Post by Commissioner Erick on May 31, 2019 15:59:24 GMT -5
Texas Rangers (54-36) @ Chicago Cubs (52-37)
TEX: Cole Hamels (3-2, 5.73)
CHC: Kyle Hendricks (6-3, 3.53)
For the most part, the Texas Rangers have had a rough go of it against the very best teams in the league this season.
Taking the game today against a top team in the Chicago Cubs would go a long way in the Rangers claiming the AL West.
In June, Texas dropped three of four to the Yankees and three of four to the Athletics to find themselves 2.5 games behind Oakland in the AL West division race. Surprisingly, offense was the issue in the losses as the team produces just 26 runs across the eight games. All of those games were on the road, which will curb offense, but it was still disappointing to see the offense flutter.
The most disappointing players in those games were Texas' stalwarts. Giancarlo Stanton had a huge game-tying home run in the series with the Yankees. However, across the eight games, he played in seven and went 2-27 with the home run, three walks, and 16 strikeouts. That's a disastrous stretch for a player Texas needs to be ferocious.
Francisco Mejia also struggled mightily. Flirting with a .400 average much of the early season, Mejia went 4-24 with a home run, a double, and two RBIs, playing in seven of the eight games, with six starts.
Finally, Rougned Odor struggled. Odor hasn't put things together against anyone this year, but the eight game stretch was really rough as he went just 6-34. He did hit for pop, slugging a pair of home runs, a double, and a triple, but the batting average wasn't up to par.
With those three hitters struggling, so many players Texas counts on for offense were producing nothing but outs. No wonder the offense fell apart.
They'll face another dynamic pitching staff today that can easily replicate those numbers.
The Chicago Cubs' pitching was a disaster to start the year, but once the rotation healed up and the Bonkers experiment of moving Juan Carrizales to the rotation ended, the Cubs staff really settled down and began to pitch well.
As a result of the starting staff settling down, the bullpen has locked into place. Chicago relief pitchers had a 2.10 ERA in June which led all NL teams. Their July ERA is 1.49, also tops in the league. Bonkers Carrizales moving to pen has helped with that, but a trio of offseason additions has also been huge.
Five-time All Star Zack Britton was a dominant presence toiling in obscurity in Baltimore. Rejuvenated after being signed as a free agent by the Cubs, he's having an outstanding season. He has a 1.62 ERA and 12 saves to go with a 4-1 mark. He hasn't allowed a single home run, which makes Brandon Hillebrand really trust him in key spots.
The Cubs also spent two draft picks and Albert Almora to get Michael Lorenzen and Corey Knebel from Milwauee. "Cowboy" Lorenzen wasn't able to duplicate the success he had as the Reds closer in Milwaukee, but has rediscovered that magic in Chicago. A real workhorse, he's pitched 61.2 innings, but he's allowed only two home runs with 71 strikeouts. He also has six wins after compiling 26 the previous three years, making him one of the most prolific relief winners in the PBA.
Knebel has dealt with some injuries, but he's been another reliable member in the back of the pen. He has a 3.41 ERA in 33 games, allowing just two home runs. He's struck out 41 in 31.2 innings and has a FIP of 2.99. He also hasn't allowed a run since June 18, a stretch of 11 scoreless outings in a row.
With that ability to keep the ball in the park, and Texas' struggles on offense, it will be hard for the Rangers to pick up a cheap win late. They may have to do their work early to prevail on the road.
Questions for the GM's:
For Clayton Piper, your team has really struggled recently against really good pitching. Are you worried about your offense's performance?
You're last in the league in steals. Will you try to get more aggressive on the bases against a staff like Chicago's?
For Brandon Hillebrand, you gave up a lot to get Knebel and Lorenzen. Do you feel like it's been worth it?
You tried Kris Bryant in Center Field for much of the year, finally relenting and putting him back at Third Base. Why did you cease the experiment?
You've had an exceptional defense your entire tenure in Chicago, but this year it's struggled. Have you changed your philosophy on defense at all?
