[senior octobre]

Cliff Lee goes tonight vs the Oakland A's, which looks as though we might not see him next week in Seattle. The Rangers have a day off August 2nd, so we may see Lee after all if they bump him along, and why wouldn't they ?

Much is said about the Texas weather in the Summer time and with it, the Rangers will melt in the dog days due to the triple digit teens that they get. Is there anything to it or has it just been in years past that the Rangers sucked ?

The Ranger's schedule doesn't look easy even with three with the M's coming up. With 63 games remaining, they have 32 games against the West which includes 10 games vs LA Angels, 12 vs Oakland and 10 vs Seattle. They have five remaining with the Bombers and three each with TB, Boston and 7 against the Twins. The Rangers go back East twice more. It's only a seven game lead on LA and 7 1/2 on Oakland. It ain't over til it's over.

The Angels go back East four more times and they might have an even tougher road to hoe then the Rangers. They have six with Tampa, six with Boston and three with the CHI SOX and the Twins, but they are done with the Yankees.

Rangers schedule:

Tue, Jul 27 vsOakland 8:05 PM Lee (9-4) Gonzalez (9-6)
Wed, Jul 28 vsOakland 8:05 PM Lewis (9-6) Cahill (9-4)
Thu, Jul 29 vsOakland 8:05 PM Wilson (9-5) Mazzaro (6-2)

Fri, Jul 30 @LA Angels 10:05 PM Feldman (5-9) Santana (9-7)
Sat, Jul 31 @LA Angels 9:05 PM Hunter (8-0) Bell (1-2)
Sun, Aug 1 @LA Angels 3:35 PM Lee (9-4) Pineiro (10-7)

Tue, Aug 3 @Seattle 10:10 PM
Wed, Aug 4 @Seattle 10:10 PM
Thu, Aug 5 @Seattle 10:10 PM

Fri, Aug 6 @Oakland 10:05 PM
Sat, Aug 7 @Oakland 4:10 PM
Sun, Aug 8 @Oakland 4:05 PM

Tue, Aug 10 vsNY Yankees 8:05 PM
Wed, Aug 11 vsNY Yankees 8:05 PM

Fri, Aug 13 vsBoston 8:05 PM
Sat, Aug 14 vsBoston 8:05 PM
Sun, Aug 15 vsBoston 3:05 PM

Mon, Aug 16 @Tampa Bay 7:10 PM
Tue, Aug 17 @Tampa Bay 7:10 PM
Wed, Aug 18 @Tampa Bay 1:10 PM

Thu, Aug 19 @Baltimore 7:05 PM
Fri, Aug 20 @Baltimore 7:05 PM
Sat, Aug 21 @Baltimore 4:10 PM
Sun, Aug 22 @Baltimore 1:35 PM

Mon, Aug 23 vsMinnesota 8:05 PM
Tue, Aug 24 vsMinnesota 8:05 PM
Wed, Aug 25 vsMinnesota 8:05 PM
Thu, Aug 26 vsMinnesota 8:05 PM

Fri, Aug 27 vsOakland 8:05 PM
Sat, Aug 28 vsOakland 8:05 PM
Sun, Aug 29 vsOakland 3:05 PM

Mon, Aug 30 @Kansas City 8:10 PM
Tue, Aug 31 @Kansas City 8:10 PM

SEPTEMBER

Wed, Sep 1 @Kansas City 8:10 PM

Fri, Sep 3 @Minnesota 8:10 PM
Sat, Sep 4 @Minnesota 4:10 PM
Sun, Sep 5 @Minnesota 2:10 PM

Mon, Sep 6 @Toronto 1:07 PM
Tue, Sep 7 @Toronto 7:07 PM
Wed, Sep 8 @Toronto 7:07 PM
Thu, Sep 9 @Toronto 7:07 PM

Fri, Sep 10 vsNY Yankees 8:05 PM
Sat, Sep 11 vsNY Yankees 8:05 PM
Sun, Sep 12 vsNY Yankees 3:05 PM

Tue, Sep 14 vsDetroit 8:05 PM
Wed, Sep 15 vsDetroit 8:05 PM

Fri, Sep 17 @Seattle 10:10 PM
Sat, Sep 18 @Seattle 9:10 PM
Sun, Sep 19 @Seattle 4:10 PM

