How Not To Start The World Series
Joey MatschulatThe night that had been virtually 40 years in the making started so well that, during a fleeting moment sometime in the second or third inning, the realization hit me that it was almost going too well. It couldn't really be this easy, could it? The Giants weren't really just going to roll over and die, were they? And, well, I got my answer(s). There are a lot of things the Rangers did not do at the accepted level of major league adequacy in this game, but any notion of San Francisco not "earning" this victory is pure folly. The bottom line is that the Giants outplayed the Rangers over nine innings, and were justly rewarded. So, now what?
I'd rehash Cliff Lee's entire ghastly outing pitch by pitch (4.2 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 0 HR), but I know nobody wants to read that, and I certainly don't want to write it. If he markedly rebounds in his scheduled Game 5 start and the Rangers rally to win the World Series, he will be gifted a mulligan and revered as though Game 1 never happened; if he doesn't, it will be characterized as the night where Lee's bewitchment over the Rangers' fan base was shattered and people began to realize just how fraught with risk a $150-160 million deal would really be. This is a discussion best preserved for the off-season, but it bears mentioning here, I think, as this jarring reminder of Lee's mortality continues to set in. He's actually human, after all.
Lee's ultimate downfall was hastened by factors beyond his control (seriously, four errors in a World Series game?), but I do think this start, miserable as it was, furnished two important lessons: (a) there is a major distinction to be made between merely throwing strikes and throwing quality strikes (or the dichotomy between control and command, if you want to look at it that way), and (b) this start is a good example of why one simply cannot render an honest pitching evaluation solely by examining strikeouts, walks, and home runs. Poor location begets hard-hit balls, and, well, Lee was soundly banged around. It happens, and it's why you have to view this stuff holistically.l
There were a few more unsavory reminders in Game 1, some admittedly being more visible than others, but I guess the one overarching cogent thought I formed -- well, formed sometime between the game going to hell and me blacking out -- was that this team played a very sloppy, uncoordinated brand of baseball that is not at all characteristic of this team's post-season M.O. Michael Young committed one of his classic acts of defensive butchery at the hot corner. Elvis Andrus botched a grounder. Vladimir Guerrero was an error-prone disaster in right field reminiscent of the Carlos Lee-in-Arlington days. Ian Kinsler mistakenly overran first base on a presumed infield hit and was then tagged out, thereby extinguishing any hope of a legitimate rally. We all know they're better than this, but this is a time for prompt self-correction more so than finding comfort in "knowledge"
Regarding the Guerrero problem specifically, Ron Washington indicated after Game 1 that he was planning to consign a starting outfield spot to Guerrero yet again in Game 2. Against a right-hander. In the outfield. At a challenging ballpark. In the outfield. It had been so long since I had intently watched Guerrero in right field that I had almost forgotten what it looked like, and I believe this fuzziness contributed to my apathy towards the Guerrero vs. Murphy argument in recent days -- but no more of that. This should end. It won't, but it should. I won't say that it cost the Rangers Game 1, but employing a suboptimal outfield defense and leaving your platoon-advantage card in the deck doesn't seem terribly conducive to maximizing your chances of winning Game 2.
But, hell, what do I know? What do any of us know, really? The usual platitudes about resiliency and fortitude remain applicable; twice this month the Rangers have found themselves in a difficult position (Game 5 of the ALDS, and Game 2 of the ALCS), and both times they recovered magnificently. There's no point in despairing, and even if you did it wouldn't really be fair to do so. They've earned at least that much of your blind faith. All we can really do is sit back, enjoy the ride for what it is, and perhaps direct a borrowed Ron Washington colloquialism towards the baseball team that simply will not die: "Get your head out [of] your butts, and let's play baseball tomorrow."
Reader Comments (60)
It's tough to believe the Rangers could play the worst/most deflating game in franchise history immediately after playing the greatest/most meaningful game in franchise history. Alas, they are in the World Series, which is so much more than any previous Rangers team. I suppose that's why the performance tonight hurt so much to see.
