Rangers snack on some M's & M's at the Grill: SEA @ TEX 6/3-5

[True Rangers Fan]

The Rangers head into the first weekend of June hosting the Mariners for a 3 game set. Texas comes into the series at 24-26 after a split with the Rays. If the Rangers finish the season at .500, 81-81, that would be a 21 game improvement over last year, which is just incredible. Even more so when you consider that their big acquisitions have not been tearing it up (I think both Seager and Semien are off to career-worst starts, statistically). The Rangers have been closer to 2nd place than 4th place for a few days now. Ultimately, the standings are irrelevant for the Rangers this year (they do not have a postseason-caliber team and aren't close to one), but this season is a barometer for where things are going into 2023, and so far so good.

Pitching wise, the Rangers are in prime position to take this series. Dunning leads off, followed by Otto, and then Mr. Incredible himself, Martin Perez. 7, 3, and 1:30 are your game times.

Hitting wise, we've still got a mixed bag. No one is lighting things up at the moment, but a few guys are slowly getting their stats up. Huff and Smith are getting playing time, so we're starting to see what the future holds.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Also, before the previous thread (Rays) there wasn't a series thread that reached 400 posts. The Rays thread is currently well past 500 posts. Let's keep that momentum. Now that Crawler is home for summer break, it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[DTC]

Is Taylor Hearn becoming the odd man out in the rotation ?

 

[saddles]

Former Ranger great.

 

[Kelleyman]

Have to say that once we sent Howard down our SP has been much improved overall. Hearn has definite room to improve
Funny Howard had a good outing but read where only 2 pitches the FB and SL are effective

Hate to say this but that sound like a relief pitcher to me unless he can develop another pitch

 

[saddles]

Have to say that once we sent Howard down our SP has been much improved overall. Hearn has definite room to improve
Funny Howard had a good outing but read where only 2 pitches the FB and SL are effective

Hate to say this but that sound like a relief pitcher to me unless he can develop another pitch

It scares me that Howard had a good outing and he could easily slide into Hearn's slot because Hearn is due to pitch when I am going to the game in Detroit. I sure hope Winn pitches phenomenally Sunday so that he becomes a possibility. Lol

 

[Kelleyman]

It scares me that Howard had a good outing and he could easily slide into Hearn's slot because Hearn is due to pitch when I am going to the game in Detroit. I sure hope Winn pitches phenomenally Sunday so that he becomes a possibility. Lol

Talk about poetic justice. Lol. Hope you get a SP of choice though
Worst case scenario bullpen game

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Is Taylor Hearn becoming the odd man out in the rotation ?

Honestly, you could make the case he should be out of it already. If this wasn't a "transition" year, he would be.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

I don't think the Rangers are going to bring Howard back up based on a good start in AAA

 

[DT LUNA]

Honestly, you could make the case he should be out of it already. If this wasn't a "transition" year, he would be.

Exactly and at this point he will not see more than a BP piece 2023 if that.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Exactly and at this point he will not see more than a BP piece 2023 if that.

I just don't think his repertoire is built for 6+ innings. Too many 20+ pitch innings.

 

[saddles]

I don't think the Rangers are going to bring Howard back up based on a good start in AAA

With him you just never know. And, he has time for a second one. Let's just say I am really hoping for at least one of three things: Howard to have a bad outing, Hearn to have a good outing, or Winn to have a great outing.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

With him you just never know. And, he has time for a second one. Let's just say I am really hoping for at least one of three things: Howard to have a bad outing, Hearn to have a good outing, or Winn to have a great outing.

I'm going to officially make the call: Howard will not appear in the game you attend in Detroit in any capacity.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

With him you just never know. And, he has time for a second one. Let's just say I am really hoping for at least one of three things: Howard to have a bad outing, Hearn to have a good outing, or Winn to have a great outing.

also, when is that game?

 

[saddles]

I'm going to officially make the call: Howard will not appear in the game you attend in Detroit in any capacity.

Okay, I am counting on you.

 

[saddles]

also, when is that game?

Two weeks from tomorrow.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Two weeks from tomorrow.

Oh man, great giveway promotion that day.

 

[scotsman1948]

It scares me that Howard had a good outing and he could easily slide into Hearn's slot because Hearn is due to pitch when I am going to the game in Detroit. I sure hope Winn pitches phenomenally Sunday so that he becomes a possibility. Lol

rather see Alexy or Allard or Winn before that

 

[saddles]

One thing to keep in mind about Hearn is that he has only started 22 games in the big leagues.

He had three bad outings in mid and late April that has made his ERA look bad. Since the beginning of May he has an ERA of 4.39.

Eventually, either Leiter, Winn, Ragans or Alexy will get his spot, but if we have to run Hearn out there for another two or three months in the mean time, that won't be a terrible thing. It won't be optimal, but we have had several worse pitchers in our rotation over the last several years.

There is also a chance we make a trade at the end of next month for a young pitcher that could slot into his spot. The trade scenario I suggested a day or two ago or any number of other trade scenarios could give us a replacement for Taylor.

 

[saddles]

Oh man, great giveway promotion that day.

Yep.