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***Official Texas Rangers 2009 Thread*** (1 Viewer)

pgreenfan said:
Who are the untouchables for the Rangers should they be in contention at the trade deadline? Feliz, Smoak, Holland? The one thing that makes me nervous about the good start is that it could put them in a position this summer where they think they have to make a move.
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Tap the brakes everyone. Even with this massive run the strangers are only a 1/2 game up on two teams in the division. And one of those two teams has had just about everything imaginable go wrong that could have to it. If Josh comes back and spares everyone to death then this thing officially is in trouble. He HAS to contribute to keep this going.

I'm off Ron for awhile. Still hate the guy.

 
Off-season addition of the year: Mike Maddux in a landslide.

Feldman goes 6.1 only giving up 1 run. This is starting to get insane, in Ranger terms. The bullpen has never seen this much rest.

Love the idea of Holland coming in to relief Feldman every five days. Kinda minor league thinking with "two starters" being prepared to pitch every 5 days, but should be the perfect way for Holland to find his way into the starting rotation IF anyone falters and gives him a chance.

 
Bogart said:
Off-season addition of the year: Mike Maddux in a landslide.Feldman goes 6.1 only giving up 1 run. This is starting to get insane, in Ranger terms. The bullpen has never seen this much rest. Love the idea of Holland coming in to relief Feldman every five days. Kinda minor league thinking with "two starters" being prepared to pitch every 5 days, but should be the perfect way for Holland to find his way into the starting rotation IF anyone falters and gives him a chance.
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Agree in a way about Maddux - very smart guy and knows pitching. In spring training the best thing he did with the pitchers was divide them in groups and then rotate the drills by blowing a whistle and getting everyone to move to the next spot.BUT he needs to be more confident and forceful in his opinions - as I said before the worst thing they did heading out of spring training was taking Feldman OUT of the rotation and putting him in the bullpen when he had clearly made a ton of progress as a SP...............thank God they had the opportunity to put him back in the rotation and hopefully they keep him there.They missed an opportunity a few weeks ago with Mendoza who had been lights out in his AAA starts this year - so they call him up, sit him in the bullpen and he gets no work until he is thrown into a game late when he has clearly proved he doesn't fit as a reliever - they SHOULD have given him a start to see if he brought the improved game up with him....instead they misused him and sent him back down more confused than everMcCarthy will need to step up his game to keep Holland out of the rotation. IF/when that happens I would look for Feliz to be brought up and used out of the bullpen in the same way Holland has been used (assuming he can stop walking batters - almost one per inning so far this year).
 
Captain Hook said:
Bogart said:
Off-season addition of the year: Mike Maddux in a landslide.Feldman goes 6.1 only giving up 1 run. This is starting to get insane, in Ranger terms. The bullpen has never seen this much rest. Love the idea of Holland coming in to relief Feldman every five days. Kinda minor league thinking with "two starters" being prepared to pitch every 5 days, but should be the perfect way for Holland to find his way into the starting rotation IF anyone falters and gives him a chance.
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Agree in a way about Maddux - very smart guy and knows pitching. In spring training the best thing he did with the pitchers was divide them in groups and then rotate the drills by blowing a whistle and getting everyone to move to the next spot.BUT he needs to be more confident and forceful in his opinions - as I said before the worst thing they did heading out of spring training was taking Feldman OUT of the rotation and putting him in the bullpen when he had clearly made a ton of progress as a SP...............thank God they had the opportunity to put him back in the rotation and hopefully they keep him there.They missed an opportunity a few weeks ago with Mendoza who had been lights out in his AAA starts this year - so they call him up, sit him in the bullpen and he gets no work until he is thrown into a game late when he has clearly proved he doesn't fit as a reliever - they SHOULD have given him a start to see if he brought the improved game up with him....instead they misused him and sent him back down more confused than everMcCarthy will need to step up his game to keep Holland out of the rotation. IF/when that happens I would look for Feliz to be brought up and used out of the bullpen in the same way Holland has been used (assuming he can stop walking batters - almost one per inning so far this year).
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Maybe Nolan deserves as much credit about the rotation as Maddux. Either way they need to keep moving forward. I agree both about Mendoza and Feldman. Luckily they fixed the Feldman error in time, and lucky for them, noone really noticed the Mendoza gaffe with everyone else pitching well. I do hope he gets his chance soon. Ranger pitching logjam?? Never thought I would see it.I hope they stay patient with Feliz. His start so far has been lower than expectations, but the ace stuff is still there.FYI - Frank Francisco has tendinitis and will not pitch in the Seattle series. Possible DL trip coming. I'm guessing that Wilson and O'Day will get their shots to close in his absence.
 
