Blessing in Disguise

The Rangers just lost 2 of 3 at home to the lowly Padres and last night began a 3 game series with the Division leading Angels with a loss. The Rangers have 12 games left before the All Star break including 5 against the Angels (2 at home and 3 on the road) 3 against the hottest team (and maybe most talented) team in the AL, the Tampa Bay Rays, and 4 on the road against the resurrected Mariners. There is a better than good chance that the Rangers come out of this stretch with a 4-8 record. This could, and probably will, end most thoughts that the Rangers will contend for a Division title this year. The Rangers were at least a year ahead of schedule anyway but it's unfortunate because you simply never know when you might be back in a position to contend.

The good news: this should force the Rangers to become sellers at the deadline. Padilla might have damaged his value by giving up 5 straight hits in the 6^th last night (all of them shots including 2 homers) but he might have some value in the marketplace...assuming that Texas would pick up a significant piece of his salary. Texas also has an array of average major-leaguers on the bench that can be had for a bus ticket. Hopefully someone sees value in the left-handed bat of Blalock. Regrettably, that last statement includes his strongest attribute. The fact that he hits (in Ranger vocabulary meaning swings) from the left side of the plate is his biggest attribute. I think even Ranger management finally had seen enough of the all or nothing (most often nothing) swing of Blalock as Triple A call-up Julio Borbon took over DH duties last night.

The Rangers are also rich at the catcher position and there is always value there. Maybe a little overexposure this year has tarnished Teagarden's star somewhat, but just take a look around the league; there aren’t that many serviceable catchers that have the upside that he does. I’m not sure that they can get today what they could have last year, but he should have some worth out there.

I know the knee-jerk Ranger fans are always looking to move CJ (inexplicably after a 315 ft home run…CJ how could you) but this is one player that management should say hands off. He has wicked stuff and has shown he can close games, a rare commodity. He has the makeup and the stuff to be a top line closer anywhere in the league and he is just 29. This is fairly young by bullpen standards.

All things considered, the lack of offense and the swoon in June has been disappointing, but in the end it may serve the Rangers and Ranger fans well. The temptation to sacrifice a prospect or two for another bat or a starting pitcher has to be diminished by the play on the field of late. In reality, this team is more than one and probably two above average major leaguers from catching the Angels. Let’s stand pat and let the kids grow. Just wait till next year...oh yeah I think I’ve said that before.

Texas Rangers Offense: The Ugly Truth

Over the last month, Rangers fans have been subjected to something not familiar to these parts: bad offense. Yes – that’s right – the Texas Rangers are having major offensive issues.

For the month of June, Texas owns the 2nd lowest batting average (.218), the worst on-base percentage (.277) and has scored the 2nd fewest runs in all of baseball. I never thought that I would say this but, the Texas Rangers have no offense.

Many continue to wonder why this is happening. Is this a result of Milton Bradley leaving? Partly. Is this happening because Josh Hamilton is hurt? That’s definitely part of it. But there might be larger factors at play that Texas fans do not want to recognize: maybe this offense just isn’t very good.

Think about it: on any given day, the Rangers’ lineup includes Chris Davis, Elvis Andrus, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, David Murphy and Nelson Cruz. None of those guys have even two full years of major-league experience.

Texas consistently relies on young and inexperienced players to complete more than half of their lineup. What did you expect? Most young players initially struggle upon making it to the big-leagues – Texas just happens to have more young guys than most teams. Remember, 2009 was meant to be a developmental year for the organization. Andrus, Davis, Salty, Teagarden and Cruz were slotted to get extended playing time to help Rangers’ General Manager, Jon Daniels, determine what players will be here for the long-haul.

Before the season, most expected Texas to struggle. Luckily for the metroplex, Texas got off to a hot start and has provided the area with some really exciting baseball through June. Yes, the offense has really struggled recently, but you have to keep things in perspective. It’s not all about this year – it’s about building a core of players that will be here for the next decade. Most young guys don’t step into a major-league lineup and immediately light it up. It generally takes time and we are witnessing that development take place at the major-league level.

