Are they tanking? Are they streaking? Whatever happens will be at the Grill for 4 against HOU 9/13-16

[True Rangers Fan]

@Ephland that tip you gave me about Adolis getting #30 tonight 2nd AB was hog wash.

HBP doesn't count as an AB. Next time.

 

[DTC]

Scott Lucas has and he said he once thought that way himself, but has since changed his mind based on Hans' performance during this season.

If the eye test isn't the right test, then the performance test is most definitely a great test. Howard's tests have come back with "Reliever" written in bold red letters across it.

I thought George Lucas was high on Hans?

 

[DT LUNA]

This game is a drag

 

[saddles]

I thought George Lucas was high on Hans?

Not bad.

 

[saddles]

The Nationals lost. They are going to do their best to catch us. We sure could use one of those pitiful streaks where we go without a lead for close to 100 innings.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

I thought George Lucas was high on Hans?

just awful

 

[saddles]

This is a really great game for Alexy's development. He needs to see how much different some of the best lineups are. Although, I would like him to start the next time in the first inning. I have never cared for the opener concept.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

This is a really great game for Alexy's development. He needs to see how much different some of the best lineups are. Although, I would like him to start the next time in the first inning. I have never cared for the opener concept.

Also good for those anointing him as the chosen one

 

[Senator_fan]

Wes Benjamin, Josh Sborz and Dennis Santana have been traded to the Hoboken Zephyrs for a player not to be named ever.

Daniels could not be reached for comment but Chris Young indicated he wished the trade would have been completed after the season giving the Rangers a better chance to improve their draft choice position down the stretch.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Where was this crap on the road trip? If we're going to tank, tank!

 

[saddles]

Also good for those anointing him as the chosen one

He doesn't need to be the chosen one, just a regular Jedi.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

He doesn't need to be the chosen one, just a regular Jedi.

<angry Chewbacca noises>

 

[Senator_fan]

He's thrown 50 pitches and only gotten 3 outs.

Culberson threw 7 pitches and got 3 outs.

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

From Jeff Wilson:


The Rangers were convinced July 31 that Howard has top-of-the-rotation potential. He wasn’t pitching like that when they got him and two minor-league pitchers for right-handers Kyle Gibson, Ian Kennedy and Hans Crouse.

Howard didn’t pitch like that Monday, allowing six runs in 1 1/3 innings of a 15-1 loss.

“He’s been working on a lot of things,” Woodward said. “There’s just some things he’s got to fix and clean up. The only thing I saw today was a lack of conviction in his throw. They said it was coming out hot in the bullpen.”

Howard was lost without a routine, the by-product of being yo-yo’d between the Phillies’ bullpen and rotation. He couldn’t carry his velocity past a couple innings.
To get him straight and be the ace they think he can be, the Rangers are letting him start and fall into a starter’s routine even though they know they will need a heavy load of relief innings.

That duty fell last week to Jordan Lyles, who isn’t part of the Rangers’ future. It fell Monday to Alexy, despite all he did in his first two starts and what he did this season in the minors (1.66 ERA).

Alexy didn’t pitch nearly as well as he did in two starts. The Astros scored six against him in 3 2/3 innings, though two scored after he left at 84 pitches. Three of the four walks Alexy issued came in his final inning, the sixth.

“It was a good night from the aspect of a lot of learning for me,” Alexy said. “That’s not the result I wanted, but there’s a lot of things I can look at and work on through the next couple weeks.”

It turns out that the Howard-Alexy piggyback is likely a one-time thing. Woodward said that the Rangers are planning to give them their own day to start the rest of the season.

They should have two starts apiece remaining, maybe three. The plan is to stretch out Howard a tad more than just two or three innings. Alexy can’t get the work he needs working behind Howard in that scenario.

What happened Monday wasn’t a big deal, Woodward said. It just feels like there was more to it than a scheduling conflict.

 

[Senator_fan]

The problem with Howard is that he doesn’t believe in himself and they keep throwing him out there like he’s chum on a shark fishing boat.

No stamina? he’s 25 not 45. As Don Drysdale used to say ‘he just needs to get his head screwed on right’.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Lack of conviction, lack of velocity, needs to tweak and work on things... but the Rangers saw "TORP" potential?

 

[Kelleyman]

I thought George Lucas was high on Hans?

He was eventually killed off. Sky walker had top billing but Hans provided excellent relief.

 

[Kelleyman]

Lack of conviction, lack of velocity, needs to tweak and work on things... but the Rangers saw "TORP" potential?

Mental makeup could be a concern

 

[saddles]

Lack of conviction, lack of velocity, needs to tweak and work on things... but the Rangers saw "TORP" potential?

Just when you think their judgment has improved, they pull something like this.