Things You Should Never Do!

After attending at least 30 Ranger games this year, Blair and I were discussing yesterday that we should make a list of things you should never do at a Ranger game.

• Never do the wave..........no matter how hot, how boring, or how ignorant you are
• Never wear a glove if you're over 9 years old
• If you fail and wear a glove, please never cower behind the glove while your girlfriend takes a foul ball off the side of the face
• Never "deke" the guy behind you by pretending that you're going to catch the hotshot headed your way.........only to move at the last second
• Never bring Eddie in a game that matters
• Never say "how could anyone be worse than Chris Davis" ie see Hank Blalock
• Never expect Wash to play the game by the "book"
  
• Never wear a tank top if you weigh in over 300lbs
• Never expect Wash to have an actual plan or role for his bullpen
• Never think you're gonna see Blalock walk
• Never look for Kinsler to hit to the opposite field..........unless of course he's just late
• Never think that MY is not the best player on the field.........period! (Unless we play the Cardinals)
• Never regret bringing Elvis up to plas SS and moving MY over
• Never order cotton candy if you're over 9 (see glove admonition above)
• Never lose a home series to Minnesota, San Diego, or Oakland (oops 0-3 there)
  

OK, I know there are plenty more, but those come to mind right now. Enjoy the pennant race...........and put that glove and tank top back in the closet

What would Jones have to do?

After watching another pathetic offensive performance by the Rangers, I thought to myself: "What would Andruw Jones have to do to be moved out of the cleanup spot?"

Since April, Jones is hitting .204:
In May, he hit .245...
In June, he hit .170...
In July, he is hitting .195...

During that time, he has produced a .285 OBP. Chris Davis' .202 average and .256 OBP not only resulted in him getting moved down in the order, it led to his demotion to AAA. For Andruw Jones, similar numbers have resulted in solidifying his role ast the starting DH and cleanup hitter!

Seriously, what would Jones have to do to lose playing time or to be dropped in the order? Hit .100? .075?

Similarly, Kinsler has been really bad since April (despite his 2-HR game last night). This year against RH pitchers, Kinsler has produced the very gross line of .216/.298/.400 (.698 OPS). Since right-handed pitchers start about two-thirds of all Major League games, Washington continues to handcuff the team by inserting a leadoff hitter who simply can't hit righties.

Could Kinsler turn it around? Sure. But for almost three months, he has been really bad against righties. When a right-handed pitcher is on the mound, Murphy needs to move into the leadoff spot. He has been very good against righties all season (plus, this sets up a L-R-L lineup combo).

Obviously, Jones and Kinsler are not the only problems within this offense, but when the lineup consistently underachieves, why keep doing the same thing?

Against a right-handed starter:

1. Murphy (consistently producing against righties...including .380 OBP since April)
2. Young (ideal #2 hitter)
3. Hamilton
4. Cruz (.948 OPS vs RH pitchers)
5. Blalock (.908 OPS vs RH pitchers)
6. Kinsler (horrible against RH pitchers: .698 OPS)
7. Byrd/Jones
8. Salty
9. Andrus

Against a left-handed starter:

1. Andrus (.398 OBP vs. LH pitchers)
2. Young
3. Hamilton
4. Kinsler (1.114 OPS vs. LH pitchers can't be wasted on the leadoff spot)
5. Cruz
6. Byrd
7. Salty
8. Blalock/Murphy (both are hitting below .200 vs. LH pitchers)
9. Jones

Makes a lot of sense, but I'm sure that Jones will continue to hit cleanup because, "Hey, he is Andruw Jones and he was good four years ago."