FPTR
*****Official Texas Rangers World Series Title Defense Thread***** [Staff Warning]
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Last: 3 mo ago by Grapesoda2525
I agree with all this. The reality is that Houston is a bad matchup for us on the field and they have been that way for the last 6-8 years. Funny thing is, I despised Jeff banister, but banister knew how to push around the Astros.DallasAg 94 said:
I think there are some surprise teams. The Cubs and Tigers, for sure. In part, I'm just being greedy.
Consider the Astros are 4-3 against Texas and 2-10 against the Field. They came to play against us. I also think they are more the 2-10 team than the 4-3 team. They have some serious questions. It was why I was excited they got Hader. They blew $19M and what CBT room they had on a guy who only has value if you are ahead. And he has shown to not even have that. They need lots of help but have zero flexibility. If Blanco gets figured out, they'll turn out the lights.
I think Seattle was mostly touted because of their SP and it has largely disappointed. They did very little to improve the team in the off-season.
Wash has the Angels believing they can win. Mainly on the backs of Trout and Taylor Ward. They'll peeter out.
Glad we only have 6 games left total with them. I don't like watching Altuve and Yordan hit against us.
fc2112 said:
FPTR
Kind of nice to be struggling somewhat and dealing with injury issues and yet still leading the pack in the AL West (barely... but barely counts).
Just a reminder:
RIP Whitey Herzog. Before my first MLB broadcast in 1979 I asked Whitey for one piece of baseball wisdom I need to remember. He said, “Nothing makes a manager look dumber than a bad bullpen.” And I’ve never forgotten it. Thanks Whitey.
— Eric Nadel (@nadeler) April 16, 2024
FYI: several of the beats were hinting last night that today's game may be a little iffy. There is rain in the forecast.
Bullpens are definitely a year-to-year proposition. That's why paying big money for a reliever usually doesn't make sense unless it's one of the rare guys that is lock down year after year. Think Mariano Rivera. And now with guys blowing out their elbows left and right, I'm not sure any exist. Hader has not been one of those.
If Leiter does well on Thurs, will it be a changing of the narrative that Texas can't grow our own SP?!
Players:
Cole Winn (24): 1.15 Draft pick 2018
Jacob Latz (28): 5th Rd 2017
Jose Leclerc (30): Int'l 2010-2011?
Leiter (24): 1.2 2021 (Vandy) - He'll be 24 on April 21st.
Leody Taveras (25): Int'l 2016?!
Davis Wendzel (27): 1.41 2019 (Baylor)
Evan Carter (21): 2nd Rd 2020
Wyatt Langford (22): 1.4 2023 (Florida)
IL
Jon Hernandez (27): Int'l 2013?
Josh Jung (26): 1.8 2019 (Tech)
Cody Bradford (26): 6th Rd 2019 (Baylor)
Foscue (25): 1.14 2020 (Miss St)
Still a long ways to go, but promising that we could be seeing a change.
Players:
Cole Winn (24): 1.15 Draft pick 2018
Jacob Latz (28): 5th Rd 2017
Jose Leclerc (30): Int'l 2010-2011?
Leiter (24): 1.2 2021 (Vandy) - He'll be 24 on April 21st.
Leody Taveras (25): Int'l 2016?!
Davis Wendzel (27): 1.41 2019 (Baylor)
Evan Carter (21): 2nd Rd 2020
Wyatt Langford (22): 1.4 2023 (Florida)
IL
Jon Hernandez (27): Int'l 2013?
Josh Jung (26): 1.8 2019 (Tech)
Cody Bradford (26): 6th Rd 2019 (Baylor)
Foscue (25): 1.14 2020 (Miss St)
Still a long ways to go, but promising that we could be seeing a change.
You are right, the RP continues to be the achilles heel of this team. They are the main culprit for the slow start, but I will continue to stress that we need to hit the ball harder. Our team SLG is .392, which is good for 13th in the league and not all that bad, but I think we need and have the guys to be in the top 10. Additionally, and one of the biggest issues at the moment, is that we are bottom 3 in the league for barrel%.DallasAg 94 said:
Sure, we're missing Lowe and Jung and getting them back will be a huge bonus.
I think they said last night that Lowe would be joining the club today. Maybe I heard wrong.
But, our SP is 4th in MLB with a 3.33 ERA avg 5.1 IP/GS. Our O is hitting 6th in BA with .261. Our RP is 23rd with an 4.96 ERA. .500 in Save Opps. 2 out of 4. Still early for the RP.
Our IP by RP is middle of the pack, so we aren't over using them. That will pay off, for sure.
I've said this... I think our team has been slow out of the gate in large part by design because Bochy knows how to bring a team back after a deep playoff run. But even without Lowe and Jung we have the horses. It is mental, IMO, and I think part of the process. We're missing games by just one or two plays here or there. We need to clean that up.
Some have mentioned sloppy play. We're just not executing the way we should... and we will.
We're 2-2 in 1Run games. 0-2 in 2Run games.
I will also say that we are dead middle of the league in wOBAcon (weighted on-base average on contact), and put simply, it's how much damage a batter does when actually making contact. So we need louder contact.
