The Rangers first series is in the books and you can look at it one of two ways. They could have been 2-1. They should have been 0-3.
Texas had no business winning the first game with just one hit. But they won and that’s all that matters.
They had no business losing yesterday’s game with a one-run lead going into the ninth. Here’s a bit of advice: it’s not a good idea to give up five in the ninth.
On the upside, look at how well the Rangers rotation has pitched in its first three games.
Hamels: 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 K
Perez: 6 IP, 2 ER, 3 K
Lewis: 6 IP, 3 ER, 4 K
That’s three games, three quality starts, seven earned runs in nineteen innings, for an ERA of 3.32.
Perez left the game tied. Lewis left the game with a lead. All three gave their team a chance to win. A starter should be able to go more than six innings, though, but that’s a function of the whimpification of major league pitchers. They are fragile china dolls who need to be protected in bubble wrap and left on the self for display only.
The bullpen was another story indeed. Eight innings pitched. Fourteen earned runs. For a frightening 15.57 ERA.
Another troubling trend. Rangers pitching gave up nine home runs in twenty-seven innings. (Rangers hitters got one.)
Rangers hitters are batting .161 but that’s a topic for another day. Federal Internet restrictions limit us to whining about only one thing at a time.
Just keep this in mind:
Mike Trout has yet to have a hit.
The Phillies bullpen has blown a save in every game this season so far.
The Saint Louis Cardinals have yet to win a game.
Arte Moreno still owns the Angels.
And the San Diego Padres have yet to score a run, having been shut out in all three of their games this year.
So what if the Rangers bullpen has an ERA of 15.57? Things can always be worse.
*****
TONIGHT’S GAME
Texas Rangers (1-2) at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (0-2)
Derek Holland (4-3, 4.91) vs. Hector Santiago (9-9, 3.59)
Game Time: 9:05
How the Rangers hit against Santiago.
How the Angels hit against Holland.