Don’t give up on these guys and don’t call for changes. This is a young, promising team that has limitless potential. Like with any young team, there will be bumps along the road – but that doesn’t mean that you decide to go a different direction.

What has happened to Taylor Teagarden?

From my dad last night:

Well last night I saw something I have never seen before...well at least not in baseball. Padilla scored by going 5-hole against Taylor Teagarden. Unfortunately they're on the same team and they weren't playing hockey. Yes, that's right, Taylor missed a fastball right between his legs. At least it wasn't in a crucial situation...that is unless you think that having the bases-loaded constitutes a crucial situation.

Later that inning, on a play at the plate, Teagarden is inexplicably two feet in front of the baseline instead of near homeplate. As usual, Cruz's throw comes in like a heat-seeking missile, but Teagarden is so far in front of the plate that he can't apply the tag. If he just sets up the way any average catcher would, the ball still reaches him in the air and he's in position to make the tag. Once again, at least it wasn't in a crucial situation...that is unless you think keeping the other team from scoring is somehow important to the final outcome.

This kid has gone from being a top-rated prospect to barely being a usable backup. He has been totally over matched all year at the plate (see Chris Davis) and now his defense is so unreliable that I can't remember a time when the Rangers have had such a poor backup behind the plate. I actually felt sorry for Padilla last night - and it takes a lot for that to happen.

Aside from the Teagarden issue, last night Texas implemented another brilliant 9th inning strategy. Marlon Byrd was on first-base and, while the team trailed by 2, he decided to steal second. Though the replay showed that he was thrown out, the umpire called him safe. Despite successfully stealing the bag, this is just another example verifying that this team simply doesn’t understand baseball fundamentals. When you are trailing by 2 in the 9th – and you aren’t even the tying run – you do not risk getting thrown out trying to steal. That’s baseball 101.

At some point, these mental errors are going to cost this team. It’s one thing to play “stupid” baseball when you aren’t a very good team. But when you are in first place and in the middle of a pennant race, a couple stupid mistakes could be the difference between winning the pennant and watching the playoffs from your couch. Hopefully Texas realizes that sooner rather than later.

Washington Hates "The Book"

The Rangers pulled out a thrilling victory last night in 10 innings. The win helped Texas maintain a 2-game lead in the AL West and helped Ron Washington avoid having to answer questions about his insane management strategy in the 9th.

Situation:
In the bottom of the 9th, the Astros brought in their stud closer, Jose Valverde. The right-hander promptly allowed a leadoff double to Marlon Byrd bringing up Chris Davis.

The situation called for a bunt; however, throughout his ML career, Davis had never bunted. He did not bunt in this situation either. Instead, he flew out in a rather hapless at-bat. After a Jarrod Saltalamacchia strikeout, Omar Vizquel walked towards the plate.

Vizquel was hitting .323 on the season and had been 3-8 against Valverde, including being 2 for his last 2. Vizquel had gone 1-3 during the game and had looked pretty locked-in at the plate. It seemed like a good situation for the Rangers but...

Enter Ron Washington.

Instead of letting the scrappy Vizquel face Valverde, Washington summoned for a pinch-hitter. Andruw Jones exited the dugout, took a few practice swings and stepped to the plate.

Wait a minute! Andruw Jones? Really? Washington not only went against "the book," he burned it (and I'm not sure that Washington's "book" isn't just a picture-book to begin with...). Let's take a look at just how stupid the decision was:

Washington removed a hitter that:

created a lefty-righty matchup...
was hitting .323 on the season...
had played the entire game and looked good at the plate (1-3)...

and he replaced him with a hitter that:

created a righty-righty matchup...
was hitting .143 in June...
had not played all night and was coming into the game "cold."

Jones struck out on 3 pitches. Well done Wash, well done.

Here is a quote from my dad after Washington received his extension last week:

Look - sometimes good moves don't work, sometimes dumb moves do, but playing it by “the book" works more times than not...that's how it became "the book!” This team needs Wash to just get out of the way...try not to trip over the bats and balls as we roll them out there.

