Pitching Problems, Feel That Breeze, and A Big Minor Statement

I know who wouldv'e thought that Texas would have pitching troubles? Well everybody monitering the AL West, for a start. But this series against the Yankees has been the first all year. The Yankees are a slugging team this year, but giving up 20 runs in 2 of the 3 games is ridiculous. And now Matt Harrison is all but on the DL, the pitching is going in the opposite direction of the Angels pitching. Tommy Hunter has been called up to replace him. I'm a little nervous about that. Hunter is (another) contact pitcher. In his big league career, he isn't what you might call impressive. Last year he went 11 innings, going 0-2 in 3 starts, with a 16.36 ERA. I want to see how he fares in Rangers Ballpark this year though. Vicente Padilla could be back by the beginning of June. I'm waiting for Willie Eyre to get back. He's one of the few minor leaguers I trust to come up as soon as he's off the DL, to replace Kris Benson, who IMO is holding our bullpen back. I also want to see Dustin Nippert before too long, but if that doesn't work out, and if we're buyers in July, we should be expecting another arm, most likely a reliever, or left handed starter.

Well it's finally happened. It couldn't be over looked forever. Chris Davis' job is in jeopardy because the wind coming from his swing, is carrying too many homeruns out that aren't his. One third of his hits are homeruns, but one nearly half of his total at-bats are strikeouts. Once again watch his swings, they are exaggeratedly perpendicular to the ground. He isn't striking out due to bad timing, he's striking out simply because the ball is coming at him horizontally, but he's swinging vertically. I expect this situation to be taken care of soon. This problem needs to be addressed, and I hope he does lose his job, because .280-.300 on doubles is much better than .200-.220 on homeruns. That's why he bats so much lower in the order than Byrd, Young, and Kinsler. He's just like any other defensive firstbaseman floating around the .200 mark, except his rare hits leave the ballpark, rather than just the infield on mildly hit groundballs. He just needs to straighten his swing, I wouldn't rule out the option of sending him to AAA if he's going to do just that. His defense isn't going anywhere. I have nothing against an uppercut swing, but he's relying on his popups to carry over the fence. He's a low ball hitter but he really needs to learn to hit a belt high pitch. The mechanics in his swing are unprofessional. Get ready to see Hank Blalock on first base, I'm giving Davis no mercy on this.

Tonight we are starting a 4 game series vs. Oakland Athletics, in a double header, featuring the previously mentioned Tommy Hunter vs. Josh Outman, and Scott Feldman vs. Edgar Gonzalez. We are 2-2 against the A's this year. Against the rest of the division, we are 8-0. If we can have a dominant series against the team with the worst record in the AL, it would make a statement that we have good control over the division. Oakland has been very streaky lately, getting their wins and losses clumped together. After winning 3 of their last 4 they just might be due to have another losing streak. I think we can split the series easily, but I certainly don't think 3 of 4 is out of the question. It'll all depend on how Hunter does in my opinion.

Final Notes: Michael Young is proving last years decline in hits was because of his broken fingers, Tom Hicks is willing to sell a majority of The Rangers, provided he still has a fair say in the teams matters. Oh, and the Magic are gonna win the NBA Championship.