Mon, Sep 20 @LA Angels 10:05 PM
Tue, Sep 21 @LA Angels 10:05 PM
Wed, Sep 22 @LA Angels 10:05 PM

Thu, Sep 23 @Oakland 10:05 PM
Fri, Sep 24 @Oakland 10:05 PM
Sat, Sep 25 @Oakland 4:05 PM
Sun, Sep 26 @Oakland 4:05 PM

Mon, Sep 27 vsSeattle 8:05 PM
Tue, Sep 28 vsSeattle 8:05 PM
Wed, Sep 29 vsSeattle 2:05 PM

Thu, Sep 30 vsLA Angels 8:05 PM

OCTOBER

Fri, Oct 1 vsLA Angels 8:05 PM
Sat, Oct 2 vsLA Angels 8:05 PM
Sun, Oct 3 vsLA Angels

Angels schedule:

JULY

Mon, Jul 26 vsBoston 10:05 PM Pineiro (10-7) Buchholz (10-5)
Tue, Jul 27 vsBoston 10:05 PM Weaver (9-6) Lackey (9-5)
Wed, Jul 28 vsBoston 3:35 PM Haren (7-8) Beckett (1-1)

Fri, Jul 30 vsTexas 10:05 PM Santana (9-7) Feldman (5-9)
Sat, Jul 31 vsTexas 9:05 PM Bell (1-2) Hunter (8-0)

AUGUST

Sun, Aug 1 vsTexas 3:35 PM Pineiro (10-7) Lee

Tue, Aug 3 @Baltimore 7:05 PM
Wed, Aug 4 @Baltimore 7:05 PM
Thu, Aug 5 @Baltimore 7:05 PM

Fri, Aug 6 @Detroit 7:05 PM
Sat, Aug 7 @Detroit 7:05 PM
Sun, Aug 8 @Detroit 1:05 PM

Mon, Aug 9 vsKansas City 10:05 PM
Tue, Aug 10 vsKansas City 10:05 PM
Wed, Aug 11 vsKansas City 3:35 PM

Fri, Aug 13 vsToronto 10:05 PM
Sat, Aug 14 vsToronto 9:05 PM
Sun, Aug 15 vsToronto 3:35 PM

Tue, Aug 17 @Boston 7:10 PM
Wed, Aug 18 @Boston 7:10 PM
Thu, Aug 19 @Boston 7:10 PM

Fri, Aug 20 @Minnesota 8:10 PM
Sat, Aug 21 @Minnesota 4:10 PM
Sun, Aug 22 @Minnesota 2:10 PM

Mon, Aug 23 vsTampa Bay 10:05 PM
Tue, Aug 24 vsTampa Bay 10:05 PM
Wed, Aug 25 vsTampa Bay 3:35 PM

Fri, Aug 27 vsBaltimore 10:05 PM
Sat, Aug 28 vsBaltimore 9:05 PM
Sun, Aug 29 vsBaltimore 3:35 PM

Mon, Aug 30 @Seattle 10:10 PM
Tue, Aug 31 @Seattle 10:10 PM

SEPTEMBER

Wed, Sep 1 @Seattle 10:10 PM

Fri, Sep 3 @Oakland 10:05 PM
Sat, Sep 4 @Oakland 4:10 PM
Sun, Sep 5 @Oakland 4:05 PM

Mon, Sep 6 vsCleveland 9:05 PM
Tue, Sep 7 vsCleveland 10:05 PM
Wed, Sep 8 vsCleveland 7:05 PM

Fri, Sep 10 vsSeattle 10:05 PM
Sat, Sep 11 vsSeattle TBA
Sun, Sep 12 vsSeattle 3:35 PM

Tue, Sep 14 @Cleveland 7:05 PM
Wed, Sep 15 @Cleveland 7:05 PM
Thu, Sep 16 @Cleveland 7:05 PM

Fri, Sep 17 @Tampa Bay 7:10 PM
Sat, Sep 18 @Tampa Bay 6:10 PM
Sun, Sep 19 @Tampa Bay 1:40 PM

Mon, Sep 20 vsTexas 10:05 PM
Tue, Sep 21 vsTexas 10:05 PM
, Sep 22 vsTexas 10:05 PM

Fri, Sep 24 vsWhite Sox 10:05 PM
Sat, Sep 25 vsWhite Sox TBA
Sun, Sep 26 vsWhite Sox 3:35 PM

