Let's Play Two

UPDATE: Rangers lose game 1 of the doubleheader, 4-3. Can't pin this one on Mike Wood, though - this time, it was the offense and bullpen that failed. Texas keeps finding new and exciting ways to lose ballgames. Sigh.

The Texas Rangers play two games today against the New York Yankees. I wish I could say I was twice as excited as usual.

Despite no baseball yesterday, there' s still some news out there this morning. The team has rearranged their rotation so that Kevin Millwood will start the first game against Andy Pettitte, and Robinson Tejeda will face Mike Mussina in the second game. Millwood is experiencing some soreness in his left hamstring, but is still expected to make the start; however, if he is unable to go, Mike Wood would make the start. Yikes.

UPDATE: Millwood has been scratched. Wood will make the start. Uh oh.

There's an interesting story this morning in the Fort-Worth Star Telegram detailing manager Ron Washington's adjustment from a coach to a manager. Apparently, an unnamed Ranger asked Washington to be less vocal last week in instructing the players on the field while the game was in progress, including giving less signs. While it worked for the first two games of the Toronto series with back-to-back wins, it obviously hasn't been as effective the last three games. Needless to say, Washington says he is going back to the former "hands-on" approach for now.

Eric Gagne's rehab from his latest DL stint is going as planned, and the right-hander could throw off the mound as soon as today or Friday. He is still on schedule to return for the series in New York, which begins on May 8th. Jamey Wright could throw off a mound sometime this week, as well.

An MRI on catching prospect Taylor Teagarden's right elbow showed no tear or structural damage. There's no timetable for his return to the field yet, but great news nonetheless.

The Rangers are aiming to limit left-hander Kasey Kiker and right-hander Fabio Castillo to just 120 total innings this season. The plan seems to be to increase their workload 20-25 innings a season to slowly build up their endurance. I can certainly see the club's reasons for caution, here: Kiker is only 19 years old, and Castillo is just 18. Both are working at extended spring training right now, and could be assigned to Class A Clinton before the end of the month.

Very nasty weather in the Metroplex last night, with 300,000 losing power as a result of the storm system. Winds in excess of 100 MPH hit some areas, but we got lucky here in Tyler, as the squall line had weakened before it hit us. The Rangers ended up sending fans into the underground tunnel in front of the locker rooms to shelter them from the approaching storms, which you can see pictures of here.

Unfortunately, there's still the threat of storms hitting the Metroplex during today's games as well. The weather system seems to be moving out of the area, but more storms could still spring up. Here's a radar capture as of 11:40 AM CST:

Hopefully, Texas can get both of these games in. Stay tuned for any updates.

Thursday, May 3rd Game 1 Preview

New York Yankees (10-14) at Texas Rangers (10-16)

Andy Pettitte (1-1, 3.00 ERA) vs. Mike Wood (0-0, 3.86 ERA)

2:35 PM CST in Arlington, Texas (Rangers Ballpark in Arlington)

TV: FSNSW | Radio: KRLD 1080 AM

Thursday, May 3rd Game 2 Preview

New York Yankees (10-14) at Texas Rangers (10-16)

Mike Mussina (0-1, 9.00 ERA) vs. Robinson Tejeda (3-1, 3.82 ERA)

7:05 PM CST in Arlington, Texas (Rangers Ballpark in Arlington)

TV: KDFI/My27 | Radio: KRLD 1080 AM

Comments

[horsedooty]

and we lose two more.





yo soy Horsedooty!