Game of the Week: April 9: TOR @ TEX

[Commissioner Erick]

Toronto Blue Jays (2-1) @ Texas Rangers (0-3)

TOR: Dakota Hudson (0-0, 0.00)
TEX: Mike Stangeland (0-0, 0.00)


Blue Jays 3 Key Stats:

8: RBI’s for Cortez Castaneda: The 21-year-old rookie is tied for the league lead in RBIs along with Andrew Benintendi after the youngster had a pair of three-run home runs against the Yankees over the weekend.

.571: Gary Sanchez’ Batting Average: Sanchez isn’t slowing down with age. He has three straight All-Star nods and was the Platinum Stick winner at Catcher last year. Now 36, he terrorized the Yankees over the weekend with eight hits in 14 at bats, including a homer.

23: Runs scored by Toronto this year: They’re second in runs in the AL, and have played one fewer game than the first place White Sox. Unsurprisingly Castaneda and Sanchez’ starts have driven that success, but Joel Evans is hitting .333, Hector Jimenez is batting .364, and Juan Sorla had a huge Grand Slam that essentially allowed the team to win their opening game.


Rangers 3 Key Stats:

0: Home Runs by Texas this season. Long a franchise big on power, Texas’ offense struggled last year and has disappeared to start this one. Their sluggers were completely stymied in their series in Kansas City to begin the season.

.385: Raimfer Salinas’ Average: Texas’ offense sputtered in Kansas City, but Salinas’ bat didn’t. He had five hits in 13 at bats to start the season. Salinas is a Gold Glove-caliber Center Fielder, so when he hits well too, he’s an incredibly valuable player.

1.69: Texas’ bullpen ERA: Texas’ pen is off to a good start. Chris Cate has led the pen with 3.1 shutout innings and Ghi-Cheng Der has 2.1 shutout frames with five strikeouts. The unit may be a strength this year.


Questions for the GMs:


For Aaron Dunham, your infield has been out injured, requiring you to come up with a whole new unit to start the season. How have they looked?

Bobby O’Keefe doesn’t look like he’ll hit at the PBA level. Do you feel his defensive versatility fully makes up for that?

You have a new scout this year in John Siegel. Why did you select him as your scout?

For Dave Lowitzki, offense is really struggling early. Any changes you plan on making to get the unit going, or did you just run into a tough opponent in Kansas City?

It looks like you’re going with a six-man rotation to start. Why go with six pitchers instead of five?

You have a lot of Third Base options. Who will start at Third today and why?


TRIVIA: In 2026, Raimfer Salinas won a Gold Glove and Platinum Stick award as a Center Fielder. Before him, who was the last AL Center Fielder to accomplish the feat?

[torontogm]

your infield has been out injured, requiring you to come up with a whole new unit to start the season. How have they looked?

I mean it's just been three games. But they've been fine so far. I should be able to manage for a few weeks until guys come back from injury.

Bobby O’Keefe doesn’t look like he’ll hit at the PBA level. Do you feel his defensive versatility fully makes up for that?

O'Keefe is in the lineup mainly for his defense in case another infielder gets injured mid-way through the sim. Sure, maybe he'll never hit, but I think he can contribute positive value off the bench in his career.

You have a new scout this year in John Siegel. Why did you select him as your scout?

My last one retired. Ugh!

[daveltex]

It looks like you’re going with a six-man rotation to start. Why go with six pitchers instead of five?

Simple answer: I've got 6 guys I want to see start, so this is the best way to see what I've got with them. Hopefully it will also allow me to keep them all healthy (and maybe tradable).

You have a lot of Third Base options. Who will start at Third today and why?

For now, Abarca is going to be my everyday 3b. He's earned it based on his performance last season - almost 2 WAR, a .344 OBP, etc says he can be productive enough to play every day. I've also got 2 Rule 5 guys who are intriguing but also cannot be moved down. So I'm gonna' have to play with the combinations a bit. Cardona (who is currently playing 2b for me, which is not his best position) interests me a lot, but he's got some growth to do for sure.

[Commissioner Erick]

Rangers 10 - Blue Jays 1


WP: C. McCarthy (1-0)
LP: D. Hudson (0-1)


The home crowd had a good time watching the Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers get after it.

Francisco Mejia made an impact in the 10-1 Texas win over Toronto. Mejia, who finished 4th in the AL in batting average with .313 in 2019, was 4-5 with 4 singles, while adding 2 RBI and scoring once. Texas reliever Charles McCarthy picked up the win to move to 1-0. Dakota Hudson suffered the loss.

In the top of the eighth, Toronto were in rally mode. The score was 10-1, Texas, with one out and the bases loaded. But on a 1-0 pitch, Cortez Castaneda popped out.

Texas has a record of 1-3.


Questions for the GMs:


For Aaron Dunham, rough game, especially considering how Teas struggled against Kansas City. Are you concerned the heart of your order was so weak today?

Cortez Castaneda has shown big power early, but after an 0-4 day, is now hitting .176. What are your thoughts on the youngster's performance thus far?

Dakota Hudson gave up 9 hits. How much of that is on him and how much of that is the defense?

For Dave Lowitzki, young Charles McCarthy came out of the pen and got the win. What did you like from the Rule-V guy?

Cruz Camargo got on base with a hit and waked twice. How was he able to have such a good game?

Three successful steals in four attempts. Do you want to be aggressive on the bases, or was that more of an opportunity thing?


TRIVIA: Who is the only player to be in the Top 3 in most career Rangers Home Runs and Rangers Stolen Bases?

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA: Daniel correctly guessed Wessel Russchen

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA 2: Ben correctly guessed Paul Goldschmidt