Mon, Sep 27 vsOakland 10:05 PM
Tue, Sep 28 vsOakland 10:05 PM
Wed, Sep 29 vsOakland TBA

Thu, Sep 30 @Texas 8:05 PM

OCTOBER

Fri, Oct 1 @Texas 8:05 PM
Sat, Oct 2 @Texas 8:05 PM
Sun, Oct 3 @Texas 3:05 PM

This post has been edited by senior octobre: 05 October 2010 - 04:29 AM

[senior octobre]

It looks like the M's will miss Cliff Lee in the upcoming series. Lee goes Sunday vs Weaver of the Angels and the three gamer with the M's is Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.

Tuesday: Lewis vs Vargas

Wednesday: Wilson vs Pauley

Thursday: Hunter vs Fister

If the Rangers stay true to form, Lee will pitch Sunday against LA, followed by a start @ Oakland. He'll miss the Yankee series, pitch in the Red Sox series and miss the Rays.

The Rangers gave up some prospects (Right-handed pitchers Tanner Roark and Ryan Tatusko) for the Nats' Cristian Guzman and more prospects (RHP Evan Reed and RHP Omar Poveda) for Jorge Cantu formerly of the Marlins. Also, the Rangers traded RHP Chris Ray and RHP Michael Main to San Francisco for C Bengie Molina. In addition to the Lee deal, this adds up to a ton of Texas minor leaguers leaving. Texas, just recently, was considered one of the best minor league systems in the big leagues.

The future is now for Texas. I'm not a bankruptcy lawyer, but all signs say they will continue to a bid process with prospective buyers for the team.

Tonight in LA: Hunter vs Santana

[Taro]

Instead of going after minor upgrades Texas should have gone after Lance Berkman.

They are going all in anyways, and the Astros got barely anything despite covering most of his salary.

Texas is looking less likely to dominate the division long-term after the Cliff Lee and Dan Haren trades. Its a ring in '10 or back to the Angels being the favorite in '11 again.

[senior octobre]

The Yankees picked up Berkman ? Man oh Man !

[misterjonez]

Taro, on Jul 30 2010, 06:49 PM, said:

Instead of going after minor upgrades Texas should have gone after Lance Berkman.

They are going all in anyways, and the Astros got barely anything despite covering most of his salary.

Texas is looking less likely to dominate the division long-term after the Cliff Lee and Dan Haren trades. Its a ring in '10 or back to the Angels being the favorite in '11 again.

I would guess the problem with a Berkman acquisition is that Texas is in bankruptcy, and even a relatively modest increase in their payroll might be too much for them to swing. But on a talent-for-talent basis, combined with their all-in push this year, you're spot-on.

Dunn might actually make some sense for them. Not quite as much money, either...but it sounds like Washington is demanding an impact arm in exchange, which is something the Rangers don't have a surplus of at the moment.

[JOlderdude]

This isn't the Berkman of the past. It's a shell of Lance Berkman. Yes, he still has an .808 OPS but it comes with a Sweeneyesque - DL at any moment - presence as well. He's not the monster bat of 2000 through 2006. He's a career .959 OPS with three seasons over 1.000. He's having his worst OPS+ season since his cupa coffee year of 1999 when he played in 34 games and had about 100 PA. The real tell-tale is that his OBP is the worst since 1999 along with his SLG and BA. Career OBP of .410. This year .372. His BA is .30 lower than any previous full year. Look at his year-by-year stats and you see a player in significant decline. It's unlikely he'll even put up this year's numbers next year.

He is hitting just .194 outside Minute Maid Park this season. And he is hitting just .188 against left-handed pitchers. And, he's going to the AL.

The Yanks acquired a bench bat. A decent bench bat, better than anything the M's have, but a bench bat none the less.

As a side note, he accepted the trade only on the condition that his $15M team option for 2011 would not be picked up, according to MLB.com. He says he's real nervous about playing anywhere outside of Texas. Man, he turned down $15M guaranteed because he wouldn't be playing for the 'Stros. He said he did the deal because he wants the 'Stros to gain.

Quote

"I'm a little nervous, a little apprehensive about this whole thing," Berkman told Houston reporters. "I'm from Texas. Heck, I played at Rice. This city is like the womb. I feel comfortable here and to think about the possibility of going anywhere else is kind of scary.