I agree that Vlad should be done playing in the outfield. He can play in games 3-5 and thats it. This is a good wake up for Texas that they cant ride on the shoulders of Lee the rest of the way. I still like our chances taking 1 of 2 in SF.
There were some mistakes made by the defense, but hey - if we're being fair - this one falls on the shoulders of ... gulp... Cliff Lee. He started shakily, and got worse as the game went on. Ultimately, he could not get outs, and then O'Day sealed the deal in the loss with that Uribe homer. But Lee was crappy - that's the game story, really.
Let's hope he can rebound and give TX a shutout in game 4 - otherwise TX is done. No chance of winning without Lee dominating.
This game was such a statistical outlier, we should regress towards the mean from here on out. Remember, we lost Game 1 against New York and bounced back nicely; we all knew Lee was human and would break at some point. No big deal, at least we saw some fight from the Rangers towards the end, unlike the Cowboys. My hope is that the Giants scored all their runs tonight...either way, we can't break their hearts unless they win at least one game, right?
I agree with you that this game is an outlier. The Rangers are resilient. Lost in the embarrassment was the fact that they hit SF's good pitching staff fairly well. If their own pitching and defense does not collapse, they win. They will play with much more urgency tomorrow. CJ is due for a big game and Matt Cain is due for a bad one. Rangers go back to Arlington tied, and then take 2-3 there. The Rangers are this good offensively and not this bad defensively. The Giants are not. This game was an aberration. This baby is going to game 7 (I hope I'm right, though Rangers in 6 is perfectly acceptable as well since it looks like we're probably not winning this thing in Tx.)
They absolutely have to win on Thursday. Absolutely positively definitely.
Meh. I didn't expect 11-7 but I expected a loss.
My "quirky" prediction on the Sunday Open Thread was Rangers in 6, Cliff Lee 0-2, everyone else 4-0. I stand by that. CJ wins more of a pitching duel tomorrow, Game 3 is a blowout with Sanchez knocked out early, Game 4 is a blowout, Game 5 sees Cliff bounce back but lose anyway as The Freak goes complete game/1 run, and Rangers close it out in Game 6 with Feliz on the bmp in a save situation.
And yes, no more Vlad in the OF.
I sure hope you're right Scooby Dude. It would be quite hilarious if the Rangers win the WS without a big win from Lee
That should read "Game 4 Rangers win a shootout" not "Game 4 is a blowout".
this team sucks :(
"this team sucks" Pure poetry. Who said that Shakesperian english was dead? I have hope for mankind.
The Giants can hit when they need to. Matt Cain is hittable but he's also a solid pitcher who's not flashy and doesn't make too many mistakes. Wilson's going to have to step it up tomorrow because San Fran's got the momentum, and their fans are into it right now. If the Rangers lose tomorrow, they're going to have a tough time making up the ground.
Did you guys really think Lee would NEVER lose a postseason game? Come on. The Giants beat the Phillies who have three great starters. Lee's problems were that Young commits an error and that runner scores. Vlad makes an error to allow an extra base. Young has a ball go just off the edge of his glove but he was rocking from side to side and got caught going the wrong way. Lee still walked ONE and struck out SEVEN in less than 5 innings so he was doing plenty right. He gave up one hard hit to left and a couple of hits up the middle but O'Day gave up the three run homer.
Speed, defense and pitching wins championships. Washington refuses to put his fastest players in the lineup and that means two of the three things that I mentioned suffer. San Francisco is the team that used 7 pitchers despite having leads of 8-2 and 11-4 so they didn't do so well either. Look at Lincecum's line...he sucked but got lucky with a hard hit double play ball directly to third and benefited from one big offensive inning.
Texas will be fine. I certainly didn't think they would win the first two on the road. What difference doesn't it make which one of the two games they win?
Guerrero made one giant mistake but at least four other players made some that were just as costly so get off his back. Looking at the full season, he had just as much to do with us being in this position as anyone. He'll contribute in his own way.
