Some of the crowd shots are amazing. It looks like there are no more than 5,000 people at this game.

There ya go, Mitch.

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Some of the crowd shots are amazing. It looks like there are no more than 5,000 people at this game.

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Just texted a few buddies to see how many and what all ballparks they have been to.

A lot of agreement that the Oakland stadium and atmosphere is bottom of the barrel.

I think that a lot of the regional fans just swamp to whatever team is doing better at the time between the Giants and A's, similar to the Clippers/Lakers relationship.

IIRC Scheppers has had the injury-prone label since we drafted him. He started tearing it up in the minors as a reliever after he was drafted then was switched to starter and went downhill. Then he had success in the majors as a reliever and we let him try out starting again. I suppose it was worth a try if he projected as possibly a higher end starter but hasn't worked out well. Of course at the time we were having success with young guys getting an initial shot as a reliever then becoming starters (Ogando, CJ, Holland). Hasn't worked as well with the really hard throwers (Nefty and Scheppers) or Ross. Been interesting to follow it all.

Why go in w/off speed there?

Bullpen arms are so erratic. I saw an article a few years ago in which it examined when relief pitchers were dealt at the trade deadline and in almost every case, the performance declined for the new team. I really hope they don't give up an asset for a "proven" bullpen piece. I think we have enough options in house to get this issue figured out.

Just heard the fans from Major League in my head on that Holland HR gift.

"No way, to high... to high" /ball hits bleachers

That ball was a foot outside.......

I just don't get Holland. I'm nervous this game is about to be a struggle.

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Some of the crowd shots are amazing. It looks like there are no more than 5,000 people at this game.

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Just texted a few buddies to see how many and what all ballparks they have been to.

A lot of agreement that the Oakland stadium and atmosphere is bottom of the barrel.

I think that a lot of the regional fans just swamp to whatever team is doing better at the time between the Giants and A's, similar to the Clippers/Lakers relationship.

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The fans that go to Oakland games have a lot of fun, at least in my experience of going to a few games there. Its probably bottom of the barrel, but the sterile environment in Tampa rivals it at times, I think.

My understanding from natives, including a really close friend of mine from San Jose, is its not necessarily a migration between good teams, but that there is a strong divide in fandoms depending on what side of the bay/highway you're on.

More folks live in traditional Giants territory. The east bay has never really supported Oakland in force. They've had some good teams, but they still have some struggles. The Giants have had bad teams, but still pretty good attendance.

And Oakland's ballpark sure doesn't help, either. Especially compared to the wonderful setting the Giants have.

Looks like we have Dutch Bag tonight

See if Holland's changed... usually gives up a HR and mentally breaks down. Double play getm out of this...

Khris Davis can make this a short evening for all of us

Mitch taking advantage of their ridiculous ballpark.

Long AB for Profar

12 pitch walk

Is it just me, or do we throw inside a ton more than we used to?

Dear A.J. Griffin,

I hope all is well in the minor leagues and your shoulder is getting back to form. We could really use you in the rotation. Could you please kindly return to form immediately and take Holland's spot?

Formally yours,

A concerned Rangers fan.

Roger Pavlik esque outing by Holland.

I'm done with Holland. Dude needs to go to the bullpen or be traded.

He kind of reminds me of CJ Wilson. I think bullpen would work

Well at least we didn't get swept.

.292 BAA in RR for Nick.

Holland looks like my 6 year old after I tell him he can't play on my ipad

Why does Derek look like he's pouting?

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Holland looks like my 6 year old after I tell him he can't play on my ipad

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Not a good luck. I think his days are numbered as a part of the rotation.

Just what we didn't need... another 3.2 IP from our starter.

Good thing we have Nick Martinez called up. However, he was supposed to be used in 3 days.

We still have 7 more games before our rest day.

Ugh.

I'm guessing Holland is out when AJ and Darvish return.

Martinez and Ramos both have an opportunity, here.

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Why does Derek look like he's pouting?

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He looks like a guy pissed off that he just had another horrible outing.

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Why does Derek look like he's pouting?

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Because he didn't get to stay in and walk home a few runs...he mouthed "bull Sh * t" or something similar when he was walking off the mound...he wanted to stay in the game and give up his own runs. Done with Holland.

Well... Atleast the M's lost

Well no ground lost tonight. M's lose on a walkoff walk

Well, the mariners just lost on a walk off walk. So this game does not matter, division lead holds. Let's make sure we don't use any crucial bullpen guys

I bet Mazara could pitch with that arm of his. Just saying....

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He kind of reminds me of CJ Wilson. I think bullpen would work

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I see this.

C.J. .... What a guy. What is he up to now?

On a lighter side...

Last month you were likely pitching for your HS or college team. Last week you were drafted, this week you sign your contract and Friday it is showtime.

The Rangers' short-season team - Spokane - opens Friday. 2015 draft pick Michael Matuella will open for them.

Here is their roster.

Lots (12?) of 2016 picks and then some from 2015, 2014, etc.

I've enjoyed following them over the years. I've mentioned I started to follow them when Martin Perez pitched there.

Looking forward to Matuella pitching. He had TJ about 13-14 months ago and I think this will be his first real action.
22, Estimated for a 2018 arrival.

His scouting report:

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

A candidate for the first pick in the 2015 Draft, Matuella saw that dream end when he had Tommy John surgery that April. Though he dropped to the third round, the Rangers paid him $2 million, the equivalent of first-round money. They hope to get him back on the mound in June and have him work 100 innings in his first pro season.

When he was healthy at Duke, Matuella looked like a No. 1 starter. He sat at 93-97 mph with running life on his fastball and had a pair of swing-and-miss breaking balls in his curveball and slider. He also showed feel for a changeup and found the strike zone with ease.

Matuella's 6-foot-6 frame creates angle and plane on his pitches that makes them more difficult to hit. He has No. 1 starter upside but has a long way to go to prove he can hold up physically after working just 145 2/3 innings (including summer ball) in three years of college. In addition to his elbow reconstruction, he also has spondylolysis, a manageable defect of the vertebrae in the lower back.

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If he recovers from TJ... he'll be a fun watch through the minors.