"My ideal situation is to win a title here. If this organization feels those aims are better accomplished by trying to strip down this roster and reload with some younger guys, I don't want to stay in the way of that."

USA Today

Quote

"If something were to happen, I'd definitely want to leave the possibility of coming back here next year," Berkman had said earlier.

"This is my home; this is my organization. I'll always be a Houston Astro, no matter what happens the next 24 hours," Berkman said. "If something does happen, I'd certainly want to leave myself open to return to the team if that makes sense for the organization for the team and for me as well."
"One of the prerequisites might be that they not pick my option up," Berkman said. "I don't want to be stuck someplace I don’t like. Houston is my home. I'll always be a Houston Astro."

Houston Chronicle

[misterjonez]

JOlderdude, on Jul 30 2010, 08:34 PM, said:

As a side note, he accepted the trade only on the condition that his $15M team option for 2011 would not be picked up, according to MLB.com. He says he's real nervous about playing anywhere outside of Texas. Man, he turned down $15M guaranteed because he wouldn't be playing for the 'Stros. He said he did the deal because he wants the 'Stros to gain.

So...the Yanks might have acquired Berkman plus draft picks? That's really quite depressing. I was under the assumption that Berkman's option would be automatic, which would probably mean that Berkman's quality of play brings him down below the A or B thresholds after next year.

I was thinking this thing required Berkman's option to be picked up. If not, that really swings things in the Yankees' favor.

I'm not completely convinced that Berkman is done, though. His BB:K ratio is 60:70 this year, but he is showing some problems vs. LHP. But for sure, you're not getting any 1.000 OPS's out of him any more. Something in the .850 range might be do-able, though. He is only 34, and it's not like he's got the extreme 'old player' skillset.

This post has been edited by misterjonez: 30 July 2010 - 09:58 PM

[Taro]

I don't think Berkman is done quite yet. .900 OPS the past month and he started the season injured. He'll be the Yankees' regular DH.

I realize Texas is strapped, but the Astros seemed willing to throw in money.. If the Rangers wanted a real upgrade at 1B, Berkman was the guy.

Cantu might be an upgrade, but he also might not be. The Rangers have already given up Smoak + a lot of other specs for a run this season, you might as well go after Berkman for slighty more (it wouldn't of costed an elite spec anyways).

[misterjonez]

Taro, on Jul 30 2010, 11:07 PM, said:

I don't think Berkman is done quite yet. .900 OPS the past month and he started the season injured. He'll be the Yankees' regular DH.

I realize Texas is strapped, but the Astros seemed willing to throw in money.. If the Rangers wanted a real upgrade at 1B, Berkman was the guy.

Cantu might be an upgrade, but he also might not be. The Rangers have already given up Smoak + a lot of other specs for a run this season, you might as well go after Berkman for slighty more (it wouldn't of costed an elite spec anyways).

With the amount of money the 'stros picked up, I would have thought Texas would be jumping up and down to lock in some league-average-plus production from 1B for their first pennant chase in however long.

It must have simply been too much money for them to clear through their creditors.

This post has been edited by misterjonez: 30 July 2010 - 11:12 PM

[senior octobre]

Since Figgins tried to kick Wak's butt, Figgins has hit in 11 of 13 games with 8 multi hit games, 4 SB, 0 CS. He raised his average from .229 to .251 and his OBP from .329 to (.342). They should have benched Figgins long ago and more often, if anger is the thing that gets him going. Could the position switch have put a burden on Figgins ? Perhaps. Everyone thinks it easy to play 2B or anywhere for that matter. Just move this guy over here and move that guy there and bring this guy up and blah, blah, blah. I think there was a reason that the Angels had Figgins at 3B most of the time.

[senior octobre]

Taro, on Jul 30 2010, 11:07 PM, said:

I don't think Berkman is done quite yet. .900 OPS the past month and he started the season injured. He'll be the Yankees' regular DH.

Yes and Berkman has to love hitting in the Yankee lineup and in Yankee Stadium.

[senior octobre]

senior octobre, on Aug 7 2010, 10:32 AM, said:

Yes and Berkman has to love hitting in the Yankee lineup and in Yankee Stadium.