Remember....speed, defense and pitching. We must get more stolen bases and commit fewer errors to have a chance.
So, SportsCenter, Tim Kurijkandsjfiosdioadfidfahiuf and Buster Olney have all said that Vlad will play RF in Game 2.
Fu*k you Wash, you stupid fuc*ing moron. WASH: VLAD IS NOT COMING OUT OF A SLUMP. HE'S DONE. HE'S FUC*ING DONE. GIVE IT UP.
The Following from San Francisco Examiner: (Where have we heard this before?)
Maybe manager Ron Washington couldn't believe his eyes, either. His bullpen was empty until the Giants were ahead 3-2 on consecutive doubles by Andres Torres and Freddy Sanchez off the fading Lee. Not until Lee went to a full count on Pat Burrell did Darren O'Day sprint down the right-field line to the bullpen. Burrell walked and Cody Ross and Aubrey Huff hit RBI singles that made it 5-2.
Washington insisted he didn't have O'Day get up too late. He thought Lee would get through the trouble.
"He was still in control," he said.
With O'Day hardly having time to warm up, Juan Uribe homered on the side-armer's third pitch, sending it into the left-field bleachers for an 8-2 lead
Read more at the San Francisco Examiner: http://www.sfexaminer.com/sports/mlb/bumbles--fumbles-as-texas-falls-11-7-to-giants-105963418.html#ixzz13dO5wxkW
None of it mattered. The Rangers just 'Show-Up' w/ Lee pitching and collect that 'W.' Young and Guerrero's glove didn't slip-up either. Kinsler's base running or impatience w/bases loaded and one out didn't matter. It really does matter and it points to smart baseball or lack there of. Guerrero should have been replaced after A/B in 7th. Living in denial.
OR...It's just One Game and The Rangers weren't going to win them all anyway. We win tonight.....Or Don't Come Home! Just kidding. You always have a place in Arlington.
How about having umpteen jillion baserunners in the first and second innings and netting two runs? I'd say that cost us the game. We put up 5 by the bottom of the second, and it's over. You could afford to pitch Lee more cautiously and trust in your bullpen. Plus, there is a good chance that Lincecum would have been gone sooner, maybe that string of 13 or 14 straight that he got out doesn't happen.
We had runners on the corners twice, and the bases loaded with less than 2 out and failed to score in the first two innings. Can't let good pitchers have any breaks. Impatience in those situations killed us. Plus the two balls that richoceted off Lincecum would have actually driven in runs had his big lunk head not been in the way.
I think we will bounce back in game 2, but I think it's going to be high scoring both ways. CJ has got to step up big. The Giants don't look very good at all on paper offensively, but they damn sure didn't miss one single mistake pitch, and I would expect them to miss any more.
replica breitling|
As numerous reports say, substantial heeled sneakers lead to not just rapid complications, but also persistent sickness, such as knee osteoarthritis. You may perhaps not observe them correct now, yet they may be building to a serious sickness steadily together with turn out to be hard to deal with.
I love retrospect. It's like Baseball in your rearview mirror. How does one know?
Cliff Lee threw 13 pitches the 1st inning. He followed w/15 the 2nd. 28 pitches is real respectable.
The clue comes in the 3rd w/an additional 32 pitches. WHY? E-5 Young can't get the grounder to his Left. Then Lee hits Torrez on about pitch 13 of the 3rd followed by a Double just by Young's outstretched glove "To His Left." Young can't go left, coukldn't a SS Thats why he now plays 3rd..
The real problem appeared when Burrell Walked. After Uribe wore Lee out w/a 10 pitch AB. in the 4th.
75 oitches starting the 4th should have been a clue. Burrell should have been his last batter. He was gassed. But nobody came. No one noticed. They were too busy counting knotches on their belt with the "Big Guy" Pitching. Sometimes, discretion is the better part of Valor. i wonder who said that, first?
