My Blogs arent going to be as long froim now on I can't stay focused unless there is something that truly deserves a good rant.
Ok trades worth mentioning:
Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco to the Phillies
This is great for Philly Ben Francisco is an underrated bat, and with the Philadelphia offense Lee should be able to keep afloat, but if he can't handle the hitters park his confidence will go right down the drain and Lee doesn't bounce back well or quickly I'll miss Lee being in the AL you can trust him to slip up pitching to you. On the other hand Ranger killer Ben Francisco going with him is well worth it.
Former Pirates to various locations
Watch out or Pittsburgh in the coming years Garrett Jones and Andrew McCutchen are going to lead the pack of young players coming up.
David Ortiz tested positive in 2003 for PEDs. Ortiz did not know this as the list that his name leaked out of was supposed to remain anonymous. "Big Papi" is known quite well for making statements against PED users that some could find radical. My feeling is that Ortiz trusted that the list would keep quiet and he could look like someone based on their statements would be dead set against such things. Before coming to Boston Ortiz clearly weighed less as a Minneasota Twin. Before 2002 in 1200 career plate appearances he had only 38 homeruns. He matched that total three years in a row '04-'06. He says he's shocked at the positive test because of his character rather than his actions.
Awards
AL MVP
Mark Teixeira
NL MVP
Albert Pujols
AL Cy Young
Roy Halladay
NL Cy Young
Matt Cain
AL Rookie
Elvis Andrus
NL Rookie
Colby Rasmus
AL Reliever
Joe Nathan
NL Reliever
Huston Street
Playoffs
ALDS Detroit loses @ New York
ALCS Los Angeles loses @New York
ALDS Boston loses @ Los Angeles
WS San Francisco wins @ New York
NLDS Chicago wins @ Los Angeles
NLCS San Francisco wins @ Chicago
NLD San Francisco wins @ Philadelphia
Showing posts with label Baseball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baseball. Show all posts
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Progress, Records, Stealing The Show, Kinsler vs. Bourn, and Ohh the Irony
Unlike most posts, this blog has everything to do with tonight's game, and nothing to do with anything else.
Matt Harrison fresh off the DL got the call to start for the Rangers Wednesday night against Russ Ortiz starting for Houston. Harrison didn't exhibit the same stuff that he threw in his 2 consecutive complete games in mid May. He tossed an inefficient game, but had great support defensively and adequate support offensively to put him on the hook for the win, throwing 90+ pitches through 5 innings. The sophomore lefty gave up at least one hit 4 of 5 innings, including 2 doubles and a homerun. Michael Young and Chris Davis both had great plays to keep the damage minimized to 3 runs over Matt's 5 innings.
Ivan Rodriguez caught a Major League Baseball game for the 2,227th time in his career Wednesday. That broke the all time record for the stat. Pudge went 1-for-5 with a single. Ron Washington decided to put as much history into the game as possible by starting Omar Vizquel at shortstop. Vizquel needed one hit to tie Luis Aparicio for most hits by a Venezuelan native in Major League Baseball. Vizquel singles in the bottom of the 5th to tie Aparicio. He wouldn't break the record in the 7th, and with Andruw Jones pinch hitting his chance was passed up in the ninth.
What with it being Pudge's big day, some Rangers thought it a good time to prove themselves in front of the former face of the team. With a leadoff double in the first inning Ian Kinsler pulled off a daring move against the 13 time gold glover. He stole third and ran home off a rare throwing error by Pudge. Kinsler would go on to steal another base off him later in the game. Vizquel would also steal a base proving he hasn't slowed any with his age. Jarrod Saltalamacchia would also be tested behind the plate by Michael Bourn. Salty would be able to catch him once of twice. Salty would also homer in the game.
The leadoff hitters for Texas and Houston had big factors in Wednesday's game. Kinsler and Bourn both got on base twice and were able to score for their team early due to very aggresive baserunning. They both set up their teams with the bunt, both for sacrifice and for hits. The two played the game you want to see from your leadoff hitter.
