Series Thread: Rangers Travel to Tampa Bay for Three Games With the Rays April 1-3

[DT LUNA]

Lol. Go back and watch the postseason games.

They don't count. These do but maybe it will turn around.

 

[Kelleyman]

Think Garcia should have called for it but this is his 2nd pop up missed

Think Smith starts tomorrow again Smith ANs looks better the Zeke at this point. Hope Zeke finds it
Besides Heim not very good hitting. It happens also what a wasted challenge
Yerry is going to have to learn to pitch with MLB pressure

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

 

[DT LUNA]

Think Garcia should have called for it but this is his 2nd pop up missed

Think Smith starts tomorrow again Smith ANs looks better the Zeke at this point. Hope Zeke finds it
Besides Heim not very good hitting. It happens also what a wasted challenge
Yerry is going to have to learn to pitch with MLB pressure

You make some very good points. Might add Carter does not need to hit #3 until it gets it worked out.

 

[saddles]

I think we get things turned around today with Eovaldi on the mound. Hopefully, the bats come alive.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Think Garcia should have called for it but this is his 2nd pop up missed

Think Smith starts tomorrow again Smith ANs looks better the Zeke at this point. Hope Zeke finds it
Besides Heim not very good hitting. It happens also what a wasted challenge
Yerry is going to have to learn to pitch with MLB pressure

Why do you say Zeke lost it and that Josh Smith looks better?

 

[saddles]

 

[DT LUNA]

Good to see Carter sit. No Fosque? Both Smith and Duran starting? Good luck Eovaldi.

 

[Kelleyman]

Why do you say Zeke lost it and that Josh Smith looks better?

Just looking at his ABs Zeke had trouble recognizing pitches

 

[DT LUNA]

Just looking at his ABs Zeke had trouble recognizing pitches

Didn't Zeke also have trouble late 2023 with low sliders striking out?

 

[fanman8825]

I think we get things turned around today with Eovaldi on the mound. Hopefully, the bats come alive.

I agree was going to post on it. As long as we win series we’re fine.
We need Carter to start hitting especially in the 3 hole. Glad he got the day off. Good move by Bochy
Tavares is another problem as well. Really wanted him to be traded for more pitching before the season. I know it’s early but seeing more of the same from him.

 

[fanman8825]

Didn't Zeke also have trouble late 2023 with low sliders striking out?

Yes he kept biting on those low and away sliders

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Didn't Zeke also have trouble late 2023 with low sliders striking out?

And Smith didn't?

 

[WastinSomeTime]

On the posting picking Smith over Duran this just makes no sense. There is nothing that states Duran is having difficulty with pitches right now. Yes, he struggled the 2nd half of the year. But he had a good spring and has had 3 hits in his first 8 ABs. Smith the last 2 years hit 197 and 185. There is nothing that says Smith deserves playing time over Duran and that Duran is the one of the two who is struggling. That being said they both need playing time and I hope Smith does well.
I am not surprised that Carter is struggling right now. I also felt like that Langford would be the better hitter of the two. Of course that remains to be seen. But both will be very key players for the Rangers hopefully for years to come.

 

[fanman8825]

On the posting picking Smith over Duran this just makes no sense. There is nothing that states Duran is having difficulty with pitches right now. Yes, he struggled the 2nd half of the year. But he had a good spring and has had 3 hits in his first 8 ABs. Smith the last 2 years hit 197 and 185. There is nothing that says Smith deserves playing time over Duran and that Duran is the one of the two who is struggling. That being said they both need playing time and I hope Smith does well.
I am not surprised that Carter is struggling right now. I also felt like that Langford would be the better hitter of the two. Of course that remains to be seen. But both will be very key players for the Rangers hopefully for years to come.

I actually like Duran and loved the trade to get him from the Yankees. I think he has a decent chance to be a 300 hitter as long as he can lay off those low away sliders that got him a lot last year in the 2nd half.

After watching Langford to this point he is the real deal. It’s early still but he still has not seen as many pitches that a rookie at 22 would see after going thru the process of being in the minor leagues. We all know how how quick he got up here because he is damn good. He will get to see all the pitches at this level and get to adjust as the season progresses.

 

[saddles]

I don't think we will fully know what Duran and Smith are capable of offensively, while they are on the Rangers. If they move on to another team that is willing to play them almost every day for a few months then we will find out. They have too many good players in front of them for us to find that out while they are here.

 

[saddles]