Game of the Week: April 3: TEX @ OAK

[Commissioner Erick]

Texas Rangers (2-2) @ Oakland Athletics (2-2)


TEX: Mitch Keller (0-0, 0.00)
OAK: Norge Ruiz (0-0, 0.00)


The Texas Rangers and Oakland Athletics meet for the first time since their one-game playoff to determine the 2022 AL West winner. Each team has started 2023 2-2 with uneven performances against the bottom of the AL West. Texas' pitching and defense struggled against the Houston Astros, while Oakland's offense needed two extra Spring Training games to prepare for the Los Angeles Angels. The game will feature each club's fifth starter, and victory may determined who can help that pitcher the most. for Texas, their defense has committed the most errors in the AL, and they have the third worst Zone Rating. This seems like it could be a disaster for a pitcher in Mitch Keller who was done in by BABIP last season. Oakland, meanwhile, can help out Norge Ruiz with the hottest hitter in the league, Aristedes Aquino. Aquino cracked a double, triple, and three home runs with eight RBIs in the four games against Los Angeles. He even found time to steal a base. A longtime crusher of left-handed pitching, he'll have to wait until Texas goes to the bullpen to get a crack at one in Texas.


Questions for the GM's:


For Clayton Piper, your defense is off to a rough start. Will you change anything so far, or take a wait-and-see approach?

You have an untested infield with Tyler Krieger and Gregory Guerrero playing Second Base and Third Base. Why have those two earned starts?

Why the decision to have 14 pitchers on your club this early in the season?

For Creig McBride, Anthony Santander had a bit of a down year last year, and now it looks like he's splitting time with Ender Inciarte. Is this a result of Santandar's struggles last year?

You've played a man short over the first weekend. Will you add a player to your active roster for this series?

What would you say is the key to beating Texas?



TRIVIA: Texas currently leads the league in errors. Which team led the league in errors in 2022?

[Commissioner Erick]

Athletics 7 - Rangers 2


WP: N. Ruiz (1-0)
LP: M. Keller (0-1)


A 4-RBI performance from the 29-year old first baseman Matt Olson helped the Oakland Athletics beat the Texas Rangers, 7-2. Norge Ruiz earned the win to go to 1-0. He allowed 2 earned runs on 2 hits, with 2 walks and 4 strikeouts. Oakland, now 3-2, has gotten their season off to a good start.

Adam Haseley broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the sixth with a 3-run home run. It put the Athletics in front, 5-2. For the game, Haseley went 3-4 with a home run and 2 singles. He scored 2 runs and drove in 3.

"Winning the game is always the first objective," Haseley said.


Questions for the GM's:


For Clayton Piper, you had only three hits against Oakland's fifth starter. How do you feel about your offense early on?

Speaking of fifth starters, Mitch Keller allowed five runs in 5.1 innings. After a disappointing 2022, how long of a leash does he have?

Ryan O'Hearn's shown good power to start the year. He's extremely volatile, prone to extreme hot streaks, and bitter cold spells. Will he be in your lineup year round?

For Creig McBride, Norge Ruiz looked strong to start the year. He may be only your fifth starter, but do you feel his job is safe?

How does Adam Hasely look to you after missing most of last year?

Miguel Hiraldo went 0-3 in his debut. What are your expectations for him?


TRIVIA: In international play, Ender Inciarte has the most RBI's for the Venezuelan National Team, and Rougned Odor has the most Home Runs. Who has the most hits?

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA 1: New York Yankees

TRIVIA 2: Jose Altuve