So much to like about last night's game. Great comeback, of course. Hamilton looks to be getting on track. You have to feel that the Seattle bullpen is more fatigued going into today's game.

A sweep today going into the weekend series against LA with Millwood/Padilla/Feldman sure would feel good.

 
The seattle bullpen certainly has a fork sticking out of it's back. Felix might be able to keep them off the field though. He's a 200 IP kind of guy, but we certainly worked him in early March. shot his era up a whole point in that one.

I need to get out there at some point.

 
culdeus said:
I need to get out there at some point.
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:shrug: I'm thinking that one of those 25 buck all you can eat seats on a Friday night seems about right. I could easliy do 30-40 bucks worth of damage just in dogs and nachos.
 
Seattle SWEEP!! Crush Davis with a walk-off 2-run bomb.

I was all prepared to find the silver lining in a 2-0 loss. Harrison going 9 again, etc, etc... and then Blalock, Murphy and Davis do their thing in the ninth!!!

I have an order for a Ranger Kool-Aid IV kit ready to go.

 
Agreed that it was a great comeback Win

Better for me was the confidence Wash and Maddux showed in Harrison which should really help him going forward............AND helped the bullpen today :shrug:

 
Captain Hook said:
Agreed that it was a great comeback WinBetter for me was the confidence Wash and Maddux showed in Harrison which should really help him going forward............AND helped the bullpen today :lmao:
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Not sure, but it looked like he got out of the 8th in 6 pitches and the 9th with 7 pitches. That is just not good baseball on Seattle's part. 102 total pitches for 9 innings is nice.Now you get the "front" of the rotation plus a rested bullpen for LAA.Bring it!!!!
 
I just don't know what to say anymore. It was bottom 8th and I turned off the radio to work figuring game over. Wanted to check mlb for story about how harrison did or something and we freaking won another one.

How much longer can they stay under the radar?

I mean this thing won with two walkoffs and CJ wilson being prominently involved.

wow.

 
Bogart said:
culdeus said:
I need to get out there at some point.
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:football: I'm thinking that one of those 25 buck all you can eat seats on a Friday night seems about right. I could easliy do 30-40 bucks worth of damage just in dogs and nachos.
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I'm taking my son to the temple tomorrow night. Sitting in the bleachers. We'll stick around for the fireworks if he doesn't crash before then.BTW if you really want to get your money's worth on the "all you can eat" deal, hit up the double header on the 29th.
 
I think it's way too early to say I'm sold on this team, but it's absolutely the most fun I've had watching baseball in a long time. This is good stuff.

 
IF you didn't see the GREAT catch by Hamilton today try and find it - hopefully they put a clip up on the Rangers site.

NOW we just have to hope he didn't hurt himself again...........BUT tremendous effort.

Another great outing by Feldman..............I hope someone has apologized to him by now for moving him out of the rotation before the season began..........

7 wins in a row....not sure I remember the last time the Rangers did that...........did you see Nolan Ryan clapping at the end of the game = Classic

 
Captain Hook said:
IF you didn't see the GREAT catch by Hamilton today try and find it - hopefully they put a clip up on the Rangers site.NOW we just have to hope he didn't hurt himself again...........BUT tremendous effort.Another great outing by Feldman..............I hope someone has apologized to him by now for moving him out of the rotation before the season began..........7 wins in a row....not sure I remember the last time the Rangers did that...........did you see Nolan Ryan clapping at the end of the game = Classic
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Caught it on MLB.TV. Amazing catch. I really hope he's okay.
 
Millwood: The Quest for 180

Kevin Millwood's valient effort to accumulate 180 total innings and win the prize of a $12m contract next year.

