Back to .500
That was a nice series against the White Sox. Excellent starting pitching, mostly good relief, timely hitting, and if it weren't for one really bad managerial decision the Rangers would have three wins. This was the kind of series that gets you excited again about the season. Next up, the first-place Seattle Mariners:
- How good is Ian Kinsler? I've said before that I think he is the most exciting Rangers player, and the most important on offense. This year when the Rangers win he is hitting .453. When they lose he is hitting only .208.
- Andruw Jones is looking pretty good too. I know he has seen sporadic playing time, but in that limited action he has an OBP of .500 and a .750 slugging percentage. Plus, what I like the most is that he is the only Ranger with more walks than strikeouts.
- Kudos to Scott Feldman, Brandon McCarthy, and Matt Harrison for great starting pitching this weekend.
- BTW, Darren O'Day was a nice pickup for this ballclub. Kudos Jon Daniels.
- Unfortunately, Eddie Guardado seems to disappoint every time out. The Rangers cannot put up with his performance for too much longer.
- For the record, at AAA Oklahoma City Beau Vaughan has a 1.17 ERA in 15.1 IP, while Warner Madrigal is at 1.80 in 10 IP.
- How much longer before we hear about the Rangers offering either Marlon Byrd or Andruw Jones for some bullpen help?
- The Mariners head into this upcoming series with a 15-10 record. The two pitchers the Rangers face have a combined 6-1 mark. The rest of the Mariners staff is 9-9. Tough pitching matchups the next two nights.
Still though, the last three games against a playoff caliber team is encouraging. But the next week is even more important.
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