Washington just looks like he is guessing out there. If you are going to pinch-hit in the 9th, you pinch-hit Andrus for Davis (who is hitting .200) and move the runner over.

Runner at 3rd, one out and numerous ways in which you can score.

Washington is simply an over-manager. He apparently believes that going "by the book" is simply too easy. Too many times in his tenure in Texas, he has made decisions based on a "gut" feeling. Like my dad said, sometimes it works - but most of the time it doesn't. They call it "the book" for a reason: it usually works.

If Texas wants to contend throughout all of 2009, Washington better get his ego in-check. Stop trying to be the genius that constantly goes against the grain. Just play it by the numbers: try to create lefty-righty matchups; stop using Guardado during close games; don't create something that isn't there.

Use the book Ron, use the book.

Where do they go from here?

The Texas Rangers just completed murderer’s row within their schedule. During the last 25 games, Texas played six against the Yankees, three against the Red Sox, four against the Blue Jays, three against the Tigers and three against the Dodgers, the team who currently sports the best record in all of baseball.

Despite 19 of the 25 being against teams with winnings records, Texas managed to hang tough by going 12-13 during that stretch. Though Texas’ division lead has been trimmed to two games, there is good news on the horizon: 8 of their next 11 games will be against teams with sub-.500 records.

The schedule for the next two weeks features three against the Astros, three against the Giants, three versus the Diamondbacks and another three-game set against the Padres. Their combined records are 118-133.

Texas needs to take advantage of the next two weeks because, after their series with San Diego, Texas will face another tough scheduling challenge including three against the Angels, four against the Mariners, three against the Twins and three against the Red Sox.

With Josh Hamilton out for an extended period of time and Frankie Francisco unavailable until Saturday (at the earliest), the Rangers will have to overcome some adversity. But over the next month, Texas will have the opportunity to establish themselves as legitimate contenders or, if things do not go well, they could once again prove that this isn’t their year.

It’s going to be fun to watch and whether they play well or not, it's fun to talk about possible contention in June rather than “wait ‘til next year” discussions.

Lewinisms...

I have decided to begin tracking the "Lewinisms" uttered by Texas Rangers' play-by-play guy, Josh Lewin. First, we need to define a Lewinism:

Lewinism: any statement made during a baseball game that indicates a complete lack of baseball knowledge, leaving the audience temporarily motionless as they attempt to comprehend what was just said.

The "Lewinism" updates will detail numerous items verifying that Josh Lewin actually knows nothing about baseball.

Number One:
Today against the Dodgers, Lewin stated,

"TAG (Tom Grieve), despite all the power that Loney brings to the table - he is a guy that walks almost as much as he strikes out."

You may be asking yourself, "What James Loney is Lewin talking about? The only James Loney that I'm aware of is not a power-hitter and has actually been criticized because of his lack of power."

Confusion is the correct response. Yes, the "powerful" Loney has managed to tally an impressive two homeruns this year in 63 games. Yep, he's on pace for anywhere from 5-6 homeruns this year. He is a very, very "powerful" 1st baseman.

Grieve just responded with, "Well, Loney is more of a Lyle Overbay or Mark Grace-type hitter."

And then came the funniest part of the exchange: Lewin responded with, "Yep."

He doesn't even recognize when someone is attempting to call him out! If Grieve wasn't such a nice guy, he would respond more along these lines: "Actually Josh, you are completely wrong. Loney is not a "power" guy - he is a "contact" guy...a fact that renders your previous comment absolutely meaningless."

Grieve has to call him out at some point. It has to happen...someone tell me that it has to happen.

Number Two:
In the top of the 7th inning of today's game, Brad Ausmus walked to the plate. Lewin casually mentioned that

"...Ausmus is already in the top 10 in terms of games-caught by major-league catchers."

Already?! Ausmas was drafted in 1987! He has played in the MLs for 17 seasons. 17! But he has "already" moved into the top 10 in games-played. That's like going back to the 1500's and saying, "Did you year about that Michelangelo guy? He already finished the Sistine Chapel!"

