Texas Rangers 2016 Thread

ViperHorn said:
The offense might have to carry the team for more than a game during the ALCS and WS.
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Not a bad point at all. Other teams will be in the same boat - one or two dependable starters followed by a roll of the dice for the third. When our #3 faces their #3, you would expect an offensive game, and that's when our offense needs to pile up a bunch of runs early so Bannister can turn a lead over to the bullpen to close it out.
 
Rangers get a day off and both Seattle and Houston lose so the lead expands to 7 over the Mariners and 10 1/2 over the Astros. It almost time to stop watching Houston and just focus on the Mariners. As for a third pitcher in the playoffs, Perez is a different pitcher depending on whether he is at home or on the road and he slots in at the three spot for the first home game in a series where Rangers dont have home field. Colby should be back and with a few starts under his belt is the likely fourth pitcher.

Meanwhile, Lucroy is turning out to be a huge acquisition not only for his 7 homers but the way he is stabilizing Yu (who really seems to respect and listen to him) and the other pitchers. Chirinos was an ok to solid catcher, Lucroy is a very good to great one and he is making some serious cash on his next contract with what has done in his first 16 games with the Rangers who do have hm locked up for next year too before that next contract comes into play.

After this five game road trip the Rangers come to their rubicon with four against Cleveland, seven with Seattle and three with the Astros, a stretch that probably decides whether the Rangers run away with the AL West or are in a September dog fight.:texasflag:
 
FWHORN said:
four against Cleveland, seven with Seattle and three with the Astros, a stretch that probably decides whether the Rangers run away with the AL West or are in a September dog fight.
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Right, FWHORN. And with a seven-game lead, a .500 record in those 14 games would make it extremely difficult for a challenger to catch up (assuming the .500 includes at least a split with Seattle).
And I'm assuming the Rangers plan a big contract extension for Lucroy - there are not a lot of potential free agent catchers forecast, and the farm system doesn't appear to have a future all-star in the making. I'd love to see the Rangers tie up both Lucroy and Desmond long-term - but if money permits signing only one of them, I'd prefer Lucroy.
 
If you get a catcher who can play offense and defense on a championship level, you do not let him go. Lucroy's emergence with Yu could provide a glimmer of hope that Yu stays instead of going to Houston (he only came to Texas because of Nolan).
 
Rangers split first two in Tampa. Would be nice to go 3-2 on this little 5 game road trip before the big home stand with Cleveland, Seattle and Houston. Hamels had a great outing last night and look for Holland to be back next week in five spot against Cleveland.:texasflag:
 
Ugly game Sunday afternoon in Tampa. Perez can't seem to avoid a blowup inning during a game. He is pitching his way out of the playoff rotation - if either Holland or Lewis comes back in form, Perez won't be in the playoff rotation.

Seattle seems to be serious about making a run at the West. Time for the Rangers to reach back for some grit and determination. It would be a very nice start to win both games in Cincinnati.
 
Perez gives up 6 in the fourth and that dooms the Rangers to another loss to a last place team from another division (between Tampa and Minnesota the Rangers are a stellar 3-7 with a few more against the Rays coming in September). Fortunately, Seattle gave up 4 in the ninth yesterday and as a result the lead is still 6 games (5 in loss column). Houston is still looming 8 1/2 back having won 3 straight in Baltimore. Off day today then two in Cincinnati, another last place team before the huge home stand to end August and start September.
 
After an off day Monday that saw both Seattle and Houston carve another 1/2 game off the Rangers lead, Texas is in Cincinnati today to start two game set with everyone's favorite dutchmen Derek Holland back from his extended DL stay to start. If he can just be capable then Texas has its number five starter back and can set up this stretch run with some stability at the bottom end of its starting five, if he is his normal wild self then all bets are off. After Hamels and Darvish the Rangers are a really unsteady and you just dont know what you will get from Griffin, Perez and whoever is at the five spot so no lead is big enough to feel comfortable about especially with 37 games left on the schedule.
 
FWHORN said:
If he can just be capable then Texas has its number five starter back and can set up this stretch run with some stability at the bottom end of its starting five, if he is his normal wild self then all bets are off
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^^^^ Exactly.

Until Holland is pitching well again he is officially off MY favorite Dutchmen list.
 
Josh Hamilton placed on unconditional release waivers, may resign after the end of this season to a Rangers' minor league contract which he is agreeable to.

A really good but starcrossed player.
 
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I am one of his fans. It is truly a sad and slow ending for the career of a player with incredible talent that fought demons & made some bad decisions during his playing days. He could have been so much more to MLB than he will be remembered for.

He did give the fans (especially Rangers) some INCEDIBLE memories and I thank him for that.

I wish him well in the future.
 