I think we will be fine. There's too much talent in the lineup, but certain aspects of our lineup have also been a big reason for the slow start.
I agree.
I think we're about to see some pop. I think Detroit needs to be more small ball, but after that, I think we'll go 2-1 against the Braves.
Returning from injury
Seager was slow coming out of ST having missed everything.
Lowe should return this week?
Youthful growth
Carter is a doubles and OBP machine. With some SBs he should be sitting on 2B 40+% of the time.
Langford will be a WIP. I think the power will come but he needs to stay disciplined.
This lineup is going to be fun to watch once it clicks.
And we're going to get everyone's best shot. That's what happens to WS Champs.
I think we're about to see some pop. I think Detroit needs to be more small ball, but after that, I think we'll go 2-1 against the Braves.
Returning from injury
Seager was slow coming out of ST having missed everything.
Lowe should return this week?
Youthful growth
Carter is a doubles and OBP machine. With some SBs he should be sitting on 2B 40+% of the time.
Langford will be a WIP. I think the power will come but he needs to stay disciplined.
This lineup is going to be fun to watch once it clicks.
And we're going to get everyone's best shot. That's what happens to WS Champs.
This is Bochy tweaking the lineup.gigem1223 said:
Bochy just said he's going to tweak the lineup during the post game
Rangers lineup for April 17, 2024 at Detroit. pic.twitter.com/VkLAafumFQ
— Texas Rangers PR (@TXRangersPR) April 17, 2024
Maybe he meant he was going to tweak it during the post game, but not actually during a real game.
Carter and Langford are both still super young, and although both have a really good handle on the strike zone, both still have plenty of work to do at the plate. Carter has got to, got to, got to add weight and start really hitting breaking balls. There's no reason Carter can't be 6'2" 205. There's no reason Carter can't be at minimum a 20/20 guy with a super high OBP
Langford on the other hand just needs more at-bats, imo. He needs to adjust to seeing MLB level stuff day-in and day-out. He'll get there.
Langford on the other hand just needs more at-bats, imo. He needs to adjust to seeing MLB level stuff day-in and day-out. He'll get there.
Hoping for a dominant and very quick game. We have Champions League in just 2 hours.
Someone scheduled an important Zoom for the next 90mins. 
So, I may not be able to post "much".
Gotta pay that STH money.
So, I may not be able to post "much".
Gotta pay that STH money.
Cmon Adolis
Bases jucied - no outs
LEts go
Bases jucied - no outs
LEts go
I was going to say that I liked having Langford in front of Garcia for some protection, but they still pitched around Langford, even with two men on base.
Man this team just can't get that big hit to break a game open. Great job of working counts and getting on base but damn they struggle past that.
Would've been nice to get more than 1 there.
Had to turn my video off. SMDH!
Lead off W?! Really Dunning?!
Lead off W?! Really Dunning?!
If a guy is on first, I almost expect Dunning to get a ground ball double play.
11PC.
Ok... video back on.
Ok... video back on.
He's playing chess. Less pitches
Nice 6-4-3
So... kinda Walk the 1st guy and then get a DP?! That's a good strategy, I suppose. Reduce your potential hitters by 50%.shack009 said:
If a guy is on first, I almost expect Dunning to get a ground ball double play.
I'm going to hold my breath for so long every time one of our guys is HBP right now...
Wendzel....
shack009 said:
Wendzel....
Leody…
Double Talkin' Jive...
I want to be frustrated with Wendzel but then I remember he's our 5th choice at third base.
Dunning...Fuzzy Dunlop said:shack009 said:
Wendzel....
Leody…
Carpenter has major ******-face.
Man **** this ballpark. Why does it have to be so ****ing huge
8 PC T3 for Detroit.
Skubal has 39 PC through 3.0 IP.
PC: 22-9-8
We'll have a 3pitch by the 8th.
Skubal has 39 PC through 3.0 IP.
PC: 22-9-8
We'll have a 3pitch by the 8th.
Just keep this in mind, tomorrow when Leiter is pitching.Mr Gigem said:
Man **** this ballpark. Why does it have to be so ****ing huge
Ag Since 83 said:
I want to be frustrated with Wendzel but then I remember he's our 5th choice at third base.
Off the top of my head, he has been in the system a while, kind of getting that time where he either establishes himself or he takes off as a minor league free agent and bounces around looking for an opportunity. Maybe he has another year before he has to be added to the 40.
2019 out of Baylor (with Bradford). I think there was a story about the 2, like the Rangers were looking at one and stumbled on the other?!KT 90 said:Ag Since 83 said:
I want to be frustrated with Wendzel but then I remember he's our 5th choice at third base.
Off the top of my head, he has been in the system a while, kind of getting that time where he either establishes himself or he takes off as a minor league free agent and bounces around looking for an opportunity. Maybe he has another year before he has to be added to the 40.
I think by 5th choice he meant: Jung, Smith, Duran, Foscue, Wendzel is how the season has landed on him.
Offense is in a slump for sure
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