"Cal Ripken already became the record-holder for consecutive games played." This is fun...you should try it.

Number Three:
This is an email from my dad on Saturday:

In the 3rd inning, Josh wanted TAG to explain exactly what a cutter is: "So it’s like a slider but without the spin?"
Really? Are you kidding me? Without the spin? I would love to see Lewin explain the physics behind that one.

...like a slider without the spin?!" Seriously, I can't make this stuff up! What' next?...

"So the curve is like the fastball except that your arm curls around your head before you throw it, right?

Seriously, which of those two questions is more insane? I have thought about it for a few minutes now and I'm still not sure. I can't believe it...really, I can't. Absolute unintentional greatness!

The Rangers have a day off tomorrow but will take the field again on Tuesday. Needless to say, there will be a "Lewinism" update on Wednesday.

Why Don't You Like Magic?

Why don't you like Magic?

No, I’m not talking about the creepy type of magic that you see a pizza-delivery-guy/magician/clown do at a 4-year-old’s birthday party; I’m talking about the Orlando Magic. There is zero hype around this year’s NBA Finals. Seriously, it has drawn slightly more attention than a Petty Theft concert.

I just don’t know why. The Lakers obviously own a huge following – Lakers’ “fans” come out of the woodwork this time of year. Suddenly your coworker is wearing a Kobe jersey and has “always been a Lakers fan.” Los Angeles has a storied history and Kobe is one of the best players in the league – so I get why they would attract otherwise neutral fans.

But why don’t people like this Orlando team? Dwight Howard is one of the most talented and charismatic players in the game. He entertains during the dunk-contest, he plays hard, he doesn’t get into off-the-court trouble…he is the type of superstar that you want on your team. But for some reason, people don't connect with him and I’m not sure why.

When the Spurs were putting everyone to sleep during their championship runs, I could fully understand and appreciate why no one outside of San Antonio cared. They were simply boring all the way around. Their coach was boring; their superstar was boring; their style of play was boring. Like hockey and soccer – I get why people aren’t interested (ie…it’s really boring).

Orlando is the complete opposite. Porn-Stache - I mean Stan Van Gundy - is a pretty funny coach, whether it’s intentional or not. Dwight Howard has 15-minute conversations with Jack Nicholson before games in LA. Orlando runs up and down the court and shoots a ton of 3’s. They should be the team that neutral fans gravitate to, but I honestly can’t remember a Finals series that has had less appeal for the average sports fan.

Even the Spurs and Ben-Stein-Duncan had more appeal – even if it was people tuning in simply to root against them. Why aren’t the Lakers looked at as villains – and in turn – Orlando as the saviors? Why aren’t people taking an interest in rooting against Kobe? He is an easy guy to dislike.

After thinking about this for a while, I developed an explanation that I call the “Ruined Dream Theory.” Basically, it states that all neutral fans want to see the two best and most interesting teams match up in the championship game. Celtics-Lakers. Cowboys-Steelers. Yankees-Cubs. This year, all fans - in addition to the NBA Commissioner – wanted a Lebron-Kobe finale. During the Orlando-Cleveland series, everyone not living in Orlando was pulling for the fighting Lebrons to pull out a series win leading to the dream match-up in the Finals. Orlando needed to lose for this to happen...so people began to root against them.

In a way, I believe that fans have turned on Orlando because the Magic inadvertently ruined this NBA season. All year, everyone has talked about how great it would be to see King James face off against Kobe - but the dream has been ruined and Orlando is to blame.

Actually, the more I think about it, the more I am beginning to hate Orlando. Kobe vs. James? It doesn’t get better than that…and it was all flushed down the drain by the stupid Orlando Magic.

Based on this newly found theory – please join me in boycotting the remaining Finals’ games. If the viewer-ship remains low, Commissioner David Stern will be forced to, once again, resort to “fixing” the NBA Playoffs…and we will all be better off for it.

Ron Washington Option

After the Texas Rangers picked up Ron Washington’s contract option for 2010, I emailed my dad to see what he thought:

Blair @ 8:23am
Dad – what do you think about Washington coming back next year?

