(Image via flickr.com user Rich Anderson.)

My fire Ron Washington website was going to be up soon but with the Indians hiring Terry Francona over the weekend, it looks like that’s going to have to wait a little while.

But regardless many changes are going to be blowing in the Rangers camp this offseason between free agents, trades, released and maybe possible coaching and manager changes. Many players and coaches you may have seen the last of in a Rangers uniform.

“NO SERIOUSLY, RON WASHINGTON WOULD LIKE HIS PANTS BACK, YOU GUYS.” – Jay Jaffe [Sports Illustrated] via Twitter

This has been a terrific run from 2009-2012 for this group. The last four years have been fantastic for Rangers fans. Did fatigue play a part? Did Washington play his regulars too much? Did the front office not give the coaching staff a good enough bench to give the regulars time off? A quick look at what I think fatigue played a huge role:

Let’s look at the core players for example. Here are their games played in 2012 and the games they didn’t play in the final months of the season. Players will tell you they get off days [but only four the last ten weeks] on the schedule and they want to be out there every day and they played in two straight full Octobers. Here’s a look:

» Continue reading “GASSED And Look For A Very Busy Rangers Offseason”

(Photo via Rich Anderson.)

It’s been announced this afternoon that Neftali Feliz is to have Tommy John Surgery and will be out 9-12 months, probably looking at coming back in September of 2013. Feliz was hurt in May and had been recently scratched from his most recent start in Round Rock.

IN OTHER NEWS

- Mike Olt is playing first base at Frisco tonight.  He’s played 12 games there, and it’s a good possiblity he gets called up in September. (And just throwing it out there… Michael Young has been one of the worst players in baseball this season according to fWAR, rated just ahead of Jeff Francoeur. Do with that what you will…)

(Image via lonestarball.com)

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When Neftali Feliz went on the disabled list in mid-May, the Rangers figured they would be okay with Scott Feldman and Alexi Ogando as their 6th and 7th starters if need be. Then Derek Holland caught some weird virus/ fatigue thing a couple of weeks ago, and the team had to dip into their bullpen again and insert Ogando into his slot.

Then in his first start in San Francisco, Ogando trying to beat out a bunt [pitchers shouldn't hit in my opinion, among others who think this are Keith Law and Joe Sheehan] strained his groin and is out 4-6 weeks.

Since then they have also fished Justin Grimm up from AA Frisco, who made his MLB debut with six strong innings and a win last Saturday against the Astros, earning him a second start Monday against Detroit while Feldman goes back to the pen until Holland is ready.

Thankfully before Holland and Ogando got hurt, the team signed Roy Oswalt on May 29th to take Feliz’s spot in the rotation.  After a few minor league starts, the Texas Rangers will start calling on the cavalry Friday night when Oswalt makes his first start for his new club against an old opponent.

» Continue reading “Roy Oswalt But Don’t Expect A White Horse”

(Photo courtesy of flickr.com user Matthew Straubmuller)

According to Dallas Morning News’ Gerry Fraley, the Texas Rangers are close to a deal with RHP Roy Oswalt.  Oswalt is expected to replace Neftali Feliz, who was put on the disabled list on May 21 with a strained elbow ligament.

BGC will have more details as they come out.

I miss you already, Nefty. (Photo via flickr.com/Mike LaChance)

Well, the Rangers had to have a player hit the DL eventually, right?  But did it have to be a starter?

In case you hadn’t heard, the Rangers placed starter/former closer Neftali Feliz on the DL on Monday with a strained elbow ligament.  I’m trying really hard to not have “TOMMY JOHN SURGERY!” scream in my head.  But I’m not freaking out.  Nope.  Not. At. All.

Since it’s looking like Feliz will be out until at least the All Star break *groan*, how should the Rangers prepare?  Their current band-aid is to have Scott Feldman start and called up Yoshi Tateyama to replace him in the ‘pen.  Could work, but it still leaves the bullpen a bit depleted as Feldman was pretty much the sole long relief guy.

A lot of people are throwing around the name Roy Oswalt.  You know, that guy who spent a significant amount of time on the DL last year, is 34 years old, and hasn’t played since last September.  I won’t lie that a healthy Roy Oswalt is great, but is this really the route the Rangers need to go?  Even if they were to sign him today, he’d probably need at least a month to get ready…so he really wouldn’t be an option until almost JULY.

Or they could start to move Ogando back into a starting role, move Feldman back to the pen for long relief.  They’d be losing their 7th inning guy, but could work.

Then, finally, they could trade for a starting pitcher.  Hard to say who is really available this early on, but one of the Feldman/Ogando band-aids may keep them afloat until closer to the trade deadline.

What do y’all think?

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Former Ranger Kevin Millwood <photo courtesy of Alex Calderon>

Former Texas Ranger great Kevin Millwood towed the rubber for the Seattle Mariners, and boy, did the Rangers make him look superstarish…

Really, how does one, Kevin Millwood, stifle one of baseballs best line ups? Hell if I know. Personally, I think I could of hit a ball off Millwood, not sure why none of the Rangers couldn’t. Millwood pitched 6 innings and instead of pounding him for 20 hits and a ton of runs, the Rangers were only able to get 3. Not good.

