Can someone clue me into why we have the staff warning on our thread? It's from "other" people coming here and trolling right? I've heard and seen nothing about us going on the other thread and starting sh*t.

Yeah, all of those chemicals down in the gulf sure have made them slow in the head.

Bradford is getting the start tonight. I don't understand why we called White up. He's a starter not a relief pitcher. Bradford is used to coming out of the pen now. Feels like we're just putting them both in a spot they may not be comfortable with. Start white and let Bradford come in for relief.

gigem1223 said:

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JWinTX said:

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gigem1223 said:

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Grapesoda2525 said:

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We need to face easier competition. This team stinks so bad right now.

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7-3 in their last 10 against top notch competition says otherwise

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Cleveland ain't top notch, pal

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They were leading the central and as hot as any team in baseball when we played them.

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Agreed. They were 6-3 going into the ASB and came out 0-3 against us.

Cleveland lost their anchor SP in Bieber. They also lost Quantrill.

shack009 said:

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So they asked Burke if he could go out and he said he couldn't pitch another inning after only throwing 9 pitches? That's the implication.

If that's true, what a weird, non-competitive mentality from Burke.

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What isn't in the BoxScore is that he threw on Friday and Sunday. 5 Appearances in the 10 Gs since the ASB.

We also don't know how many times he was up throwing.

He is 2nd on the team in GP with 34 and has 41.0 IP (most for a Rangers Reliever).

Burke has impressed me and has come in several times to put out a fire and he has delivered.

gigem1223 said:

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That's concerning. Burke has been handled with kid gloves all season. What are they not telling us about him?

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Personally, I thought they've brought Burke in when the game was on the line in high leveraged situations. See my comments above about his stats.

Bizarro Jerry said:

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Every game matters. Stop waiting so long to get help. Bullpen should be the highest priority

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If the move is available, I have confidence CY will pull the trigger. He got Chapman WAY before any of us thought we'd get help.

Sellers know urgency and price go up the closer you get to the deadline.

Boch just announced on 105.3 that Rodriguez is going to be an opener today, then go with Bradford and White.

rbtexan said:

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Heard something the other day that I meant to mention on here re: the Rangers (in)ability to develop pitching. Can't remember if it was Jeff Wilson, Michael Tepid, or who exactly said it, but they pointed out that if you take an objective look around baseball, there's about 25-26 teams in the same boat as the Rangers. The Dodgers, Astros, Rays, and a few others have done a good job developing pitching....the other teams, not so much.

This isn't to excuse the Rangers pitiful results with pitching development, it needs to get much much better. But it was enlightening to learn that a lot of teams/fanbases can realistically have the same complaint we do.

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That was me.

https://texags.com/forums/53/topics/3370520/replies/65212224

Quote:

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IMO, the only organizations that really produce SPS are the Dodgers and Cardinals. Cleveland has put together a pretty good run, lately. Yankees had a good run with Stottlemeyer. Braves are up there, as well. Reality is, the NL has always produced better pitching which is likely a product of the AL having a DH.

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MrCoachEricTaylor said:

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Boch just announced on 105.3 that Rodriguez is going to be an opener today, then go with Bradford and White.

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Well that's interesting. Hope it works out

Proposition Joe said:

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I think what we all need now is a refreshing DA94 post where he assures us the rotation really isn't smoke and mirrors.

I kid, I kid.

But what I think the last 4 games have shown to me is that all the talk of Ohtani has been cart before the horse. This isn't a WS caliber team that you trade the farm for a player (Ohtani) to put you over the top.

This is a good team that needs some reinforcements simply to win the division.

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I know we banter... I'm good with it. You focus on the mean and I am always optimistic. I play the role.

I do believe the rotation is not smoke and mirrors.

gigem1223 said:

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MrCoachEricTaylor said:

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Boch just announced on 105.3 that Rodriguez is going to be an opener today, then go with Bradford and White.

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Well that's interesting. Hope it works out

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Terrifyingly interesting…

Gotta have one of next two

Now that I think about it, I'd rather have Rodriguez come in early in a low leverage spot than later in the game. Hopefully he can build off his last outing and give us a couple strong innings.

Some comments...

I'm not panicked about the rotation. It has sucked the past week, or so. Maybe it has been exposed.

Keep in mind, that while the Rangers gave up 10R last night... the Astros gave up 9. And we were without Seager and Garcia.

Lots of high-end SPs have gone down the past month and overall, I'd want to confirm, but scoring in general seems to be up.

I've talked about the issues other teams are having with SP, so it shouldn't surprise anyone that we've had some issues.

I still believe we could use a Top SP, and 1-2 RH RP.

This is baseball. You are going to hit some rough patches. The key is to adjust and not panic.

gigem1223 said:

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Now that I think about it, I'd rather have Rodriguez come in early in a low leverage spot than later in the game. Hopefully he can build off his last outing and give us a couple strong innings.

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Is it really low-leverage when you start the game against their 3 best hitters? I don't know…

Proposition Joe said:

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DallasAg 94 said:

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Proposition Joe said:

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I think what we all need now is a refreshing DA94 post where he assures us the rotation really isn't smoke and mirrors.