Dad @ 8:34am
OK, let me get this straight...through one-third of the season, Texas is 9 games over .500 after playing one of the weakest schedules in the American League and we feel the need to jump out there and give Ron Washington an extension? Was there some reason to knee jerk this move now? Was there this uncertainty in the clubhouse? Were we afraid we were gonna lose Washington to another team? I venture to say that this young club is 9 games over in spite of Ron Washington, not because of him.

Blair @ 8:43am
So…you liked the move?

Dad @ 8:54am
Look - sometimes good moves don't work, sometimes dumb moves do, but playing it by “the book" works more times than not...that's how it became "the book!” This team needs Wash to just get out of the way...try not to trip over the bats and balls as we roll them out there. Wash has made a litany of bad moves so far this year, but just for brevity sake, let's look at Monday’s game:

6th inning, runners on 1st and 3rd with one out and we've just been given 3 gift runs to draw within 4-3. With Elvis Andrus at the plate, Wash is not content to sit idly by and let the game take care of itself. Instead, the genius of Wash once again raises its ugly head: a SQUEEZE PLAY? Are you kidding me? Elvis Andrus at the plate...22 strike-outs in 163 at-bats...too fast to be doubled-up...and Wash goes with the all-or-nothing squeeze play just to tie?

There are ten ways to score a runner from 3rd with less than 2 outs. Ground out, error, sac fly, etc…Heaven forbid Andrus get the opportunity to get a base-hit where we're in position to go ahead in the game. Not to mention – if he somehow doesn't get the runner home - our leading RBI guy (Kinsler) is on deck. I take my chances 100 times out of 100 on Andrus making contact and/or Kinsler coming through.

Mike Basik (the Ticket) justified the move based on the fact that National League teams “have pitchers do it all the time.” Do you know why pitchers do it all the time? Because they hit .127 and strike-out more times than they don’t. If a batter is hitting .275 - and makes consistent contact – calling for a squeeze play is idiotic. The failed squeeze left Texas down a run and they eventually lost 6-3.

It was a ridiculous decision, but what is even more ridiculous is the fact we just gave this guy an extension. Idiocy!

Blair @ 8:58am
So…you liked the move?

Old School v GenX: Round 1

My dad was at the Rangers’ game on Saturday and sent me a text message regarding Michael Young that spiraled into an in-depth text-message battle:

Dad @ 1:31
Michael Young is the best pure “hitter” in baseball. He hits the ball where it’s pitched, always has good at bats and does what it takes to win the game. He is just awesome to watch.

Blair @ 1:37
He has been good so far this year...but OPS below .785 in 2007 and 2008.

Dad @ 1:45
Very comparable stats to Jeter each year and Young has more productive years to come. Not fair to compare a SS to sluggers by using OPS. Compare them to the role they play.

Blair at 2:11
Jeter has had a significantly better average and much better OBP throughout his career:

Derek Jeter: .316/.386/.458 (.844)
Hanley Ramirez: .309/.381/.528 (.909)
Miguel Tejada: .288/.342/.472 (.814)
Michael Young: .347/.445/.301 (.792)

Dad @ 2:19
OK…so Young is right there with some of the best short-stops in the game. Are you trying to make my case for me?

Blair @ 2:31
Ok old man – let me break it down for you:

Young had a total of 3 years in which he had an OPS above .785…

Jeter has 10 out of 14…
Tejada has 8 out of 12…
Hanley Ramirez has 3 out of 3 (while stealing 50 bases every year)…

He has had 3 above-average offensive years in 9 seasons. A career .300 hitter with a career OBP of .345 means that he simply doesn’t do a very good job of getting on base. I understand that every player isn’t going to hit for a ton of power – but a .345 OBP isn’t very good if you aren’t providing the team with other production (steals, power, etc…)

It’s a lot easier to get 200 hits every year when you aren’t willing to take a walk.

Dad @ 2:53
Wrong. As usual – you aren’t old or wise enough to recognize the flaws in your logic.