Game of the Week: July 17: TEX @ TOR

[brewersgm]

Texas Rangers (57-33) @ Toronto Blue Jays (45-44)

TEX: Esteban Valadez (8-4, 3.14 ERA)
TOR: T.J. Zeuch (8-4, 3.68)


Rangers 5 Key Stats


1: The Rangers ranks in both runs scored and batting average in the PBA. They are an offensive juggernaut.

+181: The Rangers run differential, the best in the PBA.

14 and 1: The Rangers pitching staff's rank in strikeouts and least home runs allowed in the AL. Despite having such a low strikeout total they have the best ERA in the AL. This is in park thanks to their ability to the keep the ball in the park better than anyone else. This is especially impressive considering Globe Life Park is a major hitters park.

35.06: The Rangers WAR total as a team, the best in the AL. Nick Pratto, Robert Stephenson, Nomar Mazara, Freddie Freeman, and Mark Appel account for around 25% of this WAR, and all were added to the team over the off season.

0.357: Francisco "La Cabra" Mejia's batting average this season, the best in the PBA. After a few down years by his standards Meijia has bounced back with his bat this year. He already has nearly the same WAR that he had over all of 2025.

Blue Jays 5 Key Stats


732: Hits allowed by the Blue Jays pitching staff this season, the Blue Jays are currently the hardest team to get a hit against in the AL.

5.5:  Eric "Rattlesnake" Drouet's strikeout percentage this year. Droet has only struck out 15 times over 271 Plate Appearances, and he is striking out at a slightly higher rate than his career average

5: The Blue Jays rank in payroll. Despite being one of the league's highest spenders the Blue Jays are only one game over 500 this season.

91: Jahmai Jones OPS+ this season, his lowest since 2021. Jones had back to back 6 WAR seasons in 2023 and 2024 but has put up only 2.9 WAR since then. Only 28 and signed for at least 2 more seasons the Blue Jays have to hope he can return to his prior form.

19: Gary Sanchez's home run total, which leads the team. Like Meijia, Sanchez has bounced back from a down year and is having a resurgent season.

Questions for the GMs:

For Clayton Piper, Esteban Valadez has been exceptional this year despite his change up still being a work in progress. Do you think he can continue to be effective even if he doesn't develop that third pitch all the way?

You have been in the league a very long time and been the GM for a lot of very good teams. Would you say this Rangers team is the best one you've put together?

Jurickson Profar hadn't been an effective starter since 2022, however he's having a great season this year. What made you target him in Rule V?

For Ben Smaller, you recently waived both SP German Marquez and 3B Kole Enright. Both of them are on long contracts with several years remaining. Marquez has cleared waivers and Enright looks close to doing the same. What is your plan about what do with these players?

J.B. Woodman was a free agent for a long time, before you signed him recently. Do you find it surprising he was a free agent for so long considering he is coming off a 5 WAR season last year? What are your plans for how to incorporate him into your team?

You have the 2nd best run differential in the AL East, yet sit in 4th place. Are you confident that the team will be able to bounce back and compete for the division over the 2nd half of the season or do you envision being a seller at the trade deadline?

TRIVIA: Who is the highest drafted player in the amateur draft to be lost via the Rule V Draft?

[brewersgm]

Erick correctly guessed Mike Fitzgerald. Ben should also get a point for guessing Sergio Ochoa. He was once picked 1.1 although he did not sign.

[brewersgm]

Rangers 6 - Blue Jays 0

WP: E. Valadez (9-4)

LP: T. Zeuch (8-5)

The Texas Rangers downed the Toronto Blue Jays, 6-0, at Rogers Centre. Raimfer Salinas led the way, going 2-for-4 for Texas. With the victory, the Rangers upped their record to 58-33.

In the top of the second of a scoreless game, Salinas hit a 3-run home run to put his team ahead.

"We take it day by day here," said Salinas, "and today was a good one for us."

Questions for the GMs:

For Clayton Piper, this was your teams 8th shutout of the year, good for 2nd in the AL. What allows your pitchers to pitch so effectively in such an extreme hitters park?

Raimfer Salinas is having a career year, yet only bats 8th in your lineup. Have you considered moving him further up the lineup?

Will you name your first born child Raimfer?

For Ben Smaller, How disappointing was it for your team to be shut out in the game of the week? Do you take solace in that most of Canada was watching hockey instead?

How many Burgers does Jake Burger eat in a typical week?

If you are a seller at the deadline, then who do you envision being on the block?

TRIVIA:

The Blue Jays have won 100 games all time against every team in their division save one. Which team is it?

[Commissioner Erick]

Trivia 1: Ben and I correctly guessed Sergio Ochoa and Mike Fitzgerald.

Trivia 2: Tim correctly guessed the Orioles