Post by Commissioner Erick on Feb 3, 2022 21:48:26 GMT -5
Texas Rangers (52-47) @ Seattle Mariners (64-37)
TEX: Shimei Chiba (6-8, 5.59)
SEA: Jeifry Nunez (4-4, 5.40)
Mariners 5 Key Stats:
12: Wins in 16 games. Unlike Texas, Seattle is playing great baseball, closing the first half with a flurry and playing great to begin the second. They’ve allowed more than four runs just twice during the stretch, getting great pitching to fuel their run.
.227: Wilmer Flores’ average in July. Seattle is playing great, but Flores hasn’t been a major part of that. He only has two home runs in the month, and his 15 strikeouts are tied for the most in a month already. If he stays cold, it will give Texas more of a chance to win.
1: The number of times Jeifry Nunez has pitched more than 6 innings this year. Seattle has the second best bullpen in the AL and they’ll be tested with Nunez getting the start.
2: Saves in two chances for Anyelo Luna. Despite a strong season from Cowboy Lorenzen, Luna has taken over Lorenzen’s job in the second half as closer. Both have been great, but Luna has done a better job at finishing off hitters with 62 strikeouts in 49 innings.
.277: Lucius Fox’ best batting average in a season before this year. Fox had traditionally been a stellar defender with no power and an average that topped in the .270s. He’s hit .302 this year, making him much more of a weapon at the plate to complement his speed and defense.
Rangers 5 Key Stats:
7: Losses in 9 Games for Texas in the second half. Texas had a chance to make up ground against Seattle in the AL West, or at least take charge in the Wild Card with an easy slate to begin the second half of the season. However, they dropped three of four from Houston to begin the second half, split a two game series, then got swept in Houston over the weekend. Instead of this week’s series shaping up as a big AL West clash, Texas is firmly playing for a Wild Card.
.403: Carlos Correa’s slugging percentage. Texas’ offense has taken a step back and Correa’s lack of power has been a big reason why. After leading the league in doubles last year with 47, Correa has clubbed just 16 thus far. He smashed 32 home runs last year—and 51 two seasons ago—but has only 12 so far. Texas will need him to pick up the power to make a playoff run.
5.88: Shimei Chiba’s ERA as a starter. Chiba’s done a good job avoiding the long ball this year—an impressive task pitching in Globe Life Field—but he doesn’t have great command and is still learning sequencing. The rookie has won three of his four July starts though, and may be turning a corner.
.257: Nomar Mazara’s average. Mazara’s average this year is the lowest of his career aside from his rookie year in 2017. He showed last year that he can still be an effective player without home run power as he made up for the second lowest home run mark of his career with the most doubles and most triples of his career. However, this year the home runs are still down from his career norms, the doubles have normalized, and his average is way down. Texas needs him to play well today to win.
.369: Texas’ winning percentage on the road. The Rangers have been a strong home team, but have struggled mightily on the road. They’re 2-4 in Seattle this year, and will need to change their tune to avoid making it 2-5.
Questions for the GMs:
For Dave Lowitzki, Anthony Rendon has struggled over the second half. Jurrickson Profar will be healthy soon, but has struggled. You claimed Edison Renteria on waivers. The Trade Deadline is approaching. Who will be your Third Baseman today and down the stretch?
What’s your thinking with going with Alex Caludio as an Opener?
What have you thought about Shimei Chiba this year?
For Nick Barron, Brian C. Miller is a little dinged up. Will he go on the IL?
Jeifry Nunez hasn’t pitched deep into games at all. Is that an issue with your manager bot or with Nunez?
Why make the move to swap closers and have Luna close games?
TRIVIA: Carlos Correa has the second most hits in his career off Jeifry Nunez. Who does he have the most hits against?
TEX: Shimei Chiba (6-8, 5.59)
SEA: Jeifry Nunez (4-4, 5.40)
Mariners 5 Key Stats:
12: Wins in 16 games. Unlike Texas, Seattle is playing great baseball, closing the first half with a flurry and playing great to begin the second. They’ve allowed more than four runs just twice during the stretch, getting great pitching to fuel their run.
.227: Wilmer Flores’ average in July. Seattle is playing great, but Flores hasn’t been a major part of that. He only has two home runs in the month, and his 15 strikeouts are tied for the most in a month already. If he stays cold, it will give Texas more of a chance to win.
1: The number of times Jeifry Nunez has pitched more than 6 innings this year. Seattle has the second best bullpen in the AL and they’ll be tested with Nunez getting the start.
2: Saves in two chances for Anyelo Luna. Despite a strong season from Cowboy Lorenzen, Luna has taken over Lorenzen’s job in the second half as closer. Both have been great, but Luna has done a better job at finishing off hitters with 62 strikeouts in 49 innings.
.277: Lucius Fox’ best batting average in a season before this year. Fox had traditionally been a stellar defender with no power and an average that topped in the .270s. He’s hit .302 this year, making him much more of a weapon at the plate to complement his speed and defense.
Rangers 5 Key Stats:
7: Losses in 9 Games for Texas in the second half. Texas had a chance to make up ground against Seattle in the AL West, or at least take charge in the Wild Card with an easy slate to begin the second half of the season. However, they dropped three of four from Houston to begin the second half, split a two game series, then got swept in Houston over the weekend. Instead of this week’s series shaping up as a big AL West clash, Texas is firmly playing for a Wild Card.
.403: Carlos Correa’s slugging percentage. Texas’ offense has taken a step back and Correa’s lack of power has been a big reason why. After leading the league in doubles last year with 47, Correa has clubbed just 16 thus far. He smashed 32 home runs last year—and 51 two seasons ago—but has only 12 so far. Texas will need him to pick up the power to make a playoff run.
5.88: Shimei Chiba’s ERA as a starter. Chiba’s done a good job avoiding the long ball this year—an impressive task pitching in Globe Life Field—but he doesn’t have great command and is still learning sequencing. The rookie has won three of his four July starts though, and may be turning a corner.
.257: Nomar Mazara’s average. Mazara’s average this year is the lowest of his career aside from his rookie year in 2017. He showed last year that he can still be an effective player without home run power as he made up for the second lowest home run mark of his career with the most doubles and most triples of his career. However, this year the home runs are still down from his career norms, the doubles have normalized, and his average is way down. Texas needs him to play well today to win.
.369: Texas’ winning percentage on the road. The Rangers have been a strong home team, but have struggled mightily on the road. They’re 2-4 in Seattle this year, and will need to change their tune to avoid making it 2-5.
Questions for the GMs:
For Dave Lowitzki, Anthony Rendon has struggled over the second half. Jurrickson Profar will be healthy soon, but has struggled. You claimed Edison Renteria on waivers. The Trade Deadline is approaching. Who will be your Third Baseman today and down the stretch?
What’s your thinking with going with Alex Caludio as an Opener?
What have you thought about Shimei Chiba this year?
For Nick Barron, Brian C. Miller is a little dinged up. Will he go on the IL?
Jeifry Nunez hasn’t pitched deep into games at all. Is that an issue with your manager bot or with Nunez?
Why make the move to swap closers and have Luna close games?
TRIVIA: Carlos Correa has the second most hits in his career off Jeifry Nunez. Who does he have the most hits against?