Progress:

Number of Starts: 8

Number of Total Innings: 58.1

Average Innings per Start: 7.1

4-3, 2.93 ERA, 1.131 WHIP, 32 K

Number of Innings Left: 121.2

Number of Possible Starts Remaining*: 26

Average Number of Innings Needed per Remaining Starts: 4.679

*Based on 34 starts per Year - his average as a Ranger

Another workman like effort from Millwood over the weekend. It might not even have the best stuff or results on the rotation at this point, but is still the leader going out and pitching 6+ innings every time out.

 
Looking at the standings this morning is insane.

2nd best record in the AL

Largest division lead in the AL

3rd(tie) best record in MLB

2nd largest division lead in MLB

I really wanted to finish the LAA series up by 2.5, would have been satisfied with 0.5. No way I thought we would be up by 4.5 this morning. Still VERY early in the season, but you have the feeling that OAK may already be looking for the off-season and SEA could be close behind. I know it will be a dogfight with LA all season, but you have to feel good with how the first round went this weekend.

Setting up a Ranger Kool-Aid stand in my front yard as we speak.

 
culdeus said:
Next few road trips are going to be real tough. Well, with the exception of Houston.
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Detroit and Boston are going to be very telling as to where this team is in the big picture. Just looking at the pitching matchups, they could take 2 of 3 at Detroit. The entire pitching staff will be well rested with the way the homestead went plus the day off today.
 
culdeus said:
Next few road trips are going to be real tough. Well, with the exception of Houston.
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2001 Texas 3-3 2002 Houston 4-2 2003 Houston 4-2 2004 Texas 3-3 2005 Texas 4-2 2006 Houston 4-2 2007 Texas 4-2 2008 Texas 3-3 All Time Houston 25-23
 
cosjobs said:
culdeus said:
Next few road trips are going to be real tough. Well, with the exception of Houston.
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2001 Texas 3-3 2002 Houston 4-2 2003 Houston 4-2 2004 Texas 3-3 2005 Texas 4-2 2006 Houston 4-2 2007 Texas 4-2 2008 Texas 3-3 All Time Houston 25-23
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That's great and all, but the NL is god awful this year and Houston can't get above .500. Of the next 5 road series that's the one that has to be penciled in as a win above any other.
 
culdeus said:
Just my gut says we rake willis and then drop the next two.
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I think we beat Willis something like 10-7, lose the next one and then take the third and the series. Them not having Mags will hurt them.
 
Good story on Millwood from mlb.com

by T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com

05/18/09 2:00 AM ET

ARLINGTON -- If the definition of a No. 1 starter is a pitcher with overpowering stuff who can dominate the opposition for nine innings and finish with double-digit strikeouts, then Kevin Millwood is probably not that guy.

If a No. 1 starter is a pitcher who takes a leadership role on his team, leads by example in adopting the franchise's new pitching philosophy, sets the tone for the pitching staff from Day One and delivers quality innings in one start after another, then Millwood has been just that for the Rangers in their surprising ascent into first place in the American League West.

From his Opening Day start to being the winning pitcher in the first of three straight victories over the Angels this past weekend, Millwood has been the undisputed leader of a pitching staff that has a 4.54 ERA for the season -- almost one run better than last year -- and a 3.45 ERA in winning 17 of the past 22 games.

"He has been the bellcow," Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux said. "He's taken the bull by the horns. He's pulling guys along with him. He's not pushing them, he's pulling guys. He's the consummate professional in his preparation, dedication, work ethic and execution of game plan."

Pitching has been the No. 1 reason why the Rangers have won seven straight and go into their three-game series against the Tigers on Tuesday at Comerica Park with a 4 1/2-game lead in the AL West. The Rangers entered this season as a franchise on a mission to get better pitching. Club president Nolan Ryan issued the edict at the end of last season and Maddux was hired in November to direct the program.

What the Rangers really needed though was their No. 1 starter to embrace the new program that includes a greater emphasis on conditioning, working quickly in games, establishing the low fastball, pounding the strike zone and have starters pitch deeper in the game.

