The second half of the baseball season begins and, unfortunately, that means the second half of the Rangers season begins
Series Schedule:
Friday, July 18 6:07: RHP R.A. Dickey vs. RHP Yu Darvish
Saturday, July 19 12:07:RHP Marcus Stroman vs. RHP Colby Lewis
Sunday, July 20 12:07: LHP Mark Buehrle vs. RHP Nick Tepesch
I have some good news and I have some bad news. The good news is the long arduous All-Star break is finally over and baseball resumes tonight. They say the day after the All-Star Break is the worst sports day of the year because it is practically the only day of the entire year where there are no sports games. Well, MLB extended the All-Star break to four days so now we have two worst days of the year. Remember, though, that this is the good news. It's all over and baseball is back!
The bad news, however, is the short and pleasant All-Star break is ruefully over and Texas Rangers baseball resumes tonight. Lest we forgot while nothing was happening, the Rangers are the worst team in baseball and are coming out of the break with a season-long eight-game losing streak. I miss the Home Run Derby already.
Here's a breakdown of the pitching match-ups against the contending Canadians:
- Yu Darvish: 8-5, 11.08 K/9, 3.04 BB/9, .323 BABIP, 77.3% LOB, 2.76 FIP, 3.10 xFIP, 3.5 WAR - Last three starts: 10 runs allowed in 19.0 innings
- R.A. Dickey: 7-9, 7.49 K/9, 3.60 BB/9, .270 BABIP, 72.9% LOB, 4.51 FIP, 4.82 xFIP, 1.1 WAR - Last three starts: 4 runs allowed in 21.0 innings
Thoughts: Despite Gerry Fraley shitting on Yu Darvish, Yu Darvish is basically the best thing about the Texas Rangers that isn't Adrian Beltre and I look forward to watching him pitch more than I look forward to mostly anything.
You know R.A. Dickey is scoffing at the whole Brady Aiken mess today.
- Colby Lewis: 6-6, 7.82 K/9, 2.79 BB/9, .410 BABIP, 65.0% LOB, 4.17 FIP, 4.35 xFIP, 1.2 WAR - Last three starts: 15 runs allowed in 14.1 innings
- Marcus Stroman: 4-2, 7.93 K/9, 2.19 BB/9, .310 BABIP, 69.4% LOB, 3.44 FIP, 3.51 xFIP, 1.1 WAR - Last three starts: 7 runs allowed in 17.1 innings
Thoughts: If Marcus Stroman can make it as a starting pitcher out of Duke University, there's hope for future top of the 2015 draft pitching prospect Michael Matuella.
I love Colby Lewis. But Colby Lewis version 2014 is the current No. 2 starter of the Texas Rangers and that really says it all.
- Nick Tepesch: 3-5, 5.59 K/9, 3.36 BB/9, .266 BABIP, 74.5% LOB, 4.97 FIP, 4.63 xFIP, 0.4 WAR - Last three starts: 9 runs allowed in 19.1 innings
- Mark Buehrle: 10-6, 5.20 K/9, 2.28 BB/9, .293 BABIP, 81.1% LOB, 3.72 FIP, 4.30 xFIP, 2.3 WAR - Last three starts: 7 runs allowed in 19.0 innings
Thoughts: When Mark Buehrle was a kid in grade school and was asked to draw what he wanted to be when he grew up, he drew a picture of himself as a pitcher giving Texas Rangers hitters fits.
When Nick Tepesch was a kid in grade school and was asked to draw what he wanted to be when he grew up, he drew a picture of himself as a super cool dinosaur!
Toronto Blue Jays (49-47, 2nd Place in AL East)
Rangers' Record vs. Toronto: 1-2 (All at The Ballpark)
Toronto's Recent Results: 1-2 road series loss against Tampa Bay
Toronto's Home Record: 25-21
Rogers Centre Park Factors (LHB/RHB): HR: 104/117 - Runs: 87/88
SB Nation Blue Jays Blog: Bluebird Banter
| Match-up: (as of 07/18) | Rangers | Blue Jays | Advantage |
| Batting (RAR) | -43.4 (26th) | 20.2 (5th) | Where's Coors Field when you need it? |
| Base Running (RAR) | 3.9 (4th) | -1.7 (22nd) | The benefits of losing Prince Fielder |
| Starters (RAR) | 45.3 | 41.3 | Surprise surprise |
| Bullpen (RAR) | 28.2 (7th) | 13.4 (15th) | We'll pretend the bullpen is still good when everyone has been traded |
| Defense (UZR) | -14.4 (24th) | -9.6 (21st) | Maybe the Blue Jays shouldn't play on concrete |
| Overall (UZR + RAR) | 19.6 | 63.6 | The Rangers win on exchange rate |
Questions to Answer:
- What is your favorite 2014 first half memory?
- Who is your Return of the McLemore Approved Player to Watch in this series? (Roogie is apparently now going to be wearing #12 instead of #73 on his jersey which is kind of like officially becoming a real big leaguer.)
- Over/Under: 4.5 hits by the Rangers' four catchers (Geovany Soto, Robinson Chirinos, Chris Gimenez, and J.P. Arencibia) combined in this series?
- What's your guess for line (IP/H/K/BB/ER) by Colby Lewis on Saturday as he tries to avoid giving up 13 runs again?
- Yea or Nay: The Rangers avoid losing 100 games for the first time since 1973 this season?