Maybe OGANDO should be the 1st reliever out of the Pen. He threw some smoke and K'd what, 6 of 8? Who the heck said Mark Lowe can pitch or is ready for WS Prime Time. Is that a Management decision? Or was it a throw in the towel decision. O'Day and Lowe. Is that bringing your best chance to win? If so, We Are in Big Trouble. Low looked like Holland in the ALDS. Are we training pitchers OJT Style? With decisions like this game there is going to have to be some soul searching. It was right there behind you all the time, In The Rear View Mirror.
I would think whatever disadvantage (in any) there would be by taking Vlad out of the lineup and having Cruz, Kins, Murph 4,5,6 would be well worth the significant upgrade by having Cruz in LF and Murphy in RF rather than Guerrero. And in fact, I think hitting the red hot Cruz behind Hamilton would give Josh some better pitches. Poor managing as far as this one goes.
Anyone want to rehash aprevious post of mine? Guess I am not so "compleelty dumb" after all.
"I wish Wash believed a little less in Vlad and a little more in Murphy when it comes to the starting line up at San Fran. I find this especially strange because Murphy has been with the team longer and has been the ultimate loyal fourth outfielder with no complaints. Loyalty is not being returned. Neither is common sense.
RF in San Fran is huge and Vlad has something like a minus 30 UZR. It would be astronomically better to put Murphy in LF and Cruz in RF as opposed to Cruz in LF and Vlad in RF.
Also, Murphy has out hit Vad in the post season and maybe even the back half of the regular season.
What is it with old vets and Wash?
I would think Vlad himself has to be embarrassed by his play last night. Michael Young has gotten into a real bad habit of leaning toward 3rd as the pitch comes in, so anything to his left is a problem. It was real apparent on the replay of the double in the 3rd inning (after he made his error) that he was moving toward 3rd again and then missed the line drive by 2 inches.
However, the truly most embarrassing aspect of the game was to watch the contrasting play at third base. Young only gets errors when he actually touches the ball. How many times did his limited range come into play? How much does poor defensive play impact the pitchers & catcher pitch selection? Gotta be a bunch.
IF Vlad is not resigned, the Face should move to DH next year. Won't happen, but it should.
I'm usually the first to bash Wash.
I do hate the excess faith he has in Vlad's bat, both keeping him ahead of Cruz in the lineup, and using him in the OF here to keep his bat in the lineup. Vlad definately has to go this offseason, because carrying a DH-only bat next year is not a good idea, and I think we see that he really is a DH-only.
I hate his lack of faith in Ogando. It's like he's made Ogando the mopup guy this postseason, instead of the Rock of the Setup Corps, like he should be.
But all in all, I don't really have a problem with Wash yesterday. With Cliff on the bump, I would have expected Vlad to survive RF. With Lincecum on the hill, I didn't mind seeing our best bats in the lineup. I didn't have a problem letting Cliff try to work though the 5th. And, after Feliz and Ogando, O'Day would be my next choice out of the pen, so I really can't fault him there. By the time Mark Lowe got in the game, it was all but over.
Wash didn't overrun 1B, Kinsler did. Wash can't do anything about his absurdly bad 3B situation. Ony JD can fix that, and frankly, with MY's contract, there's really very little JD can do to fix it either for another season or 2. Wash didn't hit into a double play with the bases loaded iin the 1st at the single most crucial juncture of the game.
And Wash certainly isn't the top-rated Ace pitcher who went out and couldn't locate any of his pitches, ultimately relegated to a pipe-it-and-hope-they-don't-hit-it philosophy of pitching.
We got some good bounces in the first couple of rounds. Kelly Shoppach throwing that ball into LF when he had Nellie dead-to-rights comes to mind. It evens out eventually.
Have faith. CJ and the boys will earn one back for us, we get the split in their place, come home, get 2-of-3, and go back to San Fran for 6 and 7 needing a split without having to face Lincecum.
Rangers in 6.
