Post by Commissioner Erick on Feb 3, 2021 23:28:19 GMT -5
Toronto Blue Jays (19-21) @ Texas Rangers (19-21)
TOR: T.J. Zeuch (3-3, 2.42)
TEX: Marcus Stroman (4-2, 2.85)
The Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers were two of the best teams in baseball in 2024. Each team is 19-21 in 2025.
The two struggling teams will face try to turn their seasons around when the Blue Jays and Rangers face off for the Game of the Week.
The Rangers have disappointed this season despite some strong offensive metrics. The team is fifth in home runs, fourth in average, third in OPS, and fourth in steals. Despite that, Texas is only ninth in runs scored.
Carlos Correa and Trent Clark are each hitting well, with Correa blasting .315 with 15 home runs, and Clark hitting .294 with 14 bombs. Nick Gordon is hitting over .300, and Francisco Mejia, Raimfer Salinas, and Rougned Odor each have at least seven home runs. Nonetheless, Texas has still had problems bringing runners home.
Part of the problem is that Texas is fifth from the bottom in OPS with runners in scoring position. The club has the best OPS with the bases empty, but has struggled when men get to second and third. As a result of sequencing, that’s kept Texas from getting runners home despite people getting on base and hitting solo or two-run home runs.
There’s also the curious case of Paul Goldschmidt. Goldy has played in every game this year, and has a solid OBP over .400. However, Goldschmidt has just one home run and six RBIs this year. Goldschmidt is hitting just .222 with men in scoring position and .227 with a man on first. He’s batting .287 with the bases empty. As a result, of his low averages with men on base, his run production numbers are preposterously low and indicative of the larger struggles of the Rangers.
Texas won’t have an easy time breaking out of their struggles with T.J. Zeuch on the hill for Toronto. Zeuch is fourth in the AL in ERA, having a fantastic season after two relatively down years. Zeuch isn’t striking anyone out as he’s fanned only 34 hitters in 52 innings. Instead, Zeuch has continued to never walk anyone—his 1.4 walks per nine would be his fourth straight season with a mark under 2—and he’s sliced his home run rate. He had a 3.8% rate in 2024 and a 4.0% in 2023, and it’s just 1.0% this year.
Toronto will look to get Gary Sanchez going, as the slugger has struggled all year. After a hot start, Sanchez is now batting .171 with only four home runs. Sanchez was playing every day to start the year and likely needed more rest. With a less grueling schedule, he’s hit .323 in May. If he turns things around, Toronto should turn its season around.
Questions for the GMs:
For Mike Leitao, after a brutal start, Gary Sanchez has hit better this month. Are you satisfied with his recent performance?
How has Michael Kopech been his first season as full-time closer?
Federico Pando jumped out to a hot start, but has really struggled, not having a multi-hit game since April 8. Do you have any notions of replacing him from the lineup?
For Clayton Piper, with Nick Gordon suffering a hip strain, who will play Third Base today?
With Kyle Lewis suffering a strained oblique, who will play Left Field today?
Esteban Valadez has struggled as a starter this year causing you to put him in the bullpen. Will he be your closer the rest of the year?
TRIVIA: Which two players have the most Home Runs among Center Fielders in World Baseball Classic history?
TOR: T.J. Zeuch (3-3, 2.42)
TEX: Marcus Stroman (4-2, 2.85)
The Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers were two of the best teams in baseball in 2024. Each team is 19-21 in 2025.
The two struggling teams will face try to turn their seasons around when the Blue Jays and Rangers face off for the Game of the Week.
The Rangers have disappointed this season despite some strong offensive metrics. The team is fifth in home runs, fourth in average, third in OPS, and fourth in steals. Despite that, Texas is only ninth in runs scored.
Carlos Correa and Trent Clark are each hitting well, with Correa blasting .315 with 15 home runs, and Clark hitting .294 with 14 bombs. Nick Gordon is hitting over .300, and Francisco Mejia, Raimfer Salinas, and Rougned Odor each have at least seven home runs. Nonetheless, Texas has still had problems bringing runners home.
Part of the problem is that Texas is fifth from the bottom in OPS with runners in scoring position. The club has the best OPS with the bases empty, but has struggled when men get to second and third. As a result of sequencing, that’s kept Texas from getting runners home despite people getting on base and hitting solo or two-run home runs.
There’s also the curious case of Paul Goldschmidt. Goldy has played in every game this year, and has a solid OBP over .400. However, Goldschmidt has just one home run and six RBIs this year. Goldschmidt is hitting just .222 with men in scoring position and .227 with a man on first. He’s batting .287 with the bases empty. As a result, of his low averages with men on base, his run production numbers are preposterously low and indicative of the larger struggles of the Rangers.
Texas won’t have an easy time breaking out of their struggles with T.J. Zeuch on the hill for Toronto. Zeuch is fourth in the AL in ERA, having a fantastic season after two relatively down years. Zeuch isn’t striking anyone out as he’s fanned only 34 hitters in 52 innings. Instead, Zeuch has continued to never walk anyone—his 1.4 walks per nine would be his fourth straight season with a mark under 2—and he’s sliced his home run rate. He had a 3.8% rate in 2024 and a 4.0% in 2023, and it’s just 1.0% this year.
Toronto will look to get Gary Sanchez going, as the slugger has struggled all year. After a hot start, Sanchez is now batting .171 with only four home runs. Sanchez was playing every day to start the year and likely needed more rest. With a less grueling schedule, he’s hit .323 in May. If he turns things around, Toronto should turn its season around.
Questions for the GMs:
For Mike Leitao, after a brutal start, Gary Sanchez has hit better this month. Are you satisfied with his recent performance?
How has Michael Kopech been his first season as full-time closer?
Federico Pando jumped out to a hot start, but has really struggled, not having a multi-hit game since April 8. Do you have any notions of replacing him from the lineup?
For Clayton Piper, with Nick Gordon suffering a hip strain, who will play Third Base today?
With Kyle Lewis suffering a strained oblique, who will play Left Field today?
Esteban Valadez has struggled as a starter this year causing you to put him in the bullpen. Will he be your closer the rest of the year?
TRIVIA: Which two players have the most Home Runs among Center Fielders in World Baseball Classic history?