Millwood did just that on Opening Day against the Indians when he allowed one run on five hits in seven innings. He walked one batter and threw 113 pitches in a resounding 9-1 victory.

"Somebody has to lead the way and he did that on Opening Day," Maddux said. "He said, 'Let's go deep in the game right away.' It sets a precedent of: 'That's what we're supposed to do.'"

Millwood is now 4-3 with a 2.93 ERA after seven starts and the rest of the rotation has fallen in line right behind him. Vicente Padilla is 2-0 with a 1.57 ERA in his last three starts. Matt Harrison is 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in his last four starts and Scott Feldman is 2-0 with a 2.17 ERA in five starts since joining the rotation.

"I think he gives a lot of inspiration to the position players and the confidence they can win any game he's pitching," Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said. "But talking to some of the players over there, the biggest thing is the impact he's having on some of the younger pitchers like [Derek] Holland and Harrison and those type of guys.

"He's a role model for those guys. It's one thing to be one of those leaders in the clubhouse, but you have to back it up on the mound and he's backing it up this year."

Millwood came into the season needing 180 innings to guarantee the fifth year of his five-year, $60 million contract. There was much talk about that in Spring Training but that has died down. Now the talk is about the leadership he has brought to a first-place pitching staff.

"I think in some ways I'm a leader," Millwood said. "I'm not very vocal though. I try to lead by example. I just try to go about my business the right way, but if something needs to be said, I'll definitely say it."

He learned from the best himself. Millwood was originally drafted by the Braves and was with them from 1997-2002. That allowed him to serve as an acolyte at the altar of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz. The Braves traded him away after the 2002 season and probably miss him.

"Millwood was really the last what you would consider a power arm to come through this organization in a long time," Braves third baseman Chipper Jones said. "We haven't developed one in a really long time. I just remember he was really unflappable. He had the right mentality every time he went out to the mound."

What Millwood did better than anybody here with the Rangers over the winter is embrace the new pitching program implemented by Ryan and Maddux. He did that willingly by knowing and witnessing firsthand the Rangers' pitching problems over the past several years.

He showed up in camp in tremendous shape and never missed a beat during the seven-week long Spring Training. His first start on Opening Day provided immediate reinforcement.

"I like the fact that somebody said something and let it be known what would be done," Millwood said. "There was no gray area. It made life easier knowing what we needed to do and what's expected of us. I think the emphasis on conditioning has been a big factor for the pitching. Guys have been able to stay in games longer and still have a lot left late in the game."

Millwood also shows other pitchers how to win with stuff that -- on his best days -- is no more than slightly above average. He throws a fastball 90-91 miles per hour with a curve, slider and changeup. None are considered plus pitches by themselves.

"He's got more velocity than he shows," Maddux said. "He saves his A-plus fastball for when he needs it. Pitching is about commanding the baseball and changing speeds and that's what he does. He has the ability to throw a combination of pitches that play off each other. He understands the cause and effect of each pitch." Curiously, whether at absolute best or even when he has to battle without his best stiff, he can still illicit similar responses from opposing hitters.

He dominated the Tigers in his second start -- pitching seven scoreless innings -- and Detroit's Brandon Inge said, "He was getting ahead early. He was coming at you. And when I say getting ahead, I'm not saying just dump a fastball down the middle. He was throwing his curveball for a strike, his slider for a strike ... changeup. Everything he threw first pitch was for a strike. But you didn't know what it was."

In his last start against the Angels on Friday, he allowed two runs on nine hits in six innings and Torii Hunter said, "He was ahead of everybody, 0-1. He was in and out, throwing strikes on the corners. He wasn't throwing as hard as he used to but he was getting ahead in the count and putting the ball in good spots. He was pitching."

That's what the Rangers have for a No. 1 starter and right now he has been good enough to put them in first place in the AL West. The question is what happens if this continues all year from Millwood and his pitching mates.

"We win," Millwood said. "The bottom line is if we pitch good all year, we're going to win."

Spoken like a true leader.

