Post by Commissioner Erick on Nov 17, 2018 10:56:53 GMT -5
Texas Rangers (2-9) @ Oakland Athletics (5-8)
TEX: Mitch Keller (0-1, 7.94)
OAK: A.J. Puk (0-2, 10.80)
Two out of the past three seasons, Texas has needed to put behind a miserable start in order to make the postseason. The way they're going this year, they may need to make that three out of four years.
The struggling Texas Rangers travel to Oakland to take on the Oakland Athletics in a matchup of the two worst offenses in the American League.
Texas easily is at the bottom of the AL in runs, and it's shocking to see. Despite their offensive-friendly stadium, just one regular on the roster is hitting over .214, and just one player has a home run count over two. For a team that has routinely overwhelmed teams with its hitting this is shocking.
At some level, you can't do much if Kyle Seager is going to hit .189, if Corey Seager is going to bat .111, if Rougned Odor is going to bat .149, and if Paul Goldschmidt is going to hit .214. Some of those numbers are ghastly for hitters who have never hit below the .260s.
There are other factors, like David Peralta signing late. Peralta signed with Texas on April 9th, didn't have a Spring Training, and hit just 1-19 last week while shaking off the rust. The good news for Texas is that he, and the rest of the struggling stars, are going to have better weeks and that rebound could be ferocious.
However, scouts were really sour on Billy Hamilton this spring, predicting a decline, and making his .497 OPS a number that won't automatically revert to career norms. Kyle Lewis and Ryan O'Hearn haven't proven they could hit consistently at the major league level. Kyle Seager and Paul Goldschmidt are each 32 and perhaps entering into a decline phase. There's still some uncertainty in Texas and it'll need to work itself out.
Texas will take on an Oakland team that's also figuring out its offense. Oakland's major acquisitions over the past year have produced mixed reviews by the bay.
Tyler Wade has been an excellent add. Acquired last June for three players from the Yankees, one who was selected in the Rule V draft, Wade is finally showing hitting skills he didn't display in New York or for half a year with Oakland last year. He's upped his average to .347 to go with his strong infield defense to be quite a player for Oakland.
Carlos Santana's usual blend of good power, a low average and excellent plate coverage is translating to the A's. The .200 average should climb, and he already has three home runs and nine driven in.
Matt Duffy has stepped in at third base and played quality defense to start. However, he has a .255 average and no extra base hits in 54 plate appearances. The defense is good, but not sensational, meaning his lack of power is resulting in a replacement-level start.
Finally, Jesse Winker isn't hitting. With a .184 average and no home runs, he's been sub-replacement level, despite solid patience at the plate. He snapped an 0-19 stretch yesterday, but has been a disappointment at the plate thus far.
Finally, Franklin Barreto has struggled compared to the last two seasons. After leading the league in doubles two straight years, he has just one, plus just a single home run. He's compensated with six steals, and nobody expected 64 doubles again this year, but if he can get hot with the bat, it would give some muscle for a team that can use some right now.
Oakland will send rookie A.J. Puk to the mound, and he has to be excited to see a struggling Texas team, as he's had a rough start to his career. He's allowed five runs in both his starts, including failing to get out of the fourth against Kansas City in his last start. Just 24 and 6-foot-7 with a complicated delivery, Puk's still working on executing his delivery and pitches. His stuff is good and he'll throw strikes, but the ball doesn't always hit the mitt exactly where he'd like to. This leads to an elevated home run count, something he struggled with a bit in Nashville last year. Lefties are just 1-14 off him, so he really dominates same-siders, but righties are hitting .550 thus far. Fortunately, many of Texas' best hitters are left-handed, making this an interesting matchup to see if he can turn things around.
Questions for the GMs:
For Clayton Piper, rookie Mitch Keller was lit up by the Angels in his debut. How long of a rope will the rookie have today?
Old friend Carlos Santana is one of the few sluggers on Oakland, but he also has just a .200 average. How do you want to approach him?
How will you replace Josh Staumont with him out with a bum shoulder?
For Sam East, you've been navigating the year without an Assistant GM. Why have you made that call?
Blake Rutherford has been struggling and is now dealing with back spasms. Will he be in the lineup today?
