Texas Rangers 2016 Thread

Games remaining as of 08 September:
Texas - 22
Seattle - 23
Houston - 23

Magic Number update:

Seattle
12 as of beginning of play 07 September

-0 Seattle Win
-0 Texas Loss

12 as of start of play 08 September

Houston
16 as of beginning of play 07 September

-1 Houston Loss
-0 Texas Loss

15 as of start of play 08 September

 

Griffin gets roughed up and Rangers lose 8-3 late last night out in Seattle, Holland on mound today as Rangers look to split this four game set. Going into this road trip my thought was that 5-5 would be a success, right now the Rangers are 1-2, get win today, take two in Anaheim and 1 in Houston and I am happy. Astros lose so Viper gets to lower the magic number and lead is still 8 1/2 for West, just 2 for best record in AL (though only one in loss column over Cleveland).

 

An afternoon of good news as Cleveland beats Houston so Viper will be moving that magic number down later regardless of what happens in Seattle late tonight and then the announcement that Colby Lewis will be activated and will be back in the rotation starting this coming Sunday against the Astros. In the last rotation, every Ranger starter with the exception of Perez got hit pretty bad so this can only be good news. He likely replaces Griffin out of whom the Rangers got 106 innings and 7 wins this season. Griffin was always a placeholder and now he can be long relief for the remainder of the year and post-season.

 

Games remaining as of 09 September:
Texas - 21
Seattle - 22
Houston - 22

Magic Number update:

Seattle
12 as of beginning of play 08 September

-0 Seattle Win
-0 Texas Loss

12 as of start of play 09 September

Houston
15 as of beginning of play 08 September

-1 Houston Loss
-0 Texas Loss

14 as of start of play 09 September

 

Rangers lose 6-3 and leave Seattle having dropped 3 of 4 to start this road trip. Holland cant get out of fifth inning. On to Anaheim as Rangers are now tied with Cleveland in loss column for best record in AL.

 

Time to crank it up and get back into the W column. Home field advantage is worth fighting for. The Angels are hot right now, so the Rangers are going into Anaheim with a challenge in front of them.

 

Just for information, 2016 Rangers v. Indians:

@home - 3-1
@Cleveland - 2-1

 

Games remaining as of 10 September:
Texas - 20
Seattle - 21
Houston - 21

Magic Number update:

Seattle
12 as of beginning of play 09 September

-0 Seattle Win
-1 Texas Win

11 as of start of play 10 September

Houston
14 as of beginning of play 09 September

-1 Houston Loss
-1 Texas Win

12 as of start of play 10 September

 

Nice to see Yu return to form last night in Anaheim. Matt Bush pitched very well to get the W. Just enough offense to score 2 and win 2-1. Cole on the hill tonight - another W would be very nice, as Cleveland won't go away in the battle for home field advantage.

 

Yu gets back on track but gets only one run in support; that is enough for a no decision for Darvish and then a Beltre homer in the 8th is the difference in a 2-1 Rangers win. Rangers stay one up on Cleveland for best record though still tied in loss column for best record in AL.

 

The issue now might be postponed games. Cleveland had several postponed games early in the season but appear to have made them up. Counting today's game they have 22 left, but several games at home and a slew of games in Chicago and Detroit. This time of the year the weather around the lakes is a day to day thing so chances are they will have at least one game postponed. If there are playoff implications MLB will make them play the postponed games. I just am not sure if MLB classifies home field advantage on par with a division or WC race.

 

Games remaining as of 11 September:
Texas - 19
Seattle - 20
Houston - 20

Magic Number update:

Seattle
11 as of beginning of play 10 September

-0 Seattle Win
-1 Texas Win

10 as of start of play 11 September

Houston
12 as of beginning of play 10 September

-0 Houston Win
-1 Texas Win

11 as of start of play 11 September

 

So I got back to hotel last night from UTEP game just in time to see Keone Kela cough up a 4-2 lead in the seventh but then that potent Rangers lineup comes through in the eighth to retake lead and Bush/Dyson shut down the Angels over the last two innings and the Rangers even up their record on this road trip at 3-3. Hamels was apparently effectively wild and pitched his way out of a couple of jams. He and Darvish are the key on race for best record and for any playoff run possibilities. Cleveland loses so Rangers are 2 up in best record race (1 in loss column). Going for sweep this afternoon in Anaheim then big series in Houston starting Monday.

 

Colby Lewis goes 5 1/3 in his first start and but for three solo shots does pretty good. Unfortunately everyone in Ranger lineup but Beltre decided to take afternoon off and Rangers lose 3-2 in spite of Beltre's two homer day. On a good note to end day though Houston is getting drilled by Cubs, down 8 after 5 innings so I suspect Viper will get to move that magic number again. Cleveland wins and so the best record in AL race is once again tied in loss column. 3 in Houston to end this last long road trip of year (1 more series in Oakland after this in about week and half but other 12 are all at home where Rangers have been outstanding).

 

This. Diekman and kela have been about as close to awful as one can get the past 2 weeks. I think diekman went 4 appearances and 10 consecutive batters without retiring anyone.... like wtf?!?!?

 

Games remaining as of 12 September:
Texas - 18
Seattle - 19
Houston - 19

Magic Number update:

Seattle
10 as of beginning of play 11 September

-0 Seattle Win
-0 Texas Loss

10 as of start of play 12 September

Houston
11 as of beginning of play 11 September

-1 Houston Loss
-0 Texas Loss

10 as of start of play 12 September

Texas can put Houston away by winning at least 2 out of three starting today.

 

Games remaining as of 13 September:
Texas - 17
Seattle - 18
Houston - 18

Magic Number update:

SINGLE DIGITS!!!