Berkman 2-19, BB, RBI, in five games with the Yankees. He hit second vs James Shields and Matt Garza of the Rays in his first two games with the Bombers. He has since been moved back to sixth or seventh behind Cano and Posada.

[senior octobre]

the Nolan Ryan group won the bid in the bankruptcy process. Ryan who has been the guy there for a couple of years has turned around that pitching staff. He brought in a mindset of starters finishing what they started by going way over 100 pitches. The staff is buying into it. He even had a former closer volunteer to start with the idea if it works they will continue it and if not he would return to relief. It seems to be working. Instead of having four or five twos and threes they have a number one in Lee now that they can all study his work ethic and Lee takes the pressure off everyone else.

They stole The Impaler from the Angels which has to be the biggest heist in recent memory or the biggest boo-boo. Why the M's didn't take a run at him, I don't know. He makes the Safe look really small.

The Wild Card figures to come from the AL East and they will probably play the Rangers, which none of them want to do. Can you imagine Lee going games 1 and 4 in a series ? We can. We used to have Lee.

[senior octobre]

Quote

Berkman was booed during another hitless game that left him 2 for 22 since he was acquired from Houston. "This is a big boy's game and place to play. Trust me, I'm booing myself," Berkman said. "I have no credibility here. I haven't won a championship here. You have to earn the fans' respect." Berkman said all he's earned from the fans so far "is their ire."

cbssports.com

Some were thinking that Berkman couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat but he hit A-Rod with a liner during BP.

yardbarker

[senior octobre]

senior octobre, on Aug 8 2010, 09:28 AM, said:

cbssports.com

Some were thinking that Berkman couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat but he hit A-Rod with a liner during BP.

yardbarker

Derek Jeter with 2873 hits will reach 3000 next year. With 460 2B's, it will take him another couple of years to reach 500. A-Rod, who just hit the 600 HR level will reach 714 HR's about the same time.

Who will reach first a] Jeter to 500 2B's, or, b] A-Rod to 714 HR's ?

What will be a bigger story ?

edit: A-Rod has 471 2B's of his own. Holy Cow !

This post has been edited by senior octobre: 08 August 2010 - 10:06 AM

[MtGrizzly]

senior octobre, on Aug 8 2010, 10:14 AM, said:

They stole The Impaler from the Angels which has to be the biggest heist in recent memory or the biggest boo-boo. Why the M's didn't take a run at him, I don't know.

Three words - Ken Griffey Junior.

[JOlderdude]

senior octobre, on Aug 8 2010, 09:28 AM, said:

cbssports.com

Some were thinking that Berkman couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat but he hit A-Rod with a liner during BP.

yardbarker

JOlderdude, on Jul 30 2010, 08:34 PM, said:

This isn't the Berkman of the past. It's a shell of Lance Berkman....

He is hitting just .194 outside Minute Maid Park this season. And he is hitting just .188 against left-handed pitchers. And, he's going to the AL.

The Yanks acquired a bench bat. A decent bench bat, better than anything the M's have, but a bench bat none the less.

I was wrong. He's not even a decent bench bat to this point. He may get there but it's looking like the move to the AL and his "outside Minute Maid Park" problems are making him pretty useless.

[senior octobre]

Figgins is on fire - Larry Stone Seattle Times

Quote

OK, he's not on fire. But Figgins is hitting .481 (13-for-27) during a seven-game hitting streak, .522 (12-for-23) on the homestand, and .407 (24-for-59) since the dugout incident with manager Don Wakamatsu.

[senior octobre]

The Yankees did something on Wednesday that a team hasn't done against the Rangers Cliff Lee since May 21 - get him out of the game before the eighth inning. Lee tied a season-low with 6 1/3 innings pitched Wednesday. The Yankees came back from a 6-1 score.

Cliff Lee in 6.1 innings gave up 8 hits, 4 runs, 11 K's.

Quote

"I started missing my spots a little bit," said Lee, who still threw 76 of 106 pitches for strikes. "I felt like I was running out of gas."

[senior octobre]

If today is the end for Chipper Jones and he has not said one way or another, is he a Hall-of-Famer ?

Lifetime: Average (.306) Games (2261) AB's (8142) R's (1505) H's (2490) 2B's (493) 3B's (37) HR's (436) RBI's (1491) BB's (1404) K's (1278) OBP (.405) SLG (.536) OPS (.941)