Are you concerned that your guys are second to last in home runs right now? If so, will you try to add more power to your offense?
TEX: Mitch Keller (0-1, 7.94)
OAK: A.J. Puk (0-2, 10.80)
Two out of the past three seasons, Texas has needed to put behind a miserable start in order to make the postseason. The way they're going this year, they may need to make that three out of four years.
The struggling Texas Rangers travel to Oakland to take on the Oakland Athletics in a matchup of the two worst offenses in the American League.
Texas easily is at the bottom of the AL in runs, and it's shocking to see. Despite their offensive-friendly stadium, just one regular on the roster is hitting over .214, and just one player has a home run count over two. For a team that has routinely overwhelmed teams with its hitting this is shocking.
At some level, you can't do much if Kyle Seager is going to hit .189, if Corey Seager is going to bat .111, if Rougned Odor is going to bat .149, and if Paul Goldschmidt is going to hit .214. Some of those numbers are ghastly for hitters who have never hit below the .260s.
There are other factors, like David Peralta signing late. Peralta signed with Texas on April 9th, didn't have a Spring Training, and hit just 1-19 last week while shaking off the rust. The good news for Texas is that he, and the rest of the struggling stars, are going to have better weeks and that rebound could be ferocious.
However, scouts were really sour on Billy Hamilton this spring, predicting a decline, and making his .497 OPS a number that won't automatically revert to career norms. Kyle Lewis and Ryan O'Hearn haven't proven they could hit consistently at the major league level. Kyle Seager and Paul Goldschmidt are each 32 and perhaps entering into a decline phase. There's still some uncertainty in Texas and it'll need to work itself out.
Texas will take on an Oakland team that's also figuring out its offense. Oakland's major acquisitions over the past year have produced mixed reviews by the bay.
Tyler Wade has been an excellent add. Acquired last June for three players from the Yankees, one who was selected in the Rule V draft, Wade is finally showing hitting skills he didn't display in New York or for half a year with Oakland last year. He's upped his average to .347 to go with his strong infield defense to be quite a player for Oakland.
Carlos Santana's usual blend of good power, a low average and excellent plate coverage is translating to the A's. The .200 average should climb, and he already has three home runs and nine driven in.
Matt Duffy has stepped in at third base and played quality defense to start. However, he has a .255 average and no extra base hits in 54 plate appearances. The defense is good, but not sensational, meaning his lack of power is resulting in a replacement-level start.
Finally, Jesse Winker isn't hitting. With a .184 average and no home runs, he's been sub-replacement level, despite solid patience at the plate. He snapped an 0-19 stretch yesterday, but has been a disappointment at the plate thus far.
Finally, Franklin Barreto has struggled compared to the last two seasons. After leading the league in doubles two straight years, he has just one, plus just a single home run. He's compensated with six steals, and nobody expected 64 doubles again this year, but if he can get hot with the bat, it would give some muscle for a team that can use some right now.
Oakland will send rookie A.J. Puk to the mound, and he has to be excited to see a struggling Texas team, as he's had a rough start to his career. He's allowed five runs in both his starts, including failing to get out of the fourth against Kansas City in his last start. Just 24 and 6-foot-7 with a complicated delivery, Puk's still working on executing his delivery and pitches. His stuff is good and he'll throw strikes, but the ball doesn't always hit the mitt exactly where he'd like to. This leads to an elevated home run count, something he struggled with a bit in Nashville last year. Lefties are just 1-14 off him, so he really dominates same-siders, but righties are hitting .550 thus far. Fortunately, many of Texas' best hitters are left-handed, making this an interesting matchup to see if he can turn things around.
Questions for the GMs:
For Clayton Piper, rookie Mitch Keller was lit up by the Angels in his debut. How long of a rope will the rookie have today?
Old friend Carlos Santana is one of the few sluggers on Oakland, but he also has just a .200 average. How do you want to approach him?
How will you replace Josh Staumont with him out with a bum shoulder?
For Sam East, you've been navigating the year without an Assistant GM. Why have you made that call?
Blake Rutherford has been struggling and is now dealing with back spasms. Will he be in the lineup today?
Are you concerned that your guys are second to last in home runs right now? If so, will you try to add more power to your offense?
