Series Thread: Rangers @ Twins 5/26-29

[donaldson79]

Hopefully our good fortune continues.

 

[Nightcrawler]

For some reason, the Rangers struggle to beat the twinkies. I don't know why.... They shut us down last year with. A bunch of random pitchers who had 5.00+ ERAs. Every game was a struggle.

 

[TheRangerDude]

Gotta love taking 3 of 4 from the Tigers on the road... things are looking up if the offense can keep in this grove. I still think we are in the mix and stll have a decent shot at the playoffs.

On an unrelated note: I know some of you hate this when I bring it up but Nelly is raking hard. Now leading the league in Hrs and RBI. Good for him, he is proving his doubters wrong and setting himself up for a sizable contract next season if he keeps it up. One pace for a career season which I sort of figured he was due for. He seems to be having that season we all knew he had in him. Sure glad the M's didn't sign him.

Sure would love to see us trade or dump Rios this off season and bring Nelly back. I know most of you are going rip him on his defense and his range is not as good but at least he will dive for the ball and know where to throw the ball as soon as he gets it.

 

[donaldson79]

DMN:

RHP Tanner Scheppers allowed a run in a 21-pitch inning Saturday for Double-A Frisco in his first rehab outing after dealing with elbow inflammation. Scheppers is scheduled to pitch again for Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday

Daniel Robertson is expected to be fitted with a plastic protective mask on Tuesday that would allow him to play despite several small fractures in the orbital bone around his left eye

RHP Neftali Feliz allowed a run and another homer in an inning of work for Round Rock on Saturday. Feliz has allowed seven hits (including four homers) over his last four innings of work.

The third time through the lineup continues to be a challenge for Tepesch. He’s allowed hitters to reach four times in 11 plate appearances this season and 46 times in 95 matchups (.472 OBP) for his career.

According to MLB.com, the Rangers have inquired about Washington Nationals first baseman/outfielder Tyler Moore. The story cites a "baseball source" that says the talks haven't been serious and the Rangers have a long list of first basemen they are looking at.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

I love Cruz and hated to lose him but at the same time I don't have the heartache that some have about Rios. The other day he had an IF hit and he looked so effortless in running to first but when they showed a replay it was above and behind the plate and you could see him tear out of the batters box like he was on fire then he got into his stride. He is very mechanical in much of what he does especially his swing. He tries to put the exact same swing on each pitch. Now I am not saying he is not trade bait but overall he has been a positive for us since being a Ranger.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

DMN:

RHP Tanner Scheppers allowed a run in a 21-pitch inning Saturday for Double-A Frisco in his first rehab outing after dealing with elbow inflammation. Scheppers is scheduled to pitch again for Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday

Daniel Robertson is expected to be fitted with a plastic protective mask on Tuesday that would allow him to play despite several small fractures in the orbital bone around his left eye

RHP Neftali Feliz allowed a run and another homer in an inning of work for Round Rock on Saturday. Feliz has allowed seven hits (including four homers) over his last four innings of work.

The third time through the lineup continues to be a challenge for Tepesch. He’s allowed hitters to reach four times in 11 plate appearances this season and 46 times in 95 matchups (.472 OBP) for his career.

According to MLB.com, the Rangers have inquired about Washington Nationals first baseman/outfielder Tyler Moore. The story cites a "baseball source" that says the talks haven't been serious and the Rangers have a long list of first basemen they are looking at.

Why are we wanting Robertson to play so badly anyway?

 

[donaldson79]

RangerDude..........."Sure would love to see us trade or dump Rios this off season and bring Nelly back. I know most of you are going rip him on his defense and his range is not as good but at least he will dive for the ball and know where to throw the ball as soon as he gets it."

Absence does make the memories fonder don't they?

I have no recollection of Cruz being real big on "diving" at all. None. And honestly, Cruz is not even in the league when it comes to comparing him to Rio's defensively. As much as some on here complain about Rio's body language, the guy plays pretty good D, and his offensive stats are excellent. No, they're not what Cruz is doing, but you remember how streaky Cruz can be. He'll cool off some. And I'm not knocking Cruz (really I'm not). Liked him and know we miss his bat.

I don't know what we're going to do with him at the trading deadline, or if we'll pick up his qualifying offer in the off season. But our OF defense with Cruz in RF and Choo in LF would be the worst in the bigs IMO.

 

[donaldson79]

Why are we wanting Robertson to play so badly anyway?

That's a very good question, to which I have no good answer.

 

[PDay8810]

"Sure would love to see us trade or dump Rios this off season and bring Nelly back"

 

[donaldson79]

Fordman........"Just like to say that even though Prince wasn't out there, was nice to see Ian's "0-162" team take the series."

