Series Thread: Rangers Host the Orioles For Three Games June 30 - July 2

[saddles]

The Rangers enter this series 2.5 games out of the last wild card spot. They trail the Angels who are 2 games out of that same last wild card spot. The Rangers have Cleveland, Boston, Minnesota and KC trialing them by 2 games or less. The wildcard race is really the only race to be concerned with at this point.

As much as this team has struggled offensively, they have no business being buyers. It would take a sharp drop in the wildcard standings to cause them to become sellers, I would think. They are currently in no man's land. Another 4 weeks of games will determine a lot.

Between LAA, Boston, Cleveland, KC, and Minnesota, if 3 of those teams play very well over the next 4 weeks, it could force the Rangers to be sellers. I am not sure how much of a possibility that is though.

The Rangers will send Corbin, deGrom and Eovaldi to the mound in this series.

The Orioles are 7 games out of that last wildcard spot. They need this series, badly. This should be an interesting series.

The pitching matchups favor the Orioles in the first game and the Rangers in the second game. The third game is anyone's guess, but until Eovaldi shows his old form, I think I am going to assume that he still has some rust to shake off. I think the advange goes to the Orioles in that last pitching matchup.

 

[saddles]

The strength of the remaining schedule:

 

[saddles]

I see where Chase Leee is having a nice season so far for the Tigers. We traded him for Andrew Chafin at the deadline last year when we had no business being buyers.

 

[saddles]

Here is what one ESPN mock draft has for the Rangers:

12. Texas Rangers​

Pick: Ike Irish, RF/C, Auburn

Rangers GM Passan: The Rangers need fast-moving bats, and Irish is coming off the best offensive season of any draft-eligible college hitter. Whether he winds up at catcher, right field or first base remains up in the air, but for a Rangers team without a clear long-term solution at any of the three positions, he fits.

 

[Kelleyman]

Here is what one ESPN mock draft has for the Rangers:

12. Texas Rangers​

Pick: Ike Irish, RF/C, Auburn

Rangers GM Passan: The Rangers need fast-moving bats, and Irish is coming off the best offensive season of any draft-eligible college hitter. Whether he winds up at catcher, right field or first base remains up in the air, but for a Rangers team without a clear long-term solution at any of the three positions, he fits.

The catcher position present for or future is not very encouraging at least from a numbers standpoint
Let Hicks go and put a lot in Moore on this slow moving spot
They sign Higgy who is a not contact first guy or upgrade defensively

It was a hedge if Heim did not rebound but it has backfired

 

[saddles]

Baseball America’s latest mock:

12. Rangers — Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma
The Rangers sound like either the floor or something very close to it for JoJo Parker. He’s mentioned here with the Rangers as much as any team, but he also has a few possible landing spots in front of them. Generally, I hear the Rangers connected with bats more than pitchers—names like Ike Irish, Billy Carlson, Steele Hall, Daniel Pierce, Marek Houston, Xavier Neyens or Gavin Kilen could all make sense—but Witherspoon’s impact upside might be too much to pass up if he gets outside of the top 10.

 

[saddles]

From Francys Romero:

The Texas Rangers signed international free agent RHP Masahiro Fukuda (23), with experience in Japan’s independent leagues.

His arsenal includes an 88–92 MPH fastball, a 3000 RPM slider, plus a curve, cutter, and splitter.

Trained by Shima Baseball Academy.

 

[saddles]

It will be another red hat day for the Rangers

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

I keep hearing some say that the stint in the minors fixed Jake Burger. Did it?

His numbers, since his return, are still not anywhere close to what he has done over the last few seasons. He is definitely better than he was earlier this year, but that is not saying much.

 

[saddles]

From Evan Grant:

Evan Carter is attending to non-health related family matter, which is why he is not here

 

[saddles]

From Jared Sandler:

Jake Burger is going to start a rehab assignment tomorrow and, according to Bruce Bochy, Wyatt Langford "is right behind him"

 

[Duane1952]

View attachment 401268

Should be playing Smith instead of Jung.

 

[Kelleyman]

It will be another red hat day for the Rangers

Whoopi

 

[Kelleyman]

From Evan Grant:

Evan Carter is attending to non-health related family matter, which is why he is not here

But not why he is not in the lineup

 

[Kelleyman]

Should be playing Smith instead of Jung.

Jung shkuld be playing

In AAA

 

[saddles]

From Francys Romero:

The Texas Rangers signed international free agent RHP Masahiro Fukuda (23), with experience in Japan’s independent leagues.

His arsenal includes an 88–92 MPH fastball, a 3000 RPM slider, plus a curve, cutter, and splitter.

Trained by Shima Baseball Academy.

From The Prospect Times:

Masagiro Fukuda (0-1, 2.45) appeared in today's game for the DSL Rangers Blue. His line:

— 3.2 IP
— 1 R
— 2 H
— 2 SO
— 2.45 ERA

 

[DTLUNA]

Don't see many runs scored with this lineup. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[saddles]

From Jeff Wilson:

Evan Carter is at his grandfather's funeral. #Rangers expect him back Wednesday. He is not going on the bereavement list, which requires a minimum of three days.

 

[saddles]

From Evan Grant:

Tyler Mahle will not be back until after the trade deadline, Chris Young confirms