Post by Commissioner Erick on May 13, 2023 12:29:13 GMT -5
Texas Rangers (38-26) @ Boston Red Sox (38-29)
TEX: Mike Burgener (6-2, 4.08)
BOS: Luis Espinoza (4-2, 2.81)
Rangers 3 Key Stats
1: Right-handed hitter home runs off Mike Burgerner this year: Burgener is off to a solid start this season, with a 6-2 record and a 4.08 ERA. The key has been handing same-side hitters. Righties hit for a better average against Burgener—.248 to .227, but right-handed power disappears. Righties have a single homer and just four doubles in 101 plate appearances. Lefties have nearly double the plate appearances, but 11 doubles and eight homers. Burgerner is treating the University of Arizona proud—he was part of a dominant Wildcat pitching staff with Rhino Murrin and Vincent Corado.
1: Times a team has led the AL in both home runs and stolen bases: Texas is accomplishing something right now that hasn’t been done since 2018, leading the league in steals and homers. The Rangers have usually been a prolific running team in its history, but the club has complemented its speed with big power too. Josh Weyer has 20 homers in his first season since coming over from the Cardinals, and Lambert Swinkels looks like a star with 23 parked over the fence. The combination of Juan Gestoso and Freudis Nova, meanwhile, allows the team to run wild on the bases, giving Texas a multi-faceted offensive approach. Luis Espinoza will need to be cogniant of home plate—and first base—to get through today.
7.1: Freudis Nova’s zone rating: It was always doubtful Freudis Nova would repeat his out-of-nowhere 2029 season, and predictably he’s settled into his old ways with an OPS of .657. However, Nova has excelled in other areas. He has 14 steals this year without being caught, trailing only his teammate Gestoso in that category. He’s making contact, with an 18.6 strikeout rate that’s the best of his career. He has three sac bunts, and a 4.6 BsR that’s second in the AL. He’s also continuing to play strong defense, as his 7.1 zone rating is second among AL Second Basemen, his 1.121 defensive efficiency is also second, and he hasn’t committed an error. He’s done all the little things to provide value for Texas.
Red Sox 3 Key Stats
-10.39: Boston’s zone rating: The Red Sox have the second worst zone rating in the AL, with a particularly egregious outfield. All three positions are in the negative, and Boston has the worst Right Field and Left Field zone ratings in the AL. Brock Paradiso has not been strong in Left, and Jonathan Annis’ Exorcist nickname has been apt, because he’s been terrifying to watch in Right Field. Boston is 14th in runs allowed and the defense is a big part of the issue.
5: Hitters hitting at least .300 for Boston: Defense may be an issue, but offense isn’t. The Red Sox are second in runs scored, lead the league in OBP, and are fourth in home runs. Joel McCabe is a big reason for their success. The youngster is thriving with a .332 average, 17 doubles, 11 homers, and 46 driven in. Paradiso and Annis flank him in the lineup as poor defenders who are also hitting at least .300. Mark Patterson and Alan Medina also see a lot of playing time and have .300 averages. It makes it so tough on staffs knowing anyone in the lineup can crack a base hit,
7: Consecutive series won by Boston. Boston was in a rough spot May 16, getting swept in a two game set in Fenway Park by Colorado. The team has really buckled down since then, winning series against the Astros twice, the Blue Jays in four games, the Indians, the Yankees, the Royals, and the Rays, coming back from an extra-innings deficit on Sunday to walk off the Rays and keep the streak in tact. They’ll look to begin extending it to eight games today, as they’ve pulled to within a game of the AL East lead.
Questions for the GMs:
For Dave Lowitzki, you have a veteran team making a playoff push, but Cruz Camargo is your Center Fielder and he’s only 23. Has he met your expectations or will you try to upgrade the spot?
You have a pretty tired pen, plus Toby Dunlap is suspended. How important is it for Burgener to give you innings today?
Boston’s outfield is rough. Will you try to get fly ball hitters in the lineup to attack it?
For Mike Ball, you’ve made a few changes in June with Arturo Reineri healthy and Fernando Tatis Jr. back on the roster. How have their additions worked out in your opinion?
Brock Paradiso has been so good offensively and a little disappointing defensively. Did you expect more balance from him?
Luis Villareal has really struggled this year. With so many good hitters, and players whose best position is DH, how long of a leash will you give him?
TRIVIA: The 2018 Rangers led the AL in home runs and stolen bases. Which player led the 2018 Rangers in homers and which different player led in steals?
TEX: Mike Burgener (6-2, 4.08)
BOS: Luis Espinoza (4-2, 2.81)
Rangers 3 Key Stats
1: Right-handed hitter home runs off Mike Burgerner this year: Burgener is off to a solid start this season, with a 6-2 record and a 4.08 ERA. The key has been handing same-side hitters. Righties hit for a better average against Burgener—.248 to .227, but right-handed power disappears. Righties have a single homer and just four doubles in 101 plate appearances. Lefties have nearly double the plate appearances, but 11 doubles and eight homers. Burgerner is treating the University of Arizona proud—he was part of a dominant Wildcat pitching staff with Rhino Murrin and Vincent Corado.
1: Times a team has led the AL in both home runs and stolen bases: Texas is accomplishing something right now that hasn’t been done since 2018, leading the league in steals and homers. The Rangers have usually been a prolific running team in its history, but the club has complemented its speed with big power too. Josh Weyer has 20 homers in his first season since coming over from the Cardinals, and Lambert Swinkels looks like a star with 23 parked over the fence. The combination of Juan Gestoso and Freudis Nova, meanwhile, allows the team to run wild on the bases, giving Texas a multi-faceted offensive approach. Luis Espinoza will need to be cogniant of home plate—and first base—to get through today.
7.1: Freudis Nova’s zone rating: It was always doubtful Freudis Nova would repeat his out-of-nowhere 2029 season, and predictably he’s settled into his old ways with an OPS of .657. However, Nova has excelled in other areas. He has 14 steals this year without being caught, trailing only his teammate Gestoso in that category. He’s making contact, with an 18.6 strikeout rate that’s the best of his career. He has three sac bunts, and a 4.6 BsR that’s second in the AL. He’s also continuing to play strong defense, as his 7.1 zone rating is second among AL Second Basemen, his 1.121 defensive efficiency is also second, and he hasn’t committed an error. He’s done all the little things to provide value for Texas.
Red Sox 3 Key Stats
-10.39: Boston’s zone rating: The Red Sox have the second worst zone rating in the AL, with a particularly egregious outfield. All three positions are in the negative, and Boston has the worst Right Field and Left Field zone ratings in the AL. Brock Paradiso has not been strong in Left, and Jonathan Annis’ Exorcist nickname has been apt, because he’s been terrifying to watch in Right Field. Boston is 14th in runs allowed and the defense is a big part of the issue.
5: Hitters hitting at least .300 for Boston: Defense may be an issue, but offense isn’t. The Red Sox are second in runs scored, lead the league in OBP, and are fourth in home runs. Joel McCabe is a big reason for their success. The youngster is thriving with a .332 average, 17 doubles, 11 homers, and 46 driven in. Paradiso and Annis flank him in the lineup as poor defenders who are also hitting at least .300. Mark Patterson and Alan Medina also see a lot of playing time and have .300 averages. It makes it so tough on staffs knowing anyone in the lineup can crack a base hit,
7: Consecutive series won by Boston. Boston was in a rough spot May 16, getting swept in a two game set in Fenway Park by Colorado. The team has really buckled down since then, winning series against the Astros twice, the Blue Jays in four games, the Indians, the Yankees, the Royals, and the Rays, coming back from an extra-innings deficit on Sunday to walk off the Rays and keep the streak in tact. They’ll look to begin extending it to eight games today, as they’ve pulled to within a game of the AL East lead.
Questions for the GMs:
For Dave Lowitzki, you have a veteran team making a playoff push, but Cruz Camargo is your Center Fielder and he’s only 23. Has he met your expectations or will you try to upgrade the spot?
You have a pretty tired pen, plus Toby Dunlap is suspended. How important is it for Burgener to give you innings today?
Boston’s outfield is rough. Will you try to get fly ball hitters in the lineup to attack it?
For Mike Ball, you’ve made a few changes in June with Arturo Reineri healthy and Fernando Tatis Jr. back on the roster. How have their additions worked out in your opinion?
Brock Paradiso has been so good offensively and a little disappointing defensively. Did you expect more balance from him?
Luis Villareal has really struggled this year. With so many good hitters, and players whose best position is DH, how long of a leash will you give him?
TRIVIA: The 2018 Rangers led the AL in home runs and stolen bases. Which player led the 2018 Rangers in homers and which different player led in steals?
