Series Thread: Opening week is here! Rangers host defending AL Champs Cleveland Indians

[romeo212000]

I agree 100% with the sentiment you guys are expressing. So, what's the immediate solution, and how could this effect us down the road?

As a side bar, would anyone have had a problem if DeShields had been "aggressive" on 2nd last night? Not saying just give him a green light, but what about a hit-and-run?

This isn't hind sight, I was wondering last night about this and primarily b/c of the 2 guys (Gallo & Odor) who are primed for easy outs due to their swing/miss mode coming up.

Really disappointed in the lack of contact in that scenario. With three left handed hitters up there's no reason one of them shouldn't have pulled the ball to get him on third base.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Heavens....will wonders never cease? A pertinent comment.

But, if DeShields is leading off everyday, then he's starting in LF everyday. So what happens to Rua and Profar?

It sucks, but I think profar should be in some kind of "super" utility role. He could play back up first base, second base, SS, 3B, OF. Just about anything. The rooster would have to get creative to put him in the lineup hopefully 4-5 times a week, but maybe it could work with profars versatility.

As for Rua, I'd give him a chance to see if his spring effort was "for real". I don't value spring performances at the plate too much because a lot of those hits came off guys who are now sacking groceries. Deshields is more intriguing because of his perfect record stealing close to 15 bases in the spring. If his defense has improved, I think he could handle LF everyday, but he also has to prove his good spring at the plate was "for real". I just think Deshields has more upside and what he brings to the table ( speed) is more of what this team needs. They should have enough power hitting already.

 

[donaldson79]

Deshields is more intriguing because of his perfect record stealing close to 15 bases in the spring.

Whoa! You're quoting spring training stats for a reason to keep a man on the 25 man roster? Really?

 

[romeo212000]

Whoa! You're quoting spring training stats for a reason to keep a man on the 25 man roster? Really?

lol that's quite the point you just made.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Whoa! You're quoting spring training stats for a reason to keep a man on the 25 man roster? Really?

I made sure to differentiate. If you read my post, I think spring training hitting stats are not to be taken seriously. However, I think stolen bases are more of a legitimate stat. The base running instincts and speed can be easily carried over into the regular season. The only change is that you might be running against a better catcher more often. It's not a major change tho because there are only several high end catchers in the game and one of them is on the Rangers ( hopefully for the next 5 years or so)

 

[Duane1952]

Good 1st for Cole.

 

[DT LUNA]

Good 1st for Cole.

Sure was . Now to support with some runs

 

[Duane1952]

That was terrible DDJ.

 

[DT LUNA]

DDJ k's on 3 pitches

 

[Duane1952]

A Maz Missle.

 

[DT LUNA]

WOW. What a shot Maz

 

[jta4437]

Per the DDJ/Profar/Rua situation

I think they're waiting on on them to establish themselves in the opportunities given when it actually counts (you get what you), and then keep the combo of hitting the best/most versatile


It's not ideal but now's the time to sort it out, ideally Profar would've covered 3B while Beltre was out allowing regular ABs for Rua and DDJ (that's the part that confuses me)

But maybe they just really like what they saw in Gallo, but in any scenario I see him being the one being gone when Beltre returns

 

[DT LUNA]

Cole looking sharp.

 

[jta4437]

Maz with the whiff in LF

 

[DT LUNA]

Maz with the whiff in LF

Yup and costly

 

[Bmurph]

Already 5 more k's, they've been up there hacking this series

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

Man, the future of Odor and Mazara in this lineup looks really bright.

EDIT:

 

[Bmurph]

Cole getting hit now

 

[Duane1952]

They're starting to get to Cole.

 

[Bmurph]

first pitch to Diaz looked to be a strike on the tracker, called a ball?