Game of the Week: June 13: TEX @ BOS

[Commissioner Erick]

Texas Rangers (33-31) @ Boston Red Sox (39-28)


TEX: Friedrich George (4-3, 4.64)
BOS: Juan Alaniz (2-1, 3.91)


One year after a dismal season, the Texas Rangers find themselves back on the playoff hunt. While the AL West is out of reach, the team has a winning record and is just four back of the Wild Card. The reasons for Texas’ turnaround are surprising—its not as if their offense has bounced back. Texas is last in the AL in average, OBP, OPS, and third from the bottom in doubles. With star Lambert Swinkels hurt, Texas hasn’t had offensive punch.

What they have had is speed and defense. The Rangers are once again lapping the league in steals with 99. Freudis Nova is second in steals with 20, and Doorbell Gestoso is third with 19. Defensively, they’re third in Zone Rating with the right side of the field particularly strong. Both Pedro Tapia and Steve Goode have been stellar in Right Field and Nova has a shot at a Gold Glove.

Boston’s Daniel Flores has thrown out nearly 45% of runners so he may be able to slow down Texas’ running game, but Jonathan Annis’ injury may keep Boston from handling Texas’ defense. Exorcist only has an 11.2% strikeout rate, and a .354 BABIP. He’s been able to solve defenses for years with a .336 BABIP, but a torn hamstring will have him out for a month.


Questions for the GMs:


For Dave Lowitzki, you just made a huge trade for K.J. Harrison, Jacob Allred, and Federico Anziani. Why did you add those guys?

Hamburger Torres fits into your ethos of having great speed, if not defensive tools. Any chance we see him to spark the offense?

What do you think about your picks in the most recent draft?

For Mike Ball, who takes over for Jonathan Annis today, and over the next month?

You’ve talked about your financial issues. You do have a lot of pending free agents, but also some budget room for next year. Do you have any idea of which pending free agents may be back, and who will definitely hit free agency?

You had an extra second round draft pick this year. What did you think of your draft this year?


TRIVIA 1: Which Colombian pitcher has the most career wins?

TRIVIA 2: Which pitcher has the most single-season wins in Boston Red Sox history?

[Mike RedSox]

Who takes over for Jonathan Annis today, and over the next month?

I signed that Gabe Bonilla with the remaining dough I had.  He will have to ramp up fast.

You’ve talked about your financial issues. You do have a lot of pending free agents, but also some budget room for next year. Do you have any idea of which pending free agents may be back, and who will definitely hit free agency?

I'd like to get my dev and scouting budget back up, I can see a rebuild happening depending on how well I do this year.

You had an extra second round draft pick this year. What did you think of your draft this year?

Very happy with the draft, lots of good pitching IMO.

[daveltex]

you just made a huge trade for K.J. Harrison, Jacob Allred, and Federico Anziani. Why did you add those guys?


I like to take risks. My team is somewhat outperforming my expectations, and my aging core doesn't have many years left in it, so I decided to go all in on it. I don't love any of the prospects that I traded—I guess that's the upside of having a poor farm system. And I think I have three guys who will be upgrades on my current team.

Hamburger Torres fits into your ethos of having great speed, if not defensive tools. Any chance we see him to spark the offense?

An excellent chance. I've been patient with him, but he may finally be ready.

What do you think about your picks in the most recent draft?

Meh... I'm not really too excited about any of them. I was pretty underwhelmed with this year's draft class, and my staff really didn't put in the time and work needed to find the hidden gems.

[Commissioner Erick]

Red Sox 6 - Rangers 3


WP: J. Alaniz (3-1)
LP: F. George (4-4)
SV: S. Hartman (23)


The Boston Red Sox knocked off the Texas Rangers, 6-3, in American League action at Fenway Park. Boston pitcher and Valle del Guamuez, Colombia, native Juan Alaniz had an outstanding performance. In 6 innings, Alaniz surrendered 2 hits, while striking out 6 and walking 4. He allowed no runs. Texas, at 33-32, has lost 4 straight.

Joel McCabe had a big solo home run for the Red Sox in the bottom of the third inning. With Boston leading 1-0 and the bases empty, he sized up a changeup from 26-year old right-handed pitcher Friedrich George and punished it. The result was his 12th home run of the season, which put the Red Sox on top, 2-0.

McCabe called the win "a team effort."


Questions for the GMs


For Dave Lowitzki, Friedrich George gave up another four home runs. How long can you keep him in the rotation with his astronomical homer rate?

Todd Warren DHd for you and went 0-4 with two big whiffs. He's now hitting .159 on the year. After your trades, will he be sent down?

Your team has a lot of speed, and showed some of it with Doorbell picking up his 20th steal of the year. However, you only had two extra base hits. do you feel your lineup needs more balance?

For Mike Ball, Gabe Bonilla went 0-3 with a caught stealing. How patient will you be with him as he gets up to speed?

Steve Hartman picked up his 23rd save. Should he be an All Star this year?

Ricardo Ventura pinch hit and struck out, and is now hitting .167. Do you think he can help you this year or do you feel you need to upgrade?


TRIVIA: Two Rangers have at least 100 career saves. Who are they?

[Mike RedSox]

Gabe Bonilla went 0-3 with a caught stealing. How patient will you be with him as he gets up to speed?

Really patient, there's no one else to call on.

Steve Hartman picked up his 23rd save. Should he be an All Star this year?

He's awesome, yeah of course he should be, on pace to be reliever of the year.

Ricardo Ventura pinch hit and struck out, and is now hitting .167. Do you think he can help you this year or do you feel you need to upgrade?

Again, he's it, there's nobody else, I'll be patient, no reason he shouldn't get back to something reasonable.

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA 1: Luke correctly guessed Jose Quintana