I kid, I kid.

But what I think the last 4 games have shown to me is that all the talk of Ohtani has been cart before the horse. This isn't a WS caliber team that you trade the farm for a player (Ohtani) to put you over the top.

This is a good team that needs some reinforcements simply to win the division.

---

I know we banter... I'm good with it. You focus on the mean and I am always optimistic. I play the role.

I do believe the rotation is not smoke and mirrors.

---

It's Eovaldi and a bunch of #4s/#5s. That can maybe win you the division if the offense keeps producing, but it doesn't have a ton of margin for error.

And in a 5-game, 7-game and 7-game series you're running out there a #2 starter and a bunch of coin-flips (at-best, depending on matchup). That makes you a coin-flip chance to "gone fishing" round 1.

We're ahead of where we thought we would be this year so that's not a knock on the franchise, but if we don't land a legitimate #3 starter or better at the deadline, and the Astros make a significant move at the deadline, then we're going to be playing in a 3-game wildcard series.

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The league is filled with 4s and 5s.

Our Top 3 are still #1, 7, and 14 in AL ERA. Two of our 4s and 5as are still pretty good. With 15 teams and 5 SPs... that's 75 SP active. That puts Dunning in the Top 10%.

If anyone makes a significant move... they'll improve their position.

shack009 said:

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gigem1223 said:

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Now that I think about it, I'd rather have Rodriguez come in early in a low leverage spot than later in the game. Hopefully he can build off his last outing and give us a couple strong innings.

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Is it really low-leverage when you start the game against their 3 best hitters? I don't know…

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They have a lot of righty batters. Someone with some time should look and see if Rodriguez has faced any of their projected lineup previously. Or how Rodriguez does against RH batters in general.

He definitely doesn't need to see the lineup a second time. Might work the first time through, or first inning, however long the plan is to leave him in there.

Proposition Joe said:

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DallasAg 94 said:

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Some comments...

I'm not panicked about the rotation. It has sucked the past week, or so. Maybe it has been exposed.

Keep in mind, that while the Rangers gave up 10R last night... the Astros gave up 9. And we were without Seager and Garcia.

Lots of high-end SPs have gone down the past month and overall, I'd want to confirm, but scoring in general seems to be up.

I've talked about the issues other teams are having with SP, so it shouldn't surprise anyone that we've had some issues.

I still believe we could use a Top SP, and 1-2 RH RP.

This is baseball. You are going to hit some rough patches. The key is to adjust and not panic.

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The Astros also pitched their #5 starter vs our #2.

And were without Altuve and Alvarez.

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I would make the argument he could just as easily be considered their #3.

But aren't they all just 4s and 5s?!

Aren't we all just another brick in the wall?

Proposition Joe said:

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DallasAg 94 said:

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Proposition Joe said:

---

DallasAg 94 said:

---

Proposition Joe said:

---

I think what we all need now is a refreshing DA94 post where he assures us the rotation really isn't smoke and mirrors.

I kid, I kid.

But what I think the last 4 games have shown to me is that all the talk of Ohtani has been cart before the horse. This isn't a WS caliber team that you trade the farm for a player (Ohtani) to put you over the top.

This is a good team that needs some reinforcements simply to win the division.

---

I know we banter... I'm good with it. You focus on the mean and I am always optimistic. I play the role.

I do believe the rotation is not smoke and mirrors.

---

It's Eovaldi and a bunch of #4s/#5s. That can maybe win you the division if the offense keeps producing, but it doesn't have a ton of margin for error.

And in a 5-game, 7-game and 7-game series you're running out there a #2 starter and a bunch of coin-flips (at-best, depending on matchup). That makes you a coin-flip chance to "gone fishing" round 1.

We're ahead of where we thought we would be this year so that's not a knock on the franchise, but if we don't land a legitimate #3 starter or better at the deadline, and the Astros make a significant move at the deadline, then we're going to be playing in a 3-game wildcard series.

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The league is filled with 4s and 5s.

Our Top 3 are still #1, 7, and 14 in AL ERA. Two of our 4s and 5as are still pretty good. With 15 teams and 5 SPs... that's 75 SP active. That puts Dunning in the Top 10%.

If anyone makes a significant move... they'll improve their position.

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Our #1 just skipped a start.

Our #2 had a 4.0 ERA in June and a 5.5 ERA in July (with a 4.42 career ERA).

Our #3 had a 3.6 ERA in June and a 4.9 ERA in July (with a 4.11 career ERA).


I don't think anyone is arguing that our staff pitched like one of the best in baseball in April and May.

But it's not April and May anymore, and hasn't been for quite some time.

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I think you are just cherry-picking stats with small sample sizes. I think they'll fall back in line with their mean, which is good news for us.

So looking at tomorrows matchup. Heaney has gone 10 IP, 0 ER in 2 starts vs the Astros this season.

DallasAg 94 said:

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Proposition Joe said:

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DallasAg 94 said:

---

Proposition Joe said:

---

DallasAg 94 said:

---

Proposition Joe said:

---

I think what we all need now is a refreshing DA94 post where he assures us the rotation really isn't smoke and mirrors.

I kid, I kid.

