Post by Commissioner Erick on Dec 11, 2018 16:57:04 GMT -5
Texas Rangers (32-29) @ Houston Astros (38-27)
TEX: Marcus Stroman (1-9, 5.03)
HOU: Joe Musgrove (8-3, 4.50)
A two-time All-Star, Marcus Stroman was clearly frustrated having a terrible season on a terrible Mariners team. If his last start was any indication, his spirit and his pitching are each on the rebound.
Marcus Stroman takes the hill for the Texas Rangers as they undertake their yearly midseason ritual of course-correcting after a brutal start. They'll take on the Houston Astros in a Game of the Week matchup with major AL West stakes.
Texas still isn't stringing together the best season. Though their record is 32-29, they have a negative run differential and are without the services of Rougned Odor. What's saved them is better starting pitching of late and stars beginning to hit like stars.
After a rough start, Paul Goldschmidt is hitting .436 with three home runs in 11 games this month. La Cabra, Francisco Mejia has gotten better each month and is batting .442 with a pair home runs this month, raising his numbers to .311 with nine home runs on the season. Also, while not a star, they've gotten five home runs from Ryan O' Hearn this month. Those performances have given the team more stable footing offensively as so many of their other hitters have struggled.
Stroman was brought in to anchor a pitching staff that needed one more front-liner at the top of the rotation. After a 1-9 start with a 5.32 ERA, Stroman was not happy with the direction of the Mariners. He's made one start since being traded and it was a gem. Stroman allowed just one run, walking one and fanning 10 over 6 innings against the Mets in his Rangers debut. The hope is that a rejuvenated Stroman can anchor Texas on their quest for the playoffs.
The Houston Astros are having a good season, but have been hurt by the strength of the American League. If the playoffs stared today they'd be a second wild card having to go to Chicago to try to earn a trip to the Divisional Round. Fortunately, it's a long season, but Houston hasn't been able to shake the Astros or Athletics in the AL West.
It's not really the fault of their offense. The team is first in runs scored and getting on base, plus Alex Bregman and Mike Trout are each MVP candidates getting on base over 40% of the time. A pitching staff that has ranked 12th in starting pitching ERA is the main culprit.
Joe Musgrove will get the start today and he's been one of the most reliable starters Houston has had. A 20-game winner last year, he's on pace to repeat that feat with very similar underlying metrics. His only issue is that despite similar home run, walk, and strikeout numbers to last year, his ERA is a half run higher. Also, despite very similar projected final stats, his WAR is calculated to be a win fewer. The run environment is stingier than last season so Musgrove should be better, not the same, as before.
Houston's also gotten some shaky bullpen performances from their middle relievers. Jandel Gustave's lack of control has caught up to him as he's walked 30 batters in 43 innings leading to a 5.23 ERA. James Hoyt has been just as bad, walking 21 in 30.1 innings, leading to a 7.12 ERA. Ken Giles, Chris Devenski, Luke Gregerson, and at least in terms of underlying stats, Michael Feliz are as good as they've always been, but too many bad starts are compounded by poor long relief and the offense can't catch up.
Unsurprisingly, Houston is 2-11 in games they've allowed seven runs or more. With Stroman on the opposite hill, that number may be 2-12 if it happens again.
Questions for the GMs:
For Clayton Piper, Marcus Stroman had a rough go if it in Seattle this year. What do you hope for with him coming to Texas?
Your team always seems to start slowly and turn it around. Any idea why?
You had a first round pick and a supplemental pick this year in the draft. How do you think you made out?
For Ryan James, Neftali Feliz has been really strong in the past and in Triple A this year, and your long relief has struggled. Will we see Feliz in the majors at all?
Garrett Stubs has not produced offensively this year. Will we see more Evan Gattis when he heals?
you took two pitchers in the first round this year. What do you think about their long-term outlook?
TEX: Marcus Stroman (1-9, 5.03)
HOU: Joe Musgrove (8-3, 4.50)
A two-time All-Star, Marcus Stroman was clearly frustrated having a terrible season on a terrible Mariners team. If his last start was any indication, his spirit and his pitching are each on the rebound.
Marcus Stroman takes the hill for the Texas Rangers as they undertake their yearly midseason ritual of course-correcting after a brutal start. They'll take on the Houston Astros in a Game of the Week matchup with major AL West stakes.
Texas still isn't stringing together the best season. Though their record is 32-29, they have a negative run differential and are without the services of Rougned Odor. What's saved them is better starting pitching of late and stars beginning to hit like stars.
After a rough start, Paul Goldschmidt is hitting .436 with three home runs in 11 games this month. La Cabra, Francisco Mejia has gotten better each month and is batting .442 with a pair home runs this month, raising his numbers to .311 with nine home runs on the season. Also, while not a star, they've gotten five home runs from Ryan O' Hearn this month. Those performances have given the team more stable footing offensively as so many of their other hitters have struggled.
Stroman was brought in to anchor a pitching staff that needed one more front-liner at the top of the rotation. After a 1-9 start with a 5.32 ERA, Stroman was not happy with the direction of the Mariners. He's made one start since being traded and it was a gem. Stroman allowed just one run, walking one and fanning 10 over 6 innings against the Mets in his Rangers debut. The hope is that a rejuvenated Stroman can anchor Texas on their quest for the playoffs.
The Houston Astros are having a good season, but have been hurt by the strength of the American League. If the playoffs stared today they'd be a second wild card having to go to Chicago to try to earn a trip to the Divisional Round. Fortunately, it's a long season, but Houston hasn't been able to shake the Astros or Athletics in the AL West.
It's not really the fault of their offense. The team is first in runs scored and getting on base, plus Alex Bregman and Mike Trout are each MVP candidates getting on base over 40% of the time. A pitching staff that has ranked 12th in starting pitching ERA is the main culprit.
Joe Musgrove will get the start today and he's been one of the most reliable starters Houston has had. A 20-game winner last year, he's on pace to repeat that feat with very similar underlying metrics. His only issue is that despite similar home run, walk, and strikeout numbers to last year, his ERA is a half run higher. Also, despite very similar projected final stats, his WAR is calculated to be a win fewer. The run environment is stingier than last season so Musgrove should be better, not the same, as before.
Houston's also gotten some shaky bullpen performances from their middle relievers. Jandel Gustave's lack of control has caught up to him as he's walked 30 batters in 43 innings leading to a 5.23 ERA. James Hoyt has been just as bad, walking 21 in 30.1 innings, leading to a 7.12 ERA. Ken Giles, Chris Devenski, Luke Gregerson, and at least in terms of underlying stats, Michael Feliz are as good as they've always been, but too many bad starts are compounded by poor long relief and the offense can't catch up.
Unsurprisingly, Houston is 2-11 in games they've allowed seven runs or more. With Stroman on the opposite hill, that number may be 2-12 if it happens again.
Questions for the GMs:
For Clayton Piper, Marcus Stroman had a rough go if it in Seattle this year. What do you hope for with him coming to Texas?
Your team always seems to start slowly and turn it around. Any idea why?
You had a first round pick and a supplemental pick this year in the draft. How do you think you made out?
For Ryan James, Neftali Feliz has been really strong in the past and in Triple A this year, and your long relief has struggled. Will we see Feliz in the majors at all?
Garrett Stubs has not produced offensively this year. Will we see more Evan Gattis when he heals?
you took two pitchers in the first round this year. What do you think about their long-term outlook?