Series Thread: The Rangers Host Seattle For Three Games September 22-24

[saddles]

Hopefully, the offense can take some pressure off of the pitching staff during this series.

The Rangers need to find a way to get the brooms out amd sweep the Mariners.

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

Here is one of my questions that Jamey Newberg answered.

Can you see Andrew Heaney as an option for an eighth-inning guy? — Bennie B.

Not ideal, given his walk rate — but on this roster, mixing him in with Chapman and José Leclerc in the last two innings makes some sense given his ability to miss bats. I thought he might have been the guy on Monday when Smith was instead called on in the eighth to protect a one-run lead, but Heaney had thrown 55 pitches three days earlier and Bruce Bochy was probably trying to give him an extra day of rest.

 

[saddles]

Here is one question that Jamey answered about the construction, or lack thereof, of this year's bullpen.

Did GM Chris Young choose not to build a bullpen last winter because he did not expect the team to perform so well this year? — Forrest D.

It’s a question Young will certainly be asked when the Rangers are finished playing 2023 games, but your hypothesis is probably unlikely. Young was very clear in the winter that he expected this team to contend. As for what his answer might be, I’m as interested in that as you are. Given the massive investments he (and Jon Daniels) and ownership made in the lineup two years ago and in the rotation this year, it certainly raised eyebrows that they didn’t follow that up with more veteran bullpen pickups — in the winter and in July — especially with the team’s relief pitching a weakness last year.

Texas had blown a historically bad 32 saves in 60 opportunities through Tuesday, including an unbelievable 14 of 17 since Aug. 13. Imagine what the stakes in these final 10 games would be if the bullpen had even been average this year.

Or don’t.

 

[saddles]

He made a nice catch at the wall, too.

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

A great way to finish the season.

 

[saddles]

When Justin Foscue went 2 for 6 last night with a Grand Slam, he was playing 1B. Now, that is very interesting. That was his 8th game playing 1B, and they have all come this year.

 

[saddles]

Kent, Ortiz, Teodo, and Cauley

 

[saddles]

 

[jaar01]

Well, here we go...
Rangers lead Mariners 5-1 in season series so they need 2 more wins against them to secure the tiebreaker.

And while I would normally say it comes down to pitching, I think these 7 games are going to come down to offense for Texas.

Why? Because I expect the SP to be good enough to keep us within reach, and I expect the bullpen to blow any close games, which leaves the real variable: the offense.

Can we score enough runs to mitigate our disastrous bullpen having to save a close game?

Offense is like Jekyll and Hyde so who knows?

I suspect we go 4-6 or 5-5 the rest of the way. And that one game difference probably determines playoffs or no playoffs. Should be interesting!

 

[DT LUNA]

Well, here we go...
Rangers lead Mariners 5-1 in season series so they need 2 more wins against them to secure the tiebreaker.

And while I would normally say it comes down to pitching, I think these 7 games are going to come down to offense for Texas.

Why? Because I expect the SP to be good enough to keep us within reach, and I expect the bullpen to blow any close games, which leaves the real variable: the offense.

Can we score enough runs to mitigate our disastrous bullpen having to save a close game?

Offense is like Jekyll and Hyde so who knows?

I suspect we go 4-6 or 5-5 the rest of the way. And that one game difference probably determines playoffs or no playoffs. Should be interesting!

Have to agree with this post. Offense is the key to the playoff's. A must have!

 

[scotsman1948]

When Justin Foscue went 2 for 6 last night with a Grand Slam, he was playing 1B. Now, that is very interesting. That was his 8th game playing 1B, and they have all come this year.

Can see Langford in LF and Carter in RF with Crim, Foscue & Duran coming off the bench. Still need a 4th OF’er but figure the positional part of the team in 2024 is pretty much set if we re-sign Garver.
Hell they might even consider re-signing Jankowski to provide a stable 4th OF’er

 

[Kelleyman]

If the Rangers were 100% all in this year you have to bring up and play Langford. He is a unicorn

But if you are trying to maximize him and his career and not lose others in rule 5 draft you wait

That being said I wait. Not enough relief to carry us unless we just outslug everyone. Not a great small ball team

 

[saddles]

Can see Langford in LF and Carter in RF with Crim, Foscue & Duran coming off the bench. Still need a 4th OF’er but figure the positional part of the team in 2024 is pretty much set if we re-sign Garver

Newberg thinks Lowe, Duran, Taveras, and Garcia are all guys who could be traded. Not all of them, but some.

 

[saddles]

If the Rangers were 100% all in this year you have to bring up and play Langford. He is a unicorn

But if you are trying to maximize him and his career and not lose others in rule 5 draft you wait

That being said I wait. Not enough relief to carry us unless we just outslug everyone. Not a great small ball team

I think Taveras being hot makes Langford not needed for the next 10 games.

 

[scotsman1948]

Newberg thinks Lowe, Duran, Taveras, and Garcia are all guys who could be traded. Not all of them, but some.

I could see Taveras during the offseason and perhaps Garcia around trade deadline but can’t see them trading Lowe without a viable replacement and Duran is a solid utility player

 

[saddles]

One thing the Rangers might want to do this coming offseason is find a AAA starting pitcher or two, to trade for, who could serve as organizational starting pitcher depth next year. Until Owen White rights his ship, if he ever does, Zak Kent is the only viable AAA SP depth we will have next year.

In the past, they have taken older, washed-up guys and put them in AAA to serve as depth. That hardly ever works out well.

 

[saddles]

I could see Taveras during the offseason and perhaps Garcia around trade deadline but can’t see them trading Lowe without a viable replacement and Duran is a solid utility player

That may be due to Newberg not being very high on Lowe. Lowe seems to be the primary guy that needs to be traded, in Jamey's estimation.

 

[scotsman1948]

One thing the Rangers might want to do this coming offseason is find a AAA starting pitcher or two, to trade for, who could serve as organizational starting pitcher depth next year. Until Owen White rights his ship, if he ever does, Zak Kent is the only viable AAA SP depth we will have next year.

In the past, they have taken older, washed-up guys and put them in AAA to serve as depth. That hardly ever works out well.

Perhaps maybe one