T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

 
Bogart said:
culdeus said:
Just my gut says we rake willis and then drop the next two.
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I think we beat Willis something like 10-7, lose the next one and then take the third and the series. Them not having Mags will hurt them.
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Mags has been pretty average so far so hopefully he will not be missed too much. The Rangers should kill Willis tonight. Maybe you guys are doing us a favor by putting him out to pasture for us.
 
meeka said:
Bogart said:
culdeus said:
Just my gut says we rake willis and then drop the next two.
Click to expand...
I think we beat Willis something like 10-7, lose the next one and then take the third and the series. Them not having Mags will hurt them.
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Mags has been pretty average so far so hopefully he will not be missed too much. The Rangers should kill Willis tonight. Maybe you guys are doing us a favor by putting him out to pasture for us.
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:( I kid.
 
D-Train pitched well. I doubt that anyone counted on that. Congrats to Det. Now lets see how this team rebounds.

 
Interesting how Detroit is just a house of horrors for Texas.

The Triple Play was nice. At least we have that going for us.

 
The home/road splits on this team are atrocious. Kinsler batting .187 on the road. Whole team puts up 2 less runs a game on the road. That ain't gonna get it done.

 
Padilla lands on the DL with a taint strain.

Derek Holland will start against Houston Friday night!!!!!

And it begins.....

 
Millwood: The Quest for 180

Kevin Millwood's valient effort to accumulate 180 total innings and win the prize of a $12m contract next year.

Progress:

Number of Starts: 9

Number of Total Innings: 66.1

Average Innings per Start: 7.1

4-4, 3.12 ERA, 1.146 WHIP, 35 K

Number of Innings Left: 113.2

Number of Possible Starts Remaining*: 25

Average Number of Innings Needed per Remaining Starts: 4.546

*Based on 34 starts per Year - his average as a Ranger

Millwood pitches all 8 yesterday, taking the loss. At his current rate, he will hit 180 on start 25, and finish with around 250 innings total, his most pitched ever.

 
I am going to bash my head into a brick wall.

I have Cruz and Chris Davis, and have been alternating them in my UTIL spot in a weekly lineup change league.

I have crapped the bed on both.

I swear to God, which ever dude I sit goes off and the guy in my lineup craps the bed.

Yes, Cruz is on my bench this week. Just like Davis was on my bench a couple of weeks ago when he lit it up.

:lmao: :mellow:

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Encyclopedia Brown said:
I am going to bash my head into a brick wall.I have Cruz and Chris Davis, and have been alternating them in my UTIL spot in a weekly lineup change league.I have crapped the bed on both.I swear to God, which ever dude I sit goes off and the guy in my lineup craps the bed.Yes, Cruz is on my bench this week. Just like Davis was on my bench a couple of weeks ago when he lit it up. :) :wall:
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:rolleyes: Thanks for the info - would you please keep Davis benched...........I only have Cruz
 
well I was finally right about something. the astros blow.

I hated the call to hold salty on 3rd for elvii's double. What good does it do to hold him there with mcarthy to bat next?

 
What an interesting situation. The "odd man out" when Padilla comes back off the DL throws a CG shutout.

Holland back to the bullpen? I don't know what to do. The Rangers have never EVER had this situation before. 6 pitchers worthy of starting.

 
culdeus said:
today made it a little clearer what needs to happen. jesus.
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When the Yankee lineup is clicking, it is still insanely scary, as much as I hate to say it.Let's see what happens after the series is done before we all go no funeral.
 
Millwood: The Quest for 180

Kevin Millwood's valient effort to accumulate 180 total innings and win the prize of a $12m contract next year.

Progress:

Number of Starts: 10

Number of Total Innings: 72.0

Average Innings per Start: 7.1

4-4, 3.25 ERA, 1.236 WHIP, 38 K

Number of Innings Left: 108

Number of Possible Starts Remaining*: 24

Average Number of Innings Needed per Remaining Starts: 4.500

*Based on 34 starts per Year - his average as a Ranger

His shortest outing of the year?? Went into the sixth and the Rangers get the win. At the beginning of the season you would have considered this a top effort by Millwood. His numbers continue to come back to Earth from where he started the season, but you still have to be happy with how things are.

 
All this Hicks talk is interesting. I wonder what a new owner + all this young talent will do here.

Cuban?

 
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