I'd still back up the Brinks Truck for Cliff Lee. He bailed us out in the ALDS, he was great (but un-needed) in the dominant ALCS by this team. The boys will bail him out in the World Series. But it's all made possible by Cliff's Game 5 in Tampa.
The problem is against a RHP is Vlad one of our best bats over Murphy? Its debatable at the best. And when you figure in that Vlad has to be superb with the bat while in the OF to break even he is most likely a net loss in the lineup any day he is in that OF. The fact that Kinsler had to run his but out into deep right and still beat Vlad to a play says all that needs to be said about Vlad's range, and the less we say about his bumbling down the 1b line the better.
O understand he has been part of the success of this team, but he has also been a part of the failures this team had in the second half. His bat just isn't good enough to support his glove any more.
Couple more thoughts.
On the first Sanchez double (broken bat bloop over Moreland's head), my wife, who is not a baseball fan but is generally a sports fan and knows what an athelete running should look like, said to me, "Oh! I think the RF just pulled a hamstring!" I had to inform her that it was merely the DH playing RF in the NL park. I think that says it all about Vlad in RF.
Second, I'd be willing to give away a prospect to anyone willing to take Michael Young and his contract this offseason, at this point. Something like MY and Robbie Ross for a career minor leaguer. Young's bat doesn't really translate to DH for me. Not nearly enough pop. And so he's become a man with a legitimate Big League bat, but not a position anywhere that justifies his bat. Maybe if he can't be moved look at him as a 4th OF next year.
Before anyone tells me how much loyalty we owe him, I'd like to point out that when he was first moved to 3B, he walked right up to the point of asking for a trade, and then didn't, so I don't buy any of that. Ship him out if possible.
Finally, I'm impressed with Mitch Moreland on an ongoing basis. THis kid is the Real Deal. I think his top-level ceiling is somewhere around "Mark Grace", which would represent the long term answer both to the 1B position, and the #2 hole in the lineup. Elvis/Moreland/Hamilton/Cruz/Kinsler/Murphy is a very nice 1-6 going forward long term. Especially with the DH hole still open for you to sign a value vet to fill.
Finally finally- does Blanco at 3B next season seem like a possible option? His bat was really solid this year, and his glove at that position would be stellar.
O'Day & Lowe were the the reasons the Rangers lost. Yeah, Lee had a rough outing but they eventually scored 7 runs.
I just wonder how different the game is if Young doesn't make two or three easy plays look terribly hard in the first two run inning. Up to that point Lee was scuffling a bit but was still effective.
This was a team melt down.
Bad decision to start Vald over th ebetter hitting and fielding Murph by Wash.
Unusually (as opposed to normal poor play) sloppy defensive play at 3B by Young.
Inablility to bring home more then token runs in the first two innings by the hitters.
Typical bullpen issues.
Lee is human and no human is worth $150m/6 or $175m/7; being saying so for some time now.
Frankly I turned the game off early and went to bed because they were just making me so mad I knew I 'd never get to sleep if I watched any more. The Rangers just were not ready to play last night and it showed early on. It happens.
Fortunately, I suspect that after last night's collective embarresment they will spring back to their credit and win tonight. San Fran looks very beatable if the Rangers play their normal game.
Go Rangers!
When did Michael Young get such lead feet? I know he was not the greatest defensive SS, but I don't recall seeing him lack mobility to this degree. I think the Rangers need a good glove at 3rd next year and Young can platoon all over - fill in at all the infield positions on occassion (plus he played outfield in college, so maybe he could play a little right and left too).
It goes without saying Vlad should never, ever, ever pick up a glove again. I have mixed feelings about his bat - he put up good numbers. I guess I would keep him at DH next year, but move him down to the 5 or 6 hole.
All I have gotten out of Giants fans is "nobody ever just says the Giants won, it's always we shot ourselves in the foot". Give me a break. Had your team played defense like ours yesterday, you would be screaming the same thing.
