The MLB Thread

[Martini4me]

That was a great game, and he's a pretty great player. Still, I'd want to exercise caution. Between being an alcoholic and being injury-prone, there's a significant risk that the team that signs him doesn't get everything they're hoping for. One wouldn't want to be on the hook for a lot of long-term money.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/jo...ld-be-cautious

[shtexas]

That was a great game, and he's a pretty great player. Still, I'd want to exercise caution. Between being an alcoholic and being injury-prone, there's a significant risk that the team that signs him doesn't get everything they're hoping for. One wouldn't want to be on the hook for a lot of long-term money.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/jo...ld-be-cautious

If a $200 million contract is what he wants, he's welcome to leave. Rangers will not pay that. And they shouldn't.

I think the addiction problem will be more severe outside the Rangers cocoon. He has a very stable, nurturing environment here, and yet he has still had two setbacks. So, good luck to any team willing to pay him that kind of money.

[shtexas]

Barring a rain-out, tonight is the big pitching match-up:

The one we chose not to spend money on vs. the one we spent the money on instead.

Otherwise known as - C.J. Wilson versus Yu Darvish.

[Martini4me]

Kind of a fizzle on the pitching matchup. Wilson was shaky to start (four of the first five batters reached base and scored), and only pitched a third of an inning because of a two hour rain delay. So he'll start again today? Wonder who the last pitcher was to start two games in a row (not counting over the all-star break, or after a long break like starting the season in Japan). Probably Wilbur Wood?

Meanwhile, Josh Hamilton hit two more homers. That's eight on the week so far, with the weekend still to come.

[Ti-Amie]

Mayhem in Queens as Johan Santana pitches the NY Mets first ever no hitter.

[waylandboy-tw]

Mayhem in Queens as Johan Santana pitches the NY Mets first ever no hitter.

I saw it on MLB network and very happy for Johan after having arm surgery. Pretty hard to believe it took the franchise this long with all the great pitchers they've had through the years.

[Kirkus]

Nice! I like this kind of news.

[Martini4me]

The pitiful Texas Rangers were almost the victims of another no-hitter tonight. Jarrod Parker had allowed no hits through seven innings, but Michael Young just singled up the middle to lead off the eighth. The A's manager is probably relieved: Parker had thrown 107 inning over the first seven innings, and you really don't want a 23-year old rookie throwing 125-130 pitches, if that's what it was going to take. (He actually got through the eighth inning in four pitches. After the single, Parker got a popout and a double play grounder on the next two pitches). Oakland is leading 10-0, after scoring eight runs against the Rangers' sixth starter, Scott Feldman, in the second inning.

[Kirkus]

Pitiful Texas Rangers? Pitiful? LOL.

Second best record in the league at the moment.

Just sayin'.

[shtexas]

Yep. Just a bad night. Feldman is stinking it up. That's why we signed Roy Oswalt. Don't know what he has left, but he was still good last year.

[Martini4me]

Pitiful Texas Rangers? Pitiful? LOL.

Second best record in the league at the moment.

Just sayin'.

I know. I was just trying to get a rise out of shtexas. However, I've been meaning to point out that after a 15-4 start, they've been just 17-19 since. Where they'd had easily the best record in the league in late April, they're now just half a game ahead of Tampa Bay and the White Sox (?), and a few other teams are just behind. But their run differential (and, frankly, their lineup) suggest they're still the best team in the leaugue.

[Kirkus]

I know. I was just trying to get a rise out of shtexas. However, I've been meaning to point out that after a 15-4 start, they've been just 17-19 since. Where they'd had easily the best record in the league in late April, they're now just half a game ahead of Tampa Bay and the White Sox (?), and a few other teams are just behind. But their run differential (and, frankly, their lineup) suggest they're still the best team in the leaugue.

At least you're honest.

::

I've been watching my Dodgers start to come back down to earth a little also.

[shtexas]

I know. I was just trying to get a rise out of shtexas. However, I've been meaning to point out that after a 15-4 start, they've been just 17-19 since. Where they'd had easily the best record in the league in late April, they're now just half a game ahead of Tampa Bay and the White Sox (?), and a few other teams are just behind. But their run differential (and, frankly, their lineup) suggest they're still the best team in the leaugue.

And you succeeded. But, I'm over it.

Everyone forgets that last year, the Rangers were at one point 43-39 before we went on a 53-27 tear. The year before, we also got better later. We make adjustments and trades and signings to handle any weaknesses. That's why I love the GM and Nolan.

[Martini4me]

Yu Darvish allowed six runs on six hits and six walks over 5 1/3 innings last night, while striking out four. (That line brings back memories of Bobby Witt in the late 1980's, who did that in just about every start he made, except with a couple more strikeouts). After earning an ERA of 2.60 in his first eight starts, Darvish has totalled less than 21 innings over his last four starts, allowing 23 hits and 18 walks.

Perhaps ominously, those last four starts, against Seattle, Toronto, Los Angeles and Oakland, were the second time he's faced each of those teams. Perhaps teams are catching on to him the second time around? None of those four are great offensive teams either--all are among the bottom five in the league in on-bae percentage.

[Scotty]

Fun night!

Had USTA team practice with 3 good sets of doubles. Then some teammates and I went up to the bar for a pitcher and snacks, and watched the final 2 innings of what ended up to be Matt Cain's perfect game for the SF Giants.
We weren't where we could hear the TV well, and I thought he was just going for a complete game/shutout.