Series Thread: Rangers Host the Twins For Four Games August 15-18

[saddles]

From Tepid:

Kumar Rocker's night is likely done here in Frisco. He went on shorter rest this time and was only slightly less dominant. But I saw more offspeed stuff including a few very good CBs. And a good shaped CH. And good SLs. Also, both his FBs were 97-99. He's incredibly good.

 

[saddles]

Perhaps the tide is beginning to turn in a big way for these two. Might not be a matter of the door to the majors opening for them next year - they might just knock the door down.

I am fine with not acquiring any free agents for the rotation next year. We can pick up a couple of swing guys like Martinez and Urena, and 4 or 5 other bullpen pieces.

 

[saddles]

 

[armadillooutlaw]

I am fine with not acquiring any free agents for the rotation next year. We can pick up a couple of swing guys like Martinez and Urena, and 4 or 5 other bullpen pieces.

Same here. We already have a rotation's worth of starters under contract for next year and just need some affordable depth there. And should one or more of these young guys (Leiter, Rocker and Teodo) end up being ready for the majors pretty soon, it would be bad to have them blocked by an expensive free agent signing.

 

[armadillooutlaw]

View attachment 370997

It's pretty funny; we have Leiter and Rocker literally throwing fire and dominating in the minors, while Cody Bradford is in Arlington calmly sifting through one of the best teams in baseball for the Rangers...with his 89-90mph fastball, lol. Five innings of 2 run baseball. Talk about two totally different forms of dominance.

 

[saddles]

It's pretty funny; we have Leiter and Rocker literally throwing fire and dominating in the minors, while Cody Bradford is in Arlington calmly sifting through one of the best teams in baseball for the Rangers...with his 89-90mph fastball, lol. Five innings of 2 run baseball. Talk about two totally different forms of dominance.

I was just thinking of that myself. Imagine facing Bradford one night and then Leiter the next night. Lol

 

[saddles]

Bradford should be able to go one more inning. If he gets them quickly, Bochy might allow him to face a batter or two in the 7th.

 

[armadillooutlaw]

I was just thinking of that myself. Imagine facing Bradford one night and then Leiter the next night. Lol

That would have to be super frustrating, lol. Can't even see Jack's fastball as it blazes right by for strikes, but they can see Cody's coming a mile away...but still can't hit it, lol. I love it.

 

[saddles]

Bradford should be able to go one more inning. If he gets them quickly, Bochy might allow him to face a batter or two in the 7th.

Maybe he can make it through the 6th. Maybe.

 

[armadillooutlaw]

Double play time, Cody. Let's do it.

 

[saddles]

Bochy letting him stay in. That may not be wise.

 

[armadillooutlaw]

That's big-time pitching there. Getting in and then out of a tough one like that. Very...Eovaldi-like. Nice job, Cody.

 

[saddles]

Bochy letting him stay in. That may not be wise.

Wow. Cody escaped it.

Not bad at all against a really good offensive team. Cody gets no breaks. Lol Didn't he debut last year against the Braves? Then he faces the Yankees and Twins right after going back to the rotation.

 

[saddles]

No matter how this game turns out, with the job Bradford, Leiter, and Rocker did tonight, it is better than sweeping a double header. There is a lot to look forward to if these three keep this up. Oh, then there is always Teodo and Rosario to look forward to.

 

[Senator_fan]

That's big-time pitching there. Getting in and then out of a tough one like that. Very...Eovaldi-like. Nice job, Cody.

He’s a smart guy. Keeps his cool too.

 

[armadillooutlaw]

I'll be bold (I may end up looking foolish, but I'll risk it) and say that by the end of next year, Texas' pitching rotation will be comprised of Bradford-Leiter-Rocker-Dunning-Gray/someone else.
deGrom won't last long, health-wise, and I don't think Eovaldi will be back.
I also believe the rotation will be the backbone of the team next year.

 

[armadillooutlaw]

I'd rather have Bradford go back out and pitch right-handed than have LeClerc on the mound at this point.

 

[armadillooutlaw]

I'll be bold (I may end up looking foolish, but I'll risk it) and say that by the end of next year, Texas' pitching rotation will be comprised of Bradford-Leiter-Rocker-Dunning-Gray/someone else.
deGrom won't last long, health-wise, and I don't think Eovaldi will be back.
I also believe the rotation will be the backbone of the team next year.

Ehhh forgot about Mahle.
Make that Bradford-Mahle-Leiter-Rocker-Dunning. Gray can move to the pen in that scenario, health-permitting.

 

[saddles]

From Evan Grant:

Rangers on pace for 74 wins. Fewest wins by defending World Series champ since MLB went to 162 games:

Marlins, 1998: 54
Boston, 2014: 71
Cincinnati, 1991: 74

 

[saddles]

From Jamey Newberg:

The league has a .714 OPS.

Marcus Semien, despite two hits tonight, has a .713 OPS.