Perhaps they are just the better team. Their right fielder looked competent. Their third baseman made some hellacious plays, and hit the cover off the ball. There really isn't a whole lot you can say that the Rangers did yesterday well, other than make routine plays look nearly impossible and absolutely smoke balls directly at someone (Lincecum's leg included). Hell those two kick saves by Lincecum were the difference in two runs right there. Another destroyed ball the the SS was in the right spot for likely would have been 3 runs. Give Lee a 5 run lead and I think we see a little different outcome.
Also I hate Joe Buck.
Tough game to watch. I was looking forward to the double-down here - getting a Game 1 win (which bodes well statistically in recent years) and extending the Cliff Lee aura. Neither happened, so now it's on to the next objective: Get the split.
Not gonna let my confidence level waver until we get down by 2 games in this series. I had hoped to see Ranger superiority on the way to a 4-0 or 4-1 series win. Now, it's time to grind it out. If the Rangers can scratch out a 3-2 lead in this series, I will be more than happy with taking our chances in those final two games in SF. Just hope we can get to that point.
WELL, TELL Young he is the DH next year, period. There is no use signing Lee if we keep MY at 3rd.
Then TELL Wash if he wants Vlad so bad, he can be our hitting coach next year, because Hurdle will be managing somewhere, (wish it was here).
AND I retract that statement about elevating Wash to a MLB Quality manager.
When Lee left, my wife said, "Our hitters can make that up." My reply is that our bullpen would give up another 5 or 6 runs. When we have to use the bullpen for a long relief job, I've just got no confidence in them.
seeing what you saw last night in RF and doubling down is EXACTLY what will get us beat.
as I said before, STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES.
David Murphy is the classic get it done baseball player and is shown every disrespect possible by his PLAYERS MANAGER.... Lee wasn't his normal shutdown self last night, and thats when the managers decisions kill you. They have been covered up most of this year, they weren't last night.
I would hate to see Ryan, Daniels, and others having to overrule Wash because that sets up a bad precedent. What does it say that this would have to happen?
Rough. Gotta come on here and say I was wrong about Vlad in the outfield, I remember seeing him out there this year and just didn't realize the step he's lost.
Still, with CJ on the mound, we've got a great shot heading into Game 2 to grab back the momentum. This team is more than Cliff Lee, and now's the time to prove it. Let's go Rangers!
I just hope this means we get a discount when we sign Lee.
Only 9.5 hours or so until Elvis steps into the box for game 2...
Random thoughts...
- The World Series is no place for experiments...Vlad in RF...a recovering Lowe.
- Lee was hit HARD. Molina's glove was moving all over trying to keep up with Lee's lack of command. I don't recall a single curve ball for strikes.
- Defense was bad; atrocious...but that pressure came because the ball was screaming all over the park. No, "if Young had range" arguments, please. Line shots could easily be just out of range than just in it...barrell the ball and you have a pretty good chance of making good things happen.
- I love Ogando.
- Michael Young at DH? Not for me. Michael Young at 3B? Not for me. That's definitely a problem.
- Matt Cain is really good...winning tonight would definitely be "stealing one."
I can't believe we get to the WS and make complete fools of ourselves like this. I'm not talking about last nights game. I'm talking about a manager who, even after witnessing last nights boot fest, still thinks it's a good idea to put Vlad back out in that right field puzzle. Doubles anyone?
I hope that Vlad realizes that he doesn't belong in the outfield in games of this importance now and tells Wash to give him a rest. He will cost us another game if the chance rears it's head.
You put your 9 best players ON THE FIELD!!!!
I don't feel like tonight is a must win. I think this team is fully capable of taking all 3 at home. For some reason, I would feel better with Colby on the bump tonight but I think CJ will have a very strong game. I'm predicting 6 2/3, 5 hits, 2 ER, 6/3 K/BB. Just like I felt Lee was due for a mortal game, Cain is certainly due to remember that he's not Cy Young.