Seattle
10 as of beginning of play 12 September

-0 Seattle Win
-1 Texas Win

9 as of start of play 13 September

Houston
10 as of beginning of play 12 September

-1 Houston Loss
-1 Texas Win

8 as of start of play 13 September

 

Dyson blows his fifth save of year in 39 attempts (not bad all things considered) but the Rangers dont quit and Keone Kela and Jake Diekman combine in extra innings to hold the Astros off and Rougie's solo shot in the 12th was enough for another one run win 4-3. While Dyson giving up a solo shot was frustrating, he has been solid of late so it isnt that worrisome. Perez pitched a great game and almost got a second road win in a row, and it was very good to see Kela and Diekman step up. Rangers are 4-4 on this road trip and they retake a 2 game lead on Cleveland in best record race though and stop me if this is like a broken record just 1 in loss column.

 

Looks like Cleveland has a bit tougher schedule remaining than the Rangers do. Hope the Rangers keep it going - seems that they will wrap up the West pretty quickly, but will likely be in a battle for home field advantage right up to the end of the season.

I'm with FWHORN - not really worried about Dyson, and it was very good to see Kela and Diekman get it done. Next big watch item - who becomes #3 in the rotation for the post-season? Lewis? Holland? Perez? Sure would like to see all three of them pitch well and make it a tough decision for Bannister.

 

The Morning News said Holland will be in the pen for the foreseeable future (at least until the end of the Regular Season). That may hurt Holland's ego, but not a bad move for the team as Holland can be put in early and pitch for several innings.

 

Every 5th start should be Griffin for 4. Holland for 4.... Griffin just can't pitch after 5. his stuff is too easy to pick up after 1 time thru the lineup. Holland has been pitching fine. I'd honestly rather see him start a game than griffin.


Update: of course he has maybe his best outing of the year, allowing 2 solo shots in 7 innings. Rangers O was non existent until the 9th... and what a great 9th it was!!! Another awesome late win!

 

Games remaining as of 14 September:
Texas - 16
Seattle - 17
Houston - 17
Magic Number update:

Seattle
9 as of beginning of play 13 September

-0 Seattle Win
-1 Texas Win

8 as of start of play 14 September

Houston
8 as of beginning of play 13 September

-1 Houston Loss
-1 Texas Win

6 as of start of play 14 September

 

Life must really stink as an Astros fan, the Rangers win another one run game 3-2 by scoring 2 in the ninth off a strikeout wild pitch that gets Odor on board and then a stolen base and with two outs a triple by Elvis and single by Profar to plate the tying and winning runs. Griffin pitched 7 full giving up just two runs and Claudio and Scheppers pitched last two to get win and save. Welcome back Tanner who has had 4 really good outings coming back from the DL. The DMN this morning says Derek Holland goes tonight as Rangers look for sweep. Apparently this is to set up playoff rotation where Hamels will pitch game one and Darvish game 2 of any series. Viper gets to move that magic number down and with Cleveland losing too, the Rangers move 3 games up in race for best record in AL.

 

Rangers drop the final game of series with Astros 8-4 as Holland cannot get out of the sixth and the Tanner Scheppers we used to know shows up tonight to pour a little more gasoline on the fire. Texas won Lone Star Series 15-4 and that dominance is difference in AL West race. Seattle and Cleveland win so rough night all around but Rangers go 5-5 on their last long road trip of year and that was what they needed to do. 6 at home now against A's and Angels and Rangers will look to go 4-2 or better. Seattle has suddenly woke up and won 9 out of 10 so they are hanging around at 8 1/2 back and Rangers lead over Cleveland is back to just 2 games and only 1 in loss column.

 

Games remaining as of 15 September:
Texas - 15
Seattle - 16
Houston - 16
Magic Number update:

Seattle
8 as of beginning of play 14 September

-0 Seattle Win
-0 Texas Loss

8 as of start of play 15 September

Houston
6 as of beginning of play 14 September

-0 Houston Win
-0 Texas Loss

6 as of start of play 15 September

 

Yup. They are what they are. I wonder if either will be around for next season.

 

Yeah, after last night I walked into the office and told a fellow co-worker who is a big Rangers fan that the old stinky Sheppers showed up last night.

But the good guys took the series and the 15-4 total... no complaints there.

The 'stros and their fans must absolutely HATE the Rangers.... they always seem to WIN / get the best of the 'stros.

 

Games remaining as of 16 September:
Texas - 15
Seattle - 16
Houston - 16
Magic Number update:

Seattle
8 as of beginning of play 15 September

-0 Seattle DNP
-0 Texas DNP

8 as of start of play 16 September

Houston
6 as of beginning of play 15 September

-0 Houston DNP
-0 Texas DNP

6 as of start of play 16 September

 

Games remaining as of 17 September:
Texas - 14
Seattle - 15
Houston - 15
Magic Number update:

(Note: I heard different numbers yesterday - basically each number one less than what I am showing. I reran the numbers again this morning, and my numbers still check out.)

Seattle
8 as of beginning of play 16 September

-1 Seattle Loss
-1 Texas Win

6 as of start of play 17 September

Houston
6 as of beginning of play 16 September

-0 Houston Win
-1 Texas Win

5 as of start of play 17 September

 

Rangers with another walk off win against the A's after Hamels struggles and leaves the game down 6-2, but the pen holds Oakland scoreless over last three innings and the offense comes through leaving Lucroy to hit a two rbi game winning hit with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and another 1 run Ranger win. We all know the magic is going to runout at some point but not last night and hopefully not this year. the Rangers have matched their win total of last year at 88 wins. They sit 2 and 1/2 games up on Cleveland for best record (2 in loss column). Rangers have chance to clinch West on this homestand but that is just first of many goals for September and beyond.