Good news and bad news from Cincinnati. Good news - Holland pitched very well, very economical with pitch count, seemed to work quite well with Lucroy. Bad news - the offense was offensive - couldn't score a run and wasted some good opportunities.

Really need a W in Cincinnati tomorrow before coming back to Arlington to face Cleveland and Seattle.
 
Holland looks really good even picking up the loss only giving up one run in 6 innings, but the offense really struggled as everything hit hard seemed right at someone or just not quite far enough from a hard charging outfield. Fortunately, the Mariners and Astros lose so no change in the standings and as we move to September every day where the Rangers either build or maintain the lead is a good one. Darvish goes today as the Rangers look to end this three game losing streak.
 
Holland was good enough last night, but he is generally good the first game back. Hopefully by the third game back we will know where is head is.

Rangers' magic number (over Seattle) is 32. Seattle could run out of time.
 
Rangers with a mighty strange 6-5 win to end road trip. Darvish hits a 410 foot bomb for his first ever home run but is wild through 6 and gets a no decision. If I dont have to see that reds center fielder run down another well hit ball that just turns into another long out again for a year it will be too soon. With Seattle losing, the Rangers lead is now 6 and 1/2 and its magic number time as the Rangers magic number to win AL West is now at 30 with 35 games left to play. The Rangers come home for a ten game home stand and 14 game stretch that has the capability of being decisive in how much we have to sweat September, 4 with Cleveland followed by 3 each against Seattle and Houston. and then 4 in Seattle. In 14 games we will have a great idea of whether October baseball in Arlington is a given or something that will be down to the wire.:texasflag:
 
I would hate to be the Cincinnati pitcher facing his team's kangaroo court - wonder what the fine is for giving up a homer to an AL pitcher?
 
I guess I kind of knew this but it didnt really click until saw it this morning on LSB, Rangers have 22 home games and just 13 road games left in these last 35 and they are 19 games over .500 at home. Things are certainly set up as well as they can be to get this done.:texasflag:
 
Magic Number update:

32 as of beginning of play 24 August

-1 Seattle loss
-1 Texas win

30 as of start of play 25 August
 
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Something else to keep an eye on, Colby Lewis pitched 2 and 2/3 last night for Frisco and according to DMN this morning looked pretty good, he can do up to 2 more rehab starts in minors before their season ends so if things continue in good way for him look for Colby some time shortly after labor day. I would expect he would replace Griffin who would go to long relief for balance of year and be available for spot starts.
 
Cole Hamels with his second straight dominant start as Rangers blow out Cleveland in the opener of the 4 game series 9-0. The bats showed up including Carlos Gomez who gets called up to play left and promptly hits a 3 run jack on his first at bat, so the troll job of Houston is now complete with his signing, call up and immediate impact. Great start to this huge 14 game stretch as magic number falls to 29 for an AL West title.:texasflag:
 
Magic Number update:

Seattle
30 as of beginning of play 25 August

-1 Seattle loss
-1 Texas win

28 as of start of play 26 August

Houston
28 as of beginning of play 25 August

- Houston DNP
-1 Texas win

27 as of start of play 26 August
 
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Friday night to forget as Rangers get crushed 12-1. Martin Perez with his usual blow up inning leaves down 6-1 and backend of bullpen shows why they are back end. Seattle and Houston gain a game as they both win. Griffin and Holland over next two days to finish out this series. Colby is now aiming for a September 3 return so we could see him as early as a week from today/:texasflag:
 
Games remaining as of 27 August:
Texas - 33
Seattle - 33
Houston - 34
​
Magic Number update:

Seattle
28 as of beginning of play 26 August

- Seattle win
- Texas loss

28 as of start of play 27 August

Houston
27 as of beginning of play 26 August

- Houston win
- Texas loss

27 as of start of play 27 August
 
Very nice job by AJ tonight - 6 scoreless innings, and pretty much in command all the way. Helps to go back to the mound for top of the seconds with a five-run lead.

Also helps that Chicago put a whuppin' on Seattle. Mariners and Astros now tied for second, 7.5 games back.
 
Games remaining as of 28 August:
Texas - 32
Seattle - 32
Houston - 33

Magic Number update:

Seattle
28 as of beginning of play 27 August

-1 Seattle loss
-1 Texas win

26 as of start of play 28 August

Houston
27 as of beginning of play 27 August

- Houston win
-1 Texas win

26 as of start of play 28 August
 
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Games remaining as of 29 August:
Texas - 31
Seattle - 31
Houston - 32

With the win over the Indians on the 27th, the Rangers took the series with the Indians. Thus Texas will have home field advantage in any playoff series between the two teams.

Magic Number update:

Seattle
26 as of beginning of play 28 August

-1 Seattle loss
-1 Texas win

24 as of start of play 29 August

Houston
26 as of beginning of play 28 August

-1 Houston loss
-1 Texas win

24 as of start of play 29 August
 
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