And finally here's what you've all been waiting for, the conclusion of Wednesday night's epic game. The Rangers were leading 4-3 in the top of the 8th when the Arlington born and raised Hunter Pence homered for the Astros. The former Ranger fan's solo shot would tie up the game at 4. Marlon Byrd lead off the 9th inning with a double setting up the bottom of the order for a walk-off win. Chris Davis would fly out to shallow center and Salty and Andruw both struck out swinging. After 2 quick outs in the top of the 10th vintage Wild Thang refused to let Houston go quietly, as Pence doubled for Pudge. C.J. would fall behind 3-1 but battle back and strike him out on a curve ball low. Texas would load up the bases with nobody out for Nelson Cruz. Cruz would fly out to Michael Bourn shallow enough to hold Kinsler at 3rd. The next batter was Houston native, former Astros fan, and all around opposite of Hunter Pence. Murphy would slap a hit to left field to score Kins and walk-off in the 10th to win it for Texas.
Matt Harrison fresh off the DL got the call to start for the Rangers Wednesday night against Russ Ortiz starting for Houston. Harrison didn't exhibit the same stuff that he threw in his 2 consecutive complete games in mid May. He tossed an inefficient game, but had great support defensively and adequate support offensively to put him on the hook for the win, throwing 90+ pitches through 5 innings. The sophomore lefty gave up at least one hit 4 of 5 innings, including 2 doubles and a homerun. Michael Young and Chris Davis both had great plays to keep the damage minimized to 3 runs over Matt's 5 innings.
Ivan Rodriguez caught a Major League Baseball game for the 2,227th time in his career Wednesday. That broke the all time record for the stat. Pudge went 1-for-5 with a single. Ron Washington decided to put as much history into the game as possible by starting Omar Vizquel at shortstop. Vizquel needed one hit to tie Luis Aparicio for most hits by a Venezuelan native in Major League Baseball. Vizquel singles in the bottom of the 5th to tie Aparicio. He wouldn't break the record in the 7th, and with Andruw Jones pinch hitting his chance was passed up in the ninth.
What with it being Pudge's big day, some Rangers thought it a good time to prove themselves in front of the former face of the team. With a leadoff double in the first inning Ian Kinsler pulled off a daring move against the 13 time gold glover. He stole third and ran home off a rare throwing error by Pudge. Kinsler would go on to steal another base off him later in the game. Vizquel would also steal a base proving he hasn't slowed any with his age. Jarrod Saltalamacchia would also be tested behind the plate by Michael Bourn. Salty would be able to catch him once of twice. Salty would also homer in the game.
The leadoff hitters for Texas and Houston had big factors in Wednesday's game. Kinsler and Bourn both got on base twice and were able to score for their team early due to very aggresive baserunning. They both set up their teams with the bunt, both for sacrifice and for hits. The two played the game you want to see from your leadoff hitter.
And finally here's what you've all been waiting for, the conclusion of Wednesday night's epic game. The Rangers were leading 4-3 in the top of the 8th when the Arlington born and raised Hunter Pence homered for the Astros. The former Ranger fan's solo shot would tie up the game at 4. Marlon Byrd lead off the 9th inning with a double setting up the bottom of the order for a walk-off win. Chris Davis would fly out to shallow center and Salty and Andruw both struck out swinging. After 2 quick outs in the top of the 10th vintage Wild Thang refused to let Houston go quietly, as Pence doubled for Pudge. C.J. would fall behind 3-1 but battle back and strike him out on a curve ball low. Texas would load up the bases with nobody out for Nelson Cruz. Cruz would fly out to Michael Bourn shallow enough to hold Kinsler at 3rd. The next batter was Houston native, former Astros fan, and all around opposite of Hunter Pence. Murphy would slap a hit to left field to score Kins and walk-off in the 10th to win it for Texas.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Intro Blog
Ok I'm gettin' this blog started. If you wanna know about me look at the bio I'm pretty sure I filled it out. So The Texas Rangers (my team) just swept the Seattle Mariners (Big Brothers team) in a 2 game series putting us only 0.5 games out of first place behind them. It was a very well played series, compliments go out to Erik Bedard holding Texas to 1 run through 7, Russell Branyan for two great extra basehits in the series, and Franklin Gutierrez who played some great outfield defense cutting off hits, and getting some of his own.
