter of time with that kid.

Obviously, if the pitching goes into the tank, so will the team. As long as it holds up like it has, the bats have the ability to beat anyone. It'll be interested to see what happens with Ben Sheets if/when he completes his rehab, he'd definitely be worth looking at on an incentive-laden deal....

It's been a fun season so far, things will get interesting this weekend when the Angels come to town...
 
Figures Dontrelle would choose his breakout performance on the night he faces us. Damn, 1-hitter. 4-0 loss.

Harrison takes the bump tonight, looking for another stellar start.

The hitting is starting to worry me a little. We've been winning w/pitching and defense. Speechless.
 
The Triple Play absolutely spurred the Rangers. They got 3 times as many hits as they had had the previous 13 innings and scored one more run. Just wasn't enough. They need to end this f'ing Voodoo Jinx in Tiger town.

Hook'em!!!
texasflag.gif
 
Swept. What a downer after all the positive momentum we'd generated. The Tigers just have our number right now.

0-fer-the-season and 0-fer-last-11 at Comerica.
 
I am soooooo pissed at the Rangers getting swept by the tiggers after the last couple of weeks of winning ball
mad.gif
 
Larry, I like the way you think. Who you got for tomorrow?

OBTW, experienced a first tonight...went to Fenway and saw the Sawx vs. Mets. GREAT atmosphere and tremendous game.

Hook'em!!!
texasflag.gif
 
Horn69: did you buy a ticket behind one of the poles?? I am guessing not. Great stadium; went there last season.

And don't look now, CJ got the save.
eek.gif


Cruz is 7 for 15 with four homers and eight RBIs in his last four games. Come on McCarthy...give the team some good innings on Sunday.
 
How'd you guess Dew? No pole. Between Home and 3rd. 12 Rows up in Grandstand. Great view of field. I bought mine on EBay. And all the sellers - and there were LOADS - all advertised their tix as either "with" obstructed view. or "not" obstructed. Was pretty impressed with the honesty. Was really a great experience.

Hook'em!!!
texasflag.gif
 
I'm telling you...since C.J. started pulling his cap down and never looking outside of home plate, he's been much better. Is in focus and on target. Will make for good set-up guy once Frankie returns.

Hook'em!!!
texasflag.gif
 
I think the acquisition of O'Day is the reason C.J. Wilson is pitching better. I think he read the handwriting on the wall and realized he could be either sat or shopped. Hence, a more focused Wilson.
 
Everyone seems to get healthy when they play my Astros. It may be a long season, but I'll stick with them. I sure miss Bags and Bigg!
 
Man, that was a beating yesterday. Partially spoiled a wonderful Memorial Day at the Ballpark. Colt threw out first pitch, but we missed it due the absurd amount of traffic.

Every Yankee hit was a rope. I'm more amazed we couldn't do more off of Hughes.
 
As I reminded my wife while we were watching the beatdown on FSW, a loss is just one loss - whether by one run or ten. It was just one of those days - Matt could not seem to get his curve across, and the Yankees were sitting on the fastball and creaming it.
I'll be there cheering tonight with Mrs. HHD. And I expect the score will be 0-0 just as the first pitch is thrown - a new day, and another chance to beat 'em.

HHD
hookem.gif
texasflag.gif
coolnana.gif
ousucksnana.gif
 
Completely agree, HHD! My Aggie friend and I were making the same comments around the time Kris Benson came into the game.

"At least they can't carry these runs over."
smile.gif
 
Wow, that NYY beatdown put a hurt on my Memorial Day karma.... HHD, tonight I am counting on yours & Ms. HHD's presence to help pull out the victory over the Yanks. Just git 'er done amigo!
texasflag.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Weekly Prediction Contest

* Predict HORNS-AGGIES *
Sat, Nov 30 • 6:30 PM on ABC

Recent Threads

Prediction Results Threads

2024 Schedules

Back
Top