Okay, I’m done with Millwood. And I’m almost done thinking about this game.

Scott Feldman, substituting for the DL bound Neftali Feliz, didn’t quite make it through 5 innings as the Mariners had some pretty nasty plans for him. He walked Michael Saunders, gave up a blooper to Mike Carp, got Brendan Ryan on a ground out, intentionally walked Dustin Ackley, and BOOM…Alex Liddi slammed a granny off a meatball over the middle of the plate.

With the lead in hand after the 5th, the Mariners went on to polish off the Rangers 5 to 3.

T’s Observations / Game Notes:

• Kevin Millwood? Really? Apparently, Millwood has been good for his past few outings.
• Scotter Feldman retired 9 straight at one point in the game and although he was tagged with the loss, only gave up 3 hits.
• Adrian Beltre homered and doubled.
• The Rangers are 500 over their last 20 games.
• Now I’m done thinking about this game. F.

Upcoming Action: The Rangers are off tomorrow, but will return to action on Friday at the RBiA against the Toronto Blue Jays.

When this happens in the 1st, you don't expect the pitcher to go until the 8th... Maddux is Magic. (Photo via Keith Allison)

Matt Harrison, who has really struggled his last few starts, took the mound against the Mariners.  It seemed, in the 1st, that we were getting that guy again tonight.  Walk. Single. Single. Walk.  And somehow the Mariners only scored 1 run, taking the lead early.  Oh, and Matt was already at 36 pitches.

Thankfully, that version of Matt Harrison didn’t stay long, and Harry cruised through 6 more innings before being replaced in the 8th by Mike Adams who pitched a perfect frame in relief.

» Continue reading “Hamilton Busts Through Wall, Rangers Win 3-1″

(Photo courtesy of flickr.com user mikelachance816)

Another game, another stupid Wash decision.  I don’t like this trend.

Rangers up 4-1 in the bottom of the 9th, so naturally you bring in your closer, right?  What if your closer is coming off of Tommy John surgery and pitched the previous 3 days?  Yeah, maybe I’d look to someone else, Wash.  Thankfully, no damage was done (tonight).

FINAL: Rangers 4, Astros 1

Aside from Wash’s crazy 9th inning antics, here’s what happened:

Today’s starter, Neftali Feliz was definitely not at his best, going only 4 and 2/3 innings, giving up 3 hits, 1 run, WALKING 5, and striking out 6.  Not so good, but got the job done.  Pitching highlight?  Robbie Ross and Koji Uehara pitching 3 and 1/3 innings of scoreless, 1-hit ball.  Woo! Woo! Bullpen!

Those 4 runs were courtesy of an Adrian Beltre sac fly (scoring Ian Kinsler who had doubled), an Nelson Cruz single, a Michael Young double, and a Beltre solo shot.

Overall, not too shabby.  The Astros starter tonight, Wandy Rodriguez, started the game with a 1.99 ERA.  Getting 4 runs off of that is superb.

This weekend the Rangers will make their way south to take on the Houston Astros for the 1st installment of the Lone Star Series.  The Astros, who will be joining the Rangers in the AL West next season, are currently 4th in the NL Central with a record of 16-21, 3-7 in their last 10 games.  The Rangers took home the Silver Boot last year, going 4-2 against the Astros, and hope to do the same this year.

Friday we’ll see Neftali Feliz (3-1, 3.32 ERA) take the mound against Wandy Rodriguez (3-3, 1.99 ERA).  Saturday we’ll get Derek Holland (3-2, 3.78 ERA) battle Lucas Harrell (2-3, 4.40 ERA).  The series finale on Sunday will feature Colby Lewis (3-3, 3.63 ERA) and Jordan Lyles (0-0, 3.00 ERA).  This will be Lyles’ 3rd start since being called up from AAA on Tuesday.

Some Astros players to watch:

• Brett Myers has taken over the closer duties for the Astros and has been excelling in the role.  He currently has 9 saves in 10 opportunities.
• 1st baseman Carlos Lee has been on a tear lately, hitting 10-17 in the past 4 games.
• For the ladies (and some gents), I’m told outfielder Travis Buck is pretty easy on the eyes.  You know because that’s important.
• 2nd baseman Jose Altuve leads the team with a .309 BA, however he’s hit a cold spell going only 9-44 in his last 10 games.
• LHP Wandy Rodriguez, Friday’s starter, has been stellar all season with a 1.99 ERA.

For more on the Astros, check out Tales From the Juicebox.

So I think the Rangers liked the pink bats…

Tonight’s match-up saw Neftali Feliz (not to be confused with PEDRO Feliz) on the mound against Jered Weaver.  Feliz pitched a solid 6 innings, allowing 4 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks and striking out 5.  Weaver did not fare as well, allowing 8 runs over 3 1/3 innings.  Ouch.

But enough about pitching.  Per usual, tonight’s game featured the Rangers offense.  And A LOT of it (SPOILER: Every starter had a hit except David Murphy).

The Rangers got on the board early with a sac fly by Beltre in the 1st.  After losing their lead on a 2-run bomb by Trumbo in the 2nd, the Rangers bounced back in a big way in the 3rd.

» Continue reading “Texas Rangers: Of Pink Bats And Boomsticks”