Right now most things are going great. Kinsler appears to be regaining the stroke he had the first 3 weeks of the season, Elvis is flourishing since he's moved to the 2 spot in the lineup, Michael has some new found pop in his classic opposite field swing, Cruz is finding his power again, Millwood still isn't slowing down, he just needs to keep the ball down to righties, Padilla has has 2 good starts in a row, we haven't made a call to the bullpen before the seventh inning in a week, Salty is proving his eye problems are behind him, Byrd is staying hot, Jones couldn't have worked out better thus far, Benson is ready to comeback and pitch long relief, and Murphy is finally starting to get hits.
Some things that aren't looking as well include Chris Davis's intent to swing at any pitch below his nose and above his ankles, he needs to take the low throws unless he is sure they're fastballs and he needs to develop a straighter swing. I feel he is striking out because his swing is much to vertical, the same with Hamilton they both have great strength they can stroke a ball deep without an uppercut swing especially in Rangers Ballpark, I hope Rudy is telling them that. Even if they can't, I prefer a contact doubles hitter (vintage Michael Young), to a strikeout homerun hitter anyday (what Michael Young is becoming). An uppercut swing also covers less of the strikezone with the bat than a straight swing, thats why they strikeout so much. This may also be why Taylor Teagarden has struggled early on.
Tonight were going to Oakland, hopefully to redeem themselves for screwing up their last game with the Athletics in Texas. We were down by 2 going into the 8th and with 2 on when Kinsler knocked a flyball over the wall but into the glove of one Ryan Sweeney for the innings 3rd out. In the ninth still down by 2 Michael Young is called out trying to stretch a double into a triple. The next batter Andruw Jones homered. He would've been the tying run. Instead we lost the game by one run. Now though we will be in a pitchers park in Oakland with a pitching staff thats improving not diminishing over the first month of the season.
Pitching Matchup: Scott Feldman (TEX) vs. Dan Giese (OAK)
Assessment: Making his third start in a row taking the place of Kris Benson, Feldman has earned the spot permanently. His first two starts have gone well, inducing many ground balls, and no homeruns in 10.2 innings vs. 3 homeruns in 6.2 bullpen inning.
Spot starting for the struggling Dana Eveland, Dan Giese is making his 4th career start 1st of the year. In 3 starts for the Yankees in 2008 Giese was 0-2 but averaged over 3 strikeouts every 4 innings and had an ERA under 4. This season at the collesium in only relief Giese has an ERA just over 2 in 4 innings, an opponents batting average of .294, and only 2 strikeouts.
Last thing...