.....very good sir.

 

[DT LUNA]

RangerDude..........."Sure would love to see us trade or dump Rios this off season and bring Nelly back. I know most of you are going rip him on his defense and his range is not as good but at least he will dive for the ball and know where to throw the ball as soon as he gets it."

Absence does make the memories fonder don't they?

I have no recollection of Cruz being real big on "diving" at all. None. And honestly, Cruz is not even in the league when it comes to comparing him to Rio's defensively. As much as some on here complain about Rio's body language, the guy plays pretty good D, and his offensive stats are excellent. No, they're not what Cruz is doing, but you remember how streaky Cruz can be. He'll cool off some. And I'm not knocking Cruz (really I'm not). Liked him and know we miss his bat.

I don't know what we're going to do with him at the trading deadline, or if we'll pick up his qualifying offer in the off season. But our OF defense with Cruz in RF and Choo in LF would be the worst in the bigs IMO.

Nice summary

 

[donaldson79]

"Sure would love to see us trade or dump Rios this off season and bring Nelly back"

You and I aren't exactly on the same page re: Mr Cruz. But my gosh, sometimes ya just gotta let go.

Cruz in place of Rio's? Let me say this: We best have a SO/ground ball based staff to be able to afford that potential OF.

 

[donaldson79]

Nice summary

Thank you sir.....hope you have at the very least, a decent day, TODAY, on your agenda.

 

[TheRangerDude]

I love Cruz and hated to lose him but at the same time I don't have the heartache that some have about Rios. The other day he had an IF hit and he looked so effortless in running to first but when they showed a replay it was above and behind the plate and you could see him tear out of the batters box like he was on fire then he got into his stride. He is very mechanical in much of what he does especially his swing. He tries to put the exact same swing on each pitch. Now I am not saying he is not trade bait but overall he has been a positive for us since being a Ranger.

I totally agree actually... He has a completely mechanical approach in all he does and I think he gets flack for some things he doesn't deserve. This goes especially for his swing and how he runs. But he doesn't seem willing to sacrifice his body in the OF though and I honestly don't recall him ever stretching out into a full dive. Maybe given all the injuries they have asked them not to though. Also, the have been several times he has had a play at the plate but he hesitates on his throws in sometimes. Other than that I wouldn't criticize him on much... just would prefer to see Nelly back next season. Doubt that happens though be if he keeps this up he is going to get a sizeable contract that will likely be too long for us.

 

[DT LUNA]

Thank you sir.....hope you have at the very least, a decent day, TODAY, on your agenda.

My agenda is right here. Good place to be.

 

[TheRangerDude]

RangerDude..........."Sure would love to see us trade or dump Rios this off season and bring Nelly back. I know most of you are going rip him on his defense and his range is not as good but at least he will dive for the ball and know where to throw the ball as soon as he gets it."

Absence does make the memories fonder don't they?

I have no recollection of Cruz being real big on "diving" at all. None. And honestly, Cruz is not even in the league when it comes to comparing him to Rio's defensively. As much as some on here complain about Rio's body language, the guy plays pretty good D, and his offensive stats are excellent. No, they're not what Cruz is doing, but you remember how streaky Cruz can be. He'll cool off some. And I'm not knocking Cruz (really I'm not). Liked him and know we miss his bat.

I don't know what we're going to do with him at the trading deadline, or if we'll pick up his qualifying offer in the off season. But our OF defense with Cruz in RF and Choo in LF would be the worst in the bigs IMO.

I wouldn't say I am any more fond on Cruz now that I ever have been. Always loved the guy and always saw this potential in him. As for the defense comparison- of course Rios is better defensively but here are a few diving plays by Cruz to jog your memory that is on thing he would do.

Crazy that most are vs the A's






This is just a good/lucky one- no dive

He missed this one but he dove

Maybe it was because he got a bad break on the ball at times... but he made sure it didn't hit the ground and thats what counts.

To be fair Rios has a few too but could't find any for the Rangers. Most of the other catch's I found were more like sliding catchs

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idKTTX1tA-s"]2011/06/29 Rios' diving catch - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwToA-m6Ek4"]2011/08/21 Rios' diving catch - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sET-AA9DjNk"]2010/04/05 Rios' diving catch ends game - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Duane1952]

Alright Rangers lets keep it going.

 

[romeo212000]

Unbelievable. Three balls absolutely smoked and three outs.

 

[DT LUNA]

Three hard hit balls right at a glove

 

[romeo212000]

Oops.