But what I think the last 4 games have shown to me is that all the talk of Ohtani has been cart before the horse. This isn't a WS caliber team that you trade the farm for a player (Ohtani) to put you over the top.

This is a good team that needs some reinforcements simply to win the division.

---

I know we banter... I'm good with it. You focus on the mean and I am always optimistic. I play the role.

I do believe the rotation is not smoke and mirrors.

---

It's Eovaldi and a bunch of #4s/#5s. That can maybe win you the division if the offense keeps producing, but it doesn't have a ton of margin for error.

And in a 5-game, 7-game and 7-game series you're running out there a #2 starter and a bunch of coin-flips (at-best, depending on matchup). That makes you a coin-flip chance to "gone fishing" round 1.

We're ahead of where we thought we would be this year so that's not a knock on the franchise, but if we don't land a legitimate #3 starter or better at the deadline, and the Astros make a significant move at the deadline, then we're going to be playing in a 3-game wildcard series.

---

The league is filled with 4s and 5s.

Our Top 3 are still #1, 7, and 14 in AL ERA. Two of our 4s and 5as are still pretty good. With 15 teams and 5 SPs... that's 75 SP active. That puts Dunning in the Top 10%.

If anyone makes a significant move... they'll improve their position.

---

Our #1 just skipped a start.

Our #2 had a 4.0 ERA in June and a 5.5 ERA in July (with a 4.42 career ERA).

Our #3 had a 3.6 ERA in June and a 4.9 ERA in July (with a 4.11 career ERA).


I don't think anyone is arguing that our staff pitched like one of the best in baseball in April and May.

But it's not April and May anymore, and hasn't been for quite some time.

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I think you are just cherry-picking stats with small sample sizes. I think they'll fall back in line with their mean, which is good news for us.

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Unfortunately if they "fall back in line with their mean" (career numbers), you'll get this the rest of the way:

Gray: 30ER in his next 40IP -- 6.75 ERA the rest of the way out (would put him in line with his career #s)

Dunning: 29ER in his next 40IP -- 6.25 ERA the rest of the way out (would put him in line with his career #s)

gigem1223 said:

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The Rangers are 10-12 against the Orioles, Rays, Astros, Braves and Dodgers. Four of those losses were by one run. Add a few bullpen arms and a SP and this team can absolutely compete for a title.

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Agreed. But I think there's a difference between "can compete for a title" and being one major add away from being a title favorite.

Simply put, we have a 2 game lead in the division. The following players have produced well above what their history has shown them likely to do:

Josh Jung
Jonah Heim
Leody Taveras
Ezequiel Duran
Travis Janikowski
Dane Dunning

(With a few other guys having years that are certainly close to career years, but not complete anomalies).


Now, there's plenty of reason to believe a few of those guys are the real deal... But even half of them producing in the 2H like they did the 1H would be pretty remarkable. 4+? Just a miniscule probability that Texas just happens to hit on that many guys in one year. So regression is inevitable.

Now, all that being said there's still a couple guys on this roster that have room to improve -- Semien and Perez are capable of being better than they have been.

So with a 2 game lead (which based on Vegas odds is likely to be less than that by the time we leave Houston)... The trends would seem to say that we need to add a key piece or two simply to hold onto the division.

But again, hardly a bad place to be in. You'd much rather be 2 games up with the cache to make some good moves for the home stretch than be 4 games back and having to hope your additions all wind up producing just to win a division.


Put us in any 5 or 7 game series and we have a legitimate chance of winning it. But I don't think as currently constructed you could put us in any 5 or 7 game series and say we will be significant favorites. It doesn't matter how great April or May looked, when you slot Jon Gray or Dane Dunning against another team's #2/#3, they aren't going to be big favorites -- reference last night our #2 going against Houston's #4 and we were -112 betting favorites. There's just not going to be any playoff games where you can look towards a Cole Hamels or Cliff Lee on the bump and know you are in really good shape.

Bombi is back!

Speas optioned, Howard recalled

gigem1223 said:

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The goal is to get in the dance (preferably with a bye) and be hot at the right time. I could care less how we get there. So your continued argument about certain players having career years don't mean anything to me. Especially when so many of those player are entering their prime and/or are rookies. It's impossible to judge how good they really are or what their trajectory is the rest of the season. I just find it weird that you continue to preach the same things but fail to realize that most teams that have won World Series had rosters full of players having career years.

The point of my post above was this team does have the talent to compete. Where they're lacking is obviously bullpen and at the top of the rotation. Add a few pieces to this equation at the deadline and I like our chances.

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No one is doubting the team has the talent to compete. Every team that wins their division this year will have the talent to compete. You don't win 90 games without proving you can beat good teams.

But I'll concede the argument, as if obvious cliches and talking-head tripe like "get hot at the right time" are going to trump actual career statistics then it's not a debate worth having. Impossible to know how good a player really will be the rest of the way? Sure. Likelihood that 6 guys with little historical production all continue to rake? Sorry, this isn't the movie Major League.

But yes, we do have the talent to compete. If the playoffs started today I'd say we'd have a chance of winning a series against anyone. But I'd also say we'd have a pretty good chance of going home early.