If the Season ended after April
1 All-Stars
AL
2B Ian Kinsler TEX
CF Adam Jones BAL
3B Evan Longoria TB
1B Kevin Youkilis BOS
LF Jason Bay BOS
C Victor Martinez CLE
RF Nick Markakis BAL
SS Jason Bartlett TB
P Zack Grienke KC
C Jorge Posada NYY
C Kurt Suzuki OAK
1B Miguel Cabrera DET
1B Carlos Pena TB
2B Aaron Hill TOR
2B Robinson Cano NYY
3B Brandon Inge DET
3B Mike Lowell BOS
SS Derek Jeter NYY
SS Marco Scutaro TOR
OF Torii Hunter LAA
OF Nelson Cruz TEX
OF Nick Swisher NYY
P Armando Galarraga DET
P Roy Halladay TOR
P Felix Hernandez SEA
P Mark Buehrle CWS
P Jarrod Washburn SEA
P Joe Nathan MIN
P Mariano Rivera NYY
P Brad Ziegler OAK
P Joakim Soria KC
P Jonathan Papelbon BOS
P Frank Francisco TEX
NL
SS Hanley Ramirez FLA
2B Chase Utley PHI
LF Ryan Braun MIL
1B Albert Pujols STL
CF Raul Ibanez PHI
3B Aramis Ramirez CHC
RF Andre Ethier LAD
C Yadier Molina STL
P Chad Billingsley LAD
C Bengie Molina SF
C Jeff Baker FLA
1B Adrian Gonzalez SD
1B Joey Votto CIN
2B Orlando Hudson LAD
2B Freddy Sanchez PIT
3B Ryan Zimmerman WAS
SS Yunel Escobar ATL
SS Jose Reyes NYM
OF Ryan Ludwick STL
OF Carlos Beltran NYM
OF Adam Dunn WAS
OF Alfonso Soriano CHC
P Kyle Lohse STL
P Dan Haren ARI
P Johan Santana NYM
P Josh Johnson FLA
P Wandy Rodriguez HOU
P Jason Grilli COL
P Matt Capps PIT
P Francisco Cordero CIN
P Jonathan Broxton LAD
P Ryan Franklin STL
P Heath Bell SD
2 Awards
MVP
AL
Aaron Hill TOR
NL
Albert Pujols STL
Cy Young
AL
Zack Grienke KC
NL
Johan Santana NYM
Rookie
AL
Elvis Andrus TEX
NL
Jordan Schafer ATL
Relief Man
AL
Frank Francisco TEX
NL
Heath Bell SD
3 Playoffs
Detroit loses ALDS@ Boston
Toronto wins ALCS@ Boston
Toronto wins ALDS@ Seattle
Florida wins WS @ Toronto
Florida wins NLDS@ Saint Louis
Florida wins NLCS@ Los Angeles
Pittsburgh loses NLDS@ Los Angeles
4 Homerun Derby
Adrian Gonzalez SD W
Albert Pujols STL L 2nd
Raul Ibanez PHI L 1st
Alfonso Soriano CHC L 1st
Carlos Pena TB L Final
Torii Hunter LAA L 2nd
Carlos Quentin CWS L 1st
Ian Kinsler TEX L 1st
comment please
Right now most things are going great. Kinsler appears to be regaining the stroke he had the first 3 weeks of the season, Elvis is flourishing since he's moved to the 2 spot in the lineup, Michael has some new found pop in his classic opposite field swing, Cruz is finding his power again, Millwood still isn't slowing down, he just needs to keep the ball down to righties, Padilla has has 2 good starts in a row, we haven't made a call to the bullpen before the seventh inning in a week, Salty is proving his eye problems are behind him, Byrd is staying hot, Jones couldn't have worked out better thus far, Benson is ready to comeback and pitch long relief, and Murphy is finally starting to get hits.
Some things that aren't looking as well include Chris Davis's intent to swing at any pitch below his nose and above his ankles, he needs to take the low throws unless he is sure they're fastballs and he needs to develop a straighter swing. I feel he is striking out because his swing is much to vertical, the same with Hamilton they both have great strength they can stroke a ball deep without an uppercut swing especially in Rangers Ballpark, I hope Rudy is telling them that. Even if they can't, I prefer a contact doubles hitter (vintage Michael Young), to a strikeout homerun hitter anyday (what Michael Young is becoming). An uppercut swing also covers less of the strikezone with the bat than a straight swing, thats why they strikeout so much. This may also be why Taylor Teagarden has struggled early on.
Tonight were going to Oakland, hopefully to redeem themselves for screwing up their last game with the Athletics in Texas. We were down by 2 going into the 8th and with 2 on when Kinsler knocked a flyball over the wall but into the glove of one Ryan Sweeney for the innings 3rd out. In the ninth still down by 2 Michael Young is called out trying to stretch a double into a triple. The next batter Andruw Jones homered. He would've been the tying run. Instead we lost the game by one run. Now though we will be in a pitchers park in Oakland with a pitching staff thats improving not diminishing over the first month of the season.
