Remember the old saying from the 1948 season? Well, I doubt anyone here was actually there. But most baseball fans have heard the saying, “Spahn and Sain and pray for rain.”

The old Boston Braves had two of the most dominating starting pitchers in the National League. Their other two starters (back when a rotation consisted of four, not five arms) were not so good. So, a local sportswriter dreamed up that ditty, hoping with enough rain and off days, his beloved Braves would have to use only those two pitchers.

After today’s game, and with apologies to Boston Post sportswriter Gerald Hern, the Rangers now have a poem that best depicts their lineup. 

“Smith then Seager then it gets really meager.”

After a brief outpouring of offense the previous few games, the Rangers returned to their regularly scheduled programming in their 3-1 loss in the rubber game of the three-game series against the Padres.

Josh Smith batted leadoff and collected two hits. Corey Seager batted second and collected two hits. The next seven guys collected two hits. Total. For a combined 2-for-24. 

Smith then Seager then it gets really meager. Like really really meager.

Any lineup that has Leody Taveras batting sixth, Travis Jankowski seventh, Andrew Knizner eighth and Jonathan Ornelas ninth is in trouble.  

It was the Fourth of July, and the Rangers were celebrating their independence from post-season baseball. No longer are they going to subject themselves to the tyranny of scoring runs.

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TODAY’S GAME: