Game of the Week: August 5: TEX @ CLE

[Commissioner Erick]

Texas Rangers (67-45) @ Cleveland Indians (71-40)


TEX: Aaron Taylor (6-2, 3.65)
CLE: Josh Woodward (10-6, 3.41)


Rangers 3 Key Stats

.963: Steve Goode’s OPS: Goode has blossomed in Texas with a career year at age 31. His .290 average is a career high, as his .963 OPS. He really blossomed last year in his final year in Atlanta, finally hitting for a solid average and increasing his power as a result. He’s been on a different level this year though. Under contract for just $11.6 million a year for four more years after this one, he may be one of the best bargain contracts for awhile. He’ll miss today’s game with a bad back, meaning Texas will have a major bat to replace.

93: RBIs for Lambert Swinkels: Swinkels leads the AL in RBIs with 93 as he’s been a run-producing machine. His 32 homers trail only Jorge Vargas and he’s chipped in with 12 steals as well. Only 22, Swinkels is one of the game’s elite young prospects. He’s really put on power since being discovered and blossomed the last couple of years into an elite power hitter. Thanks to their development work, the Rangers now have a cost controlled star to build around.

17: Consecutive wins against teams with losing records: The Rangers have gotten back into the AL West race by dominating an easy schedule post All-Star break. The only teams with winning records they played last month were road series in Oakland and Minnesota and they lost both. In fact, after sweeping Kansas City in late May/early June, Texas has gone 3-18 against teams with winning records. Taking care of business has gotten Texas back in the race, but they’ll need to show they’re more than just bullies to make the playoffs as their next four series are against winning teams.


Indians 3 Key Stats

14: Losses in July: Cleveland went 10-14 last month to lose control of the AL Central. It also didn’t help that they went 3-7 against Kansas City in the month. As a result, Cleveland is now in a virtual tie with the Royals with less than two months to play. The Indians only have one more series with Kansas City left, so they’ll need to separate themselves against other opponents.

0.1: Larry Evans’ WAR: A former Top 5 pick, Evans made good progress in the minors before debuting with Cleveland last year, but he’s found his PBA career to be a struggle. The #39 prospect heading into the year, Evans hasn’t hit enough. He hit .213 last year and is hitting .203 this year. His walk rate was terrible as a rookie, but while that’s improved this year, he’s not making much loud contact. A .317 slugging mark isn’t good at all. Evans has only been successful in 12 of his 20 steal attempts, and has only been okay in Right Field. He’s still young so there’s room to grow, and he’s successfully handled Triple-A. He simply needs to produce in the PBA now.

25: Home Runs for Izak Pals: Pals leads all AL Catchers in home runs, and after a slightly slow start to his career, he’s shown why he was one of the most coveted free agents entering the year. Pals simply has major power and he should be the AL’s pre-eminent offensive Catcher now that Gary Sanchez and Francisco Mejia have aged. He’s under contract until 36, but he does have an opt out after 2032 before four straight years at $21.2 million and a pair of player option years at $19 million a season. At those prices, Pals may ignite free agency again before 2033.


Questions for the GMs:


For Dave Lowitzki, Steve Goode will miss today’s game. What corresponding roster and lineup moves will you make?

You recently waived and DFA’d Francisco Mejia. Are his days as a Ranger done?

How has Trout Taylor looked in his first few starts as a Ranger?

For Chris Stephan, you recently DFA’d Bryce Harper but nobody claimed him. Will you cut him?

John Kinser is on a rehab assignment. How long will he be on rehab before joining the big club?

Larry Evans isn’t producing for you. Will you send him to the minors or try to ride out his struggles until he begins to hit?


TRIVIA: Gary Sanchez has led AL Catchers in homers every year but one since 2018. Who is the only other player to outright lead AL Catchers in homers since 2018?

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA: Matt correctly guessed TJ Collett

[Commissioner Erick]

Rangers 4 - Indians 3


WP: C. Pastrano (1-0)
LP: P. Montiel (3-3)
SV: D. O'Rourke (34)

Starting pitcher Aaron Taylor pitched well enough to help the Texas Rangers beat the Cleveland Indians, 4-3. Texas reliever Cesar Pastrano picked up the win, upping his record to 1-0. Pablo Montiel took the loss. Dan O'Rourke, credited with the save, is now 34 for 35 in save opportunities.

Texas used the timely hitting of Heliot Ramos to seize the win. The right fielder stroked a run-scoring single in the top of the ninth inning to put the Rangers on top, 4-3. It was his only hit in 5 at-bats, but it was a game-changer.

"I like the grit of this ballclub," Ramos said.

The win elevated the Rangers to 68-45.


Questions for the GMs:


For Dave Lowitzki, you DFA'd Francisco Mejia a couple of weeks ago, but started him today. Why the change of heart?

Freudis Nova hasn't hit well all year, but you batted him fifth. Why have him hit in the heart of the order?

You acquired Cesar Pastrano and he was able to pick up the win. Why did you acquire the pitcher?

For Chris Stephan, you had two runners thrown out trying to steal. Did you agree with the aggressiveness on the bases?

Juan Aguilar got the start behind the dish and your offense struggled with Pals out of the lineup. Do you have any thoughts of maybe DHing Pals more to save his stamina so he can stay in the lineup more?

Brayan Hernandez had two hits to bring his average to .309. How big has it been to get production from him when so many of your hitters have struggled?


TRIVIA: Franklin Barreto surprisingly hasn't doubled in WBC play in his career, playing only 6 games total. Who has the most Doubles for the Venezuelan National Team in WBC play?

[daveltex]

**Steve Goode will miss today’s game. What corresponding roster and lineup moves will you make?**

Steve Goode's injury is going to hurt. But, luckily, we just made a trade for Joe White. While White doesn't approach Goode's offensive performance this year, he plays elite defense and has elite speed, and will be able to be adequate replacement until Good returns next week.

**You recently waived and DFA’d Francisco Mejia. Are his days as a Ranger done? AND you DFA'd Francisco Mejia a couple of weeks ago, but started him today. Why the change of heart?*

As you've seen, Mejia isn't done with the Rangers. He's clearly underperforming his contract, so I'd figure I'd see if there were any takers for him off the waiver wire. But with no bites, he going to continue to play a key role on this team.

**How has Trout Taylor looked in his first few starts as a Ranger?**

He's been great early on, considering how few minor innings he saw. He needs to work on his control but looks to be a guy who will throw many, many quality innings for this franchise. Taylor and Baffi are going to anchor this starting rotation for years to come.

**Freudis Nova hasn't hit well all year, but you batted him fifth. Why have him hit in the heart of the order?**

To be honest, that was a mistake, and won't happen again. But his offensive performance has been a real disappointment this year, though I'll note that his BABIP says that this season has been a bit unlucky. We're hoping that we'll see some rebound with his bat to complement his great defense and speed.

**You acquired Cesar Pastrano and he was able to pick up the win. Why did you acquire the pitcher?**

Well, you never can have too many quality bullpen arms. Pastrano is still young and cheap and brings a quality arm to an already pretty good bullpen.

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA 2: Tim correctly guessed Daniel Flores