Pitching Matchup: Scott Feldman (TEX) vs. Dan Giese (OAK)
Assessment: Making his third start in a row taking the place of Kris Benson, Feldman has earned the spot permanently. His first two starts have gone well, inducing many ground balls, and no homeruns in 10.2 innings vs. 3 homeruns in 6.2 bullpen inning.
Spot starting for the struggling Dana Eveland, Dan Giese is making his 4th career start 1st of the year. In 3 starts for the Yankees in 2008 Giese was 0-2 but averaged over 3 strikeouts every 4 innings and had an ERA under 4. This season at the collesium in only relief Giese has an ERA just over 2 in 4 innings, an opponents batting average of .294, and only 2 strikeouts.
Last thing...
If the Season ended after April
1 All-Stars
AL
2B Ian Kinsler TEX
CF Adam Jones BAL
3B Evan Longoria TB
1B Kevin Youkilis BOS
LF Jason Bay BOS
C Victor Martinez CLE
RF Nick Markakis BAL
SS Jason Bartlett TB
P Zack Grienke KC
C Jorge Posada NYY
C Kurt Suzuki OAK
1B Miguel Cabrera DET
1B Carlos Pena TB
2B Aaron Hill TOR
2B Robinson Cano NYY
3B Brandon Inge DET
3B Mike Lowell BOS
SS Derek Jeter NYY
SS Marco Scutaro TOR
OF Torii Hunter LAA
OF Nelson Cruz TEX
OF Nick Swisher NYY
P Armando Galarraga DET
P Roy Halladay TOR
P Felix Hernandez SEA
P Mark Buehrle CWS
P Jarrod Washburn SEA
P Joe Nathan MIN
P Mariano Rivera NYY
P Brad Ziegler OAK
P Joakim Soria KC
P Jonathan Papelbon BOS
P Frank Francisco TEX
NL
SS Hanley Ramirez FLA
2B Chase Utley PHI
LF Ryan Braun MIL
1B Albert Pujols STL
CF Raul Ibanez PHI
3B Aramis Ramirez CHC
RF Andre Ethier LAD
C Yadier Molina STL
P Chad Billingsley LAD
C Bengie Molina SF
C Jeff Baker FLA
1B Adrian Gonzalez SD
1B Joey Votto CIN
2B Orlando Hudson LAD
2B Freddy Sanchez PIT
3B Ryan Zimmerman WAS
SS Yunel Escobar ATL
SS Jose Reyes NYM
OF Ryan Ludwick STL
OF Carlos Beltran NYM
OF Adam Dunn WAS
OF Alfonso Soriano CHC
P Kyle Lohse STL
P Dan Haren ARI
P Johan Santana NYM
P Josh Johnson FLA
P Wandy Rodriguez HOU
P Jason Grilli COL
P Matt Capps PIT
P Francisco Cordero CIN
P Jonathan Broxton LAD
P Ryan Franklin STL
P Heath Bell SD
2 Awards
MVP
AL
Aaron Hill TOR
NL
Albert Pujols STL
Cy Young
AL
Zack Grienke KC
NL
Johan Santana NYM
Rookie
AL
Elvis Andrus TEX
NL
Jordan Schafer ATL
Relief Man
AL
Frank Francisco TEX
NL
Heath Bell SD
3 Playoffs
Detroit loses ALDS@ Boston
Toronto wins ALCS@ Boston
Toronto wins ALDS@ Seattle
Florida wins WS @ Toronto
Florida wins NLDS@ Saint Louis
Florida wins NLCS@ Los Angeles
Pittsburgh loses NLDS@ Los Angeles
4 Homerun Derby
Adrian Gonzalez SD W
Albert Pujols STL L 2nd
Raul Ibanez PHI L 1st
Alfonso Soriano CHC L 1st
Carlos Pena TB L Final
Torii Hunter LAA L 2nd
Carlos Quentin CWS L 1st
Ian Kinsler TEX L 1st
comment please
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