TRIVIA: Kyle Hendricks is tied for fifth in wins. Who are the only four pitchers with more wins in history than him?
TEX: Cole Hamels (3-2, 5.73)
CHC: Kyle Hendricks (6-3, 3.53)
For the most part, the Texas Rangers have had a rough go of it against the very best teams in the league this season.
Taking the game today against a top team in the Chicago Cubs would go a long way in the Rangers claiming the AL West.
In June, Texas dropped three of four to the Yankees and three of four to the Athletics to find themselves 2.5 games behind Oakland in the AL West division race. Surprisingly, offense was the issue in the losses as the team produces just 26 runs across the eight games. All of those games were on the road, which will curb offense, but it was still disappointing to see the offense flutter.
The most disappointing players in those games were Texas' stalwarts. Giancarlo Stanton had a huge game-tying home run in the series with the Yankees. However, across the eight games, he played in seven and went 2-27 with the home run, three walks, and 16 strikeouts. That's a disastrous stretch for a player Texas needs to be ferocious.
Francisco Mejia also struggled mightily. Flirting with a .400 average much of the early season, Mejia went 4-24 with a home run, a double, and two RBIs, playing in seven of the eight games, with six starts.
Finally, Rougned Odor struggled. Odor hasn't put things together against anyone this year, but the eight game stretch was really rough as he went just 6-34. He did hit for pop, slugging a pair of home runs, a double, and a triple, but the batting average wasn't up to par.
With those three hitters struggling, so many players Texas counts on for offense were producing nothing but outs. No wonder the offense fell apart.
They'll face another dynamic pitching staff today that can easily replicate those numbers.
The Chicago Cubs' pitching was a disaster to start the year, but once the rotation healed up and the Bonkers experiment of moving Juan Carrizales to the rotation ended, the Cubs staff really settled down and began to pitch well.
As a result of the starting staff settling down, the bullpen has locked into place. Chicago relief pitchers had a 2.10 ERA in June which led all NL teams. Their July ERA is 1.49, also tops in the league. Bonkers Carrizales moving to pen has helped with that, but a trio of offseason additions has also been huge.
Five-time All Star Zack Britton was a dominant presence toiling in obscurity in Baltimore. Rejuvenated after being signed as a free agent by the Cubs, he's having an outstanding season. He has a 1.62 ERA and 12 saves to go with a 4-1 mark. He hasn't allowed a single home run, which makes Brandon Hillebrand really trust him in key spots.
The Cubs also spent two draft picks and Albert Almora to get Michael Lorenzen and Corey Knebel from Milwauee. "Cowboy" Lorenzen wasn't able to duplicate the success he had as the Reds closer in Milwaukee, but has rediscovered that magic in Chicago. A real workhorse, he's pitched 61.2 innings, but he's allowed only two home runs with 71 strikeouts. He also has six wins after compiling 26 the previous three years, making him one of the most prolific relief winners in the PBA.
Knebel has dealt with some injuries, but he's been another reliable member in the back of the pen. He has a 3.41 ERA in 33 games, allowing just two home runs. He's struck out 41 in 31.2 innings and has a FIP of 2.99. He also hasn't allowed a run since June 18, a stretch of 11 scoreless outings in a row.
With that ability to keep the ball in the park, and Texas' struggles on offense, it will be hard for the Rangers to pick up a cheap win late. They may have to do their work early to prevail on the road.
Questions for the GM's:
For Clayton Piper, your team has really struggled recently against really good pitching. Are you worried about your offense's performance?
You're last in the league in steals. Will you try to get more aggressive on the bases against a staff like Chicago's?
For Brandon Hillebrand, you gave up a lot to get Knebel and Lorenzen. Do you feel like it's been worth it?
You tried Kris Bryant in Center Field for much of the year, finally relenting and putting him back at Third Base. Why did you cease the experiment?
You've had an exceptional defense your entire tenure in Chicago, but this year it's struggled. Have you changed your philosophy on defense at all?
TRIVIA: Kyle Hendricks is tied for fifth in wins. Who are the only four pitchers with more wins in history than him?