I think we take it 6-3, come home 1-1 and finish it in 5 or 6. We are still the better team regardless of 1 game. The best team doesn't always win the series but usually does so I still have total faith. We hit a bunch of balls on the screws last night that ended up as outs. Their batted balls fell in or were booted. Just an all around bad luck game. Yes Lee got knocked around but he was still in control until MY got him in trouble and he had to throw a bunch of pitches in the 3rd.
We are more than just Cliff Lee (how many games did he win against the Yankees? exactly.) Come out and do what we do. It's Time
"Michael Young at DH? Not for me. Michae Young at 3B? Not for me. That's definitely a problem"
I couldn't have said it better. With a pretty stacked OF and Young's contract, and the Rangers' budgetary limitations, and throw in the Feldman contract, this could be the iceberg that sinls the ship. Please find a way to mive MY, JD!
The answer for MY might be that he has the bat and glove to be a good corner OF. Too bad we don't have that spot open. Maybe someone would be willing to deal for him with that in mind.
But given his contract, I suspect he'd clear waivers this offseason if offered up for free. That's depressing.
Go Rangers!
Ogando really looks like a closer, doesn't he? That bodes well for our ability tomove Feliz to the rotation, I think.
Is there an overpaid catcher out there worth swapping MY for? That's the one major hole in the lineup next season. Can't think of the name, but maybe there is one.
I thought it was apparent right from the start that Lee was struggling with command of his pitches. Oh well. There's today, right?
It seemed small at the time and I'm sure they had their reasons, but Mark Lowe really didn't prove anything at the end of the season and he got rocked yesterday. I thought for sure that Nippert or Feldman would have been added to the roster instead of him, not that those two would have been saviors, but better than Lowe.
We don't have a rested righty in the bullpen tonight other than Feliz. Sure hope Wilson can keep the hounds at bay.
Ogando for closer....agreed.
Feliz to starter where he can use his great variety of pitches...absolutely.
Michael Young off 3B....heaven yes! The overweight Uribe moves at third like a defender should...makes MY look like he's standing in quicksand.
Vlad out of RF...yes, although he hasn't had nearly enough games in the outfield this year and too bad he's lost a step or two because he still has a great arm.
Lowe pitching in World Series...hell no. This guy's been in Arizona for weeks or what?
More Murphy and I say even more Borbon...both spark plugs for the offense by putting ball in play.
Moreland usually is team's best at working the count but he was too anxious last night. He's a keeper from what I've seen.
Remember folks that Superman is also Clark Kent...there were several games after July where Lee showed that he's just a normal guy but when the defense clicks behind him he can still go from really good to unbelievable. All streaks must come to an end and that's what happened last night. It's right to say the team wouldn't be where it is without his stellar games against Tampa and New York.
Games like the one last night test player's will and fan's faith, but BELIEVE and cherish the accomplishment of getting this far!
JD/NOLAN ...............
Vlad in RF again????
put wash on DL...
Hurdle can do it....
I don't care which beard is pitching for SF tonight the Rangers will score runs. I just hope we manage the game so we give our offense a chance to win this one.
"Evan Grant writes that, despite a very poor game in the field, Vladimir Guerrero will be back in right field again today."
IF this is true (and I pray it is not) either Wash has relasped into something very bad or his love for old vets has become a sick obsession. One does not F up the Rangers first WS this badly.
Welcome Clint Hurdle Texas Ranger manager 2011!
From an SF fan-
Really nice to go to the opposition's site and see reasonable discussion (vs the Philadelphia fans).
Gotta say, although my Giants won last night, it was a sloppy ballgame on both sides. And I'm still worried of the Texas hitters. We're used to tight ballgames, G-men typically get 4-5 hits. Last night was completely weird-like a lot of Giants games. No way we allow 7 runs and win another game, right?
Bengie came through-I can't believe he actually tagged and got home in time.
Game-on Texas. Worthy opponent, I can't believe this doesn't go 6-7 games.