Post by Commissioner Erick on Jan 13, 2022 20:02:55 GMT -5
Texas Rangers (35-28) @ Boston Red Sox (45-22)
TEX: Mike Stangeland (4-4, 5.45)
BOS: Pat Strand (1-3, 3.69)
Rangers 5 Key Stats
0: Starts for Noah Syndergaard: Syndergaard hds pitched entirely in relief this year. In 22 games, Thor had a 2.61 ERA, but only 0.1 WAR. He tore his labrum last week and will miss the rest of the season, but he may be entering a new phase of his career.
5.36: Texas’ starter’s ERA. With Thor hurt; Marcus Stroman, Robert Stephenson, and Kyle Hendricks elsewhere; and Esteban Valdez struggling, the Rangers have morphed from a dominant pitching team, to one of the lesser pitching clubs in the league.
.377: Ozzie Albies’ average. Albies is second in the league in batting average, having an amazing season. Albies only has three career seasons hitting below .295, but has upped his game to another level. He already has 3.5 WAR, third in the league.
.197: Jurrickson Profar’s average. After a .285 rebound season in 2026, Profar is struggling mightily. A decent walk rate and strong defense has given Profar a positive WAR, but he’s really struggled this year.
18: Carlos Correa’s RBI total in his last 14 games. Correa has been red hot against a pretty tough schedule the last two weeks. Texas will need him to continue to play well if they want to upset the Red Sox.
Red Sox 5 Key Stats
.822: Luis Villareal’s OPS. Villareal is hitting .243, but a strong walk rate has him with a healthy .365 on-base percentage, and some extra base hits give him a .457 slugging mark. He’s been a part-time player this year, but will have more responsibilities in the wake of Juan Inzunza’s shoulder strain.
4: Home Runs allowed by Pat Strand this year. Strand has a 3.69 ERA this year, helped by a strong 0.9 HR/9 rate. Texas gets hits, but if Strand can limit the home runs, Boston will have a good shot at winning this game.
18: Home Runs by Joe Taylor. Taylor is fifth in the league in home runs, morphing into a superstar. He’s already eclipsed his career high in home runs, and his 22 doubles lead the league. Taylor’s stolen three bases and has a solid .283 average. Boston promoted Taylor aggressively in the past, and now has an All-Star on their hands.
2.87: Boston’s bullpen ERA, best in the AL. Stee Hartman has a 1.97 ERA and 18 Saves, but Bobby Mendez and Juan Alaniz have been strong setup men, and Derrick Heins has been stellar in middle relief. Texas has a good pen, but Boston may have the edge in a late contest.
1: Home Runs by Keibert Ruiz. Ruiz has never been a huge power bat, but his .354 slugging number would be the third lowest of his career. Ruiz has been decent defensively though, which considering the rest of Boston’s lineup, is more important to the Red Sox.
Questions for the GMs:
For Michael Conches, what do you think of first round draft pick Curtis McDowell?
You have three injured pitchers. Will you make any moves to replace them?
Does Mike Stangeland have the stuff to succeed as a starter in the PBA?
For Mike Ball, Juan Inzunza will be out for a month. Who will replace him in the lineup?
You moved Phil Cabrera out of the bullpen and into the rotation. Why did you make that move?
You didn’t have early picks in the draft due to signing some comp free agents. How do you feel about the picks you were able to make?
TRIVIA: Who is the last non-Ranger to win an AL Cy Young?
TEX: Mike Stangeland (4-4, 5.45)
BOS: Pat Strand (1-3, 3.69)
Rangers 5 Key Stats
0: Starts for Noah Syndergaard: Syndergaard hds pitched entirely in relief this year. In 22 games, Thor had a 2.61 ERA, but only 0.1 WAR. He tore his labrum last week and will miss the rest of the season, but he may be entering a new phase of his career.
5.36: Texas’ starter’s ERA. With Thor hurt; Marcus Stroman, Robert Stephenson, and Kyle Hendricks elsewhere; and Esteban Valdez struggling, the Rangers have morphed from a dominant pitching team, to one of the lesser pitching clubs in the league.
.377: Ozzie Albies’ average. Albies is second in the league in batting average, having an amazing season. Albies only has three career seasons hitting below .295, but has upped his game to another level. He already has 3.5 WAR, third in the league.
.197: Jurrickson Profar’s average. After a .285 rebound season in 2026, Profar is struggling mightily. A decent walk rate and strong defense has given Profar a positive WAR, but he’s really struggled this year.
18: Carlos Correa’s RBI total in his last 14 games. Correa has been red hot against a pretty tough schedule the last two weeks. Texas will need him to continue to play well if they want to upset the Red Sox.
Red Sox 5 Key Stats
.822: Luis Villareal’s OPS. Villareal is hitting .243, but a strong walk rate has him with a healthy .365 on-base percentage, and some extra base hits give him a .457 slugging mark. He’s been a part-time player this year, but will have more responsibilities in the wake of Juan Inzunza’s shoulder strain.
4: Home Runs allowed by Pat Strand this year. Strand has a 3.69 ERA this year, helped by a strong 0.9 HR/9 rate. Texas gets hits, but if Strand can limit the home runs, Boston will have a good shot at winning this game.
18: Home Runs by Joe Taylor. Taylor is fifth in the league in home runs, morphing into a superstar. He’s already eclipsed his career high in home runs, and his 22 doubles lead the league. Taylor’s stolen three bases and has a solid .283 average. Boston promoted Taylor aggressively in the past, and now has an All-Star on their hands.
2.87: Boston’s bullpen ERA, best in the AL. Stee Hartman has a 1.97 ERA and 18 Saves, but Bobby Mendez and Juan Alaniz have been strong setup men, and Derrick Heins has been stellar in middle relief. Texas has a good pen, but Boston may have the edge in a late contest.
1: Home Runs by Keibert Ruiz. Ruiz has never been a huge power bat, but his .354 slugging number would be the third lowest of his career. Ruiz has been decent defensively though, which considering the rest of Boston’s lineup, is more important to the Red Sox.
Questions for the GMs:
For Michael Conches, what do you think of first round draft pick Curtis McDowell?
You have three injured pitchers. Will you make any moves to replace them?
Does Mike Stangeland have the stuff to succeed as a starter in the PBA?
For Mike Ball, Juan Inzunza will be out for a month. Who will replace him in the lineup?
You moved Phil Cabrera out of the bullpen and into the rotation. Why did you make that move?
You didn’t have early picks in the draft due to signing some comp free agents. How do you feel about the picks you were able to make?
TRIVIA: Who is the last non-Ranger to win an AL Cy Young?
