Jake Smolinski has also replaced Shin-Soo Choo in right field to begin the 3rd inning. When I said that the Rangers wouldn't have as many injuries this year, it wasn't a challenge to the universe. Yet, here were are, and the worst-case scenario appears to be actualizing in front of our very eyes. Baseball just isn't much fun anymore when everyone gets hurt.
Like the title says, Holland is out of the game already after one inning. In the 1st inning, his velocity was down, he yelled into his glove walking off, and was replaced by Anthony Bass to start the 2nd inning.
There's not much else to say about this right now, other than this is ridiculous. Strap in tight folks, here we go again. I really hate baseball right now.
The Rangers first four games of the regular season obviously mean something, because now the games matter, but, from an observational standpoint, the action on the field has more or less been an extension of spring training.
I really like how Adam Morris of Lonestarball put it in saying (emphasis mine):
Two blowout losses, one blowout win, one reasonably close win. Really, these sorts of early season results are a Rorschach Test of sorts. If you think the Rangers can be good this season, this series probably reinforces that belief. If you think the Rangers will be bad this season, you probably see this series or more evidence of that.
Derek Holland wasn't there for his first turn through the rotation, and it appears like it will only be a matter of time -- a month? -- before Chi-Chi Gonzalez arrives to the rotation and removes either Ross Detwiler or Nick Martinez. The team will gradually come together over time.
Speaking of Martinez, his start against Oakland on Thursday -- 7 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 5 K, 2 BB -- registered a Game Score of 72, topping his career-best score of 69 he posted on September 23rd last year in Houston. I haven't tooted the Nick Martinez Express on here or anywhere else since his rush to the big leagues in 2014, because although #4-5 starters don't exactly grow on trees, they aren't what anyone envisions when looking towards the future for the Rangers. But let's face it: if Nick is who he is and never improves even a speck from where he is right now, I would still have to consider his progress as a win for the organization.
Of course, if he continues to improve at the rate he's improved to this point, who knows. Maybe Nick Martinez will end up as a #3 starter someday. I wouldn't say that's a smart bet, but he is at least making it worthy of a conversation.
Oh, and this is your April reminder that we're only through four games. Prince Fielder (.333/.412/.400) is the only player in the lineup hitting above .300, and is in an exclusive group with Carlos Corporan (.375) in having an on base percentage north of .300 (.412). No other player has an OBP above .286.
On the pitching end of things, the Rangers alternated between really pretty and pretty ugly in the first four games. Martinez (7IP/0ER) and Colby Lewis (6IP/1ER) showed up, and that was juxtaposed by how uninspiring Ross Detwiler (8 runs on 10 hits in 4.1 IP) and Yovani Gallardo (4 runs on 6 hits in 4.0 IP) were.
Still, four games.
It doesn't matter yet, just kind of. Wake me up when it's June.
I hate doing this type of post, because it feels like there's no "dignified" way to approach the subject. That said, here goes:
As you might imagine, there are various hosting fees and costs associated with keeping a site like this running. In recent months, I've been able to secure some advertisement deals and placed the ads in an unobtrusive area on the right side of the page. Some of you may have noticed it.
Others of you, however, may not have noticed it, likely because of using an ad blocking plugin. My request is simple: I'd like to ask readers, if you feel so inclined, to whitelist One Strike Away in the ad blocking plugins. In doing so, you'll be allowing a single 160x600 ad show up on the right side of your page. No pop-ups, no annoying sounds, just a quick impression that can allow One Strike Away to generate a little bit of money in order to cover the costs associated with running the site and, if possible, send a little the way of the other writers that post fantastic content on this site as well.
If it's something you choose not to do, that's fine, and well within your rights, and no one will chastise you for making that decision. However, if you can stomach one ad that might not even affect your day, we would certainly appreciate you.
That, I think, is all I'll say about the subject, and thanks to all of you for being readers of One Strike Away. You make the experience of covering the Texas Rangers very fulfilling.
Is everyone back off of their respective ledges? Yes? OK, good.
This one was never in any real doubt. As awful as last night's game was, today's game was equally great, minus a poor misplay by Ryan Rua in left field. Nick Martinez threw 7 solid shutout innings, the Rangers blasted 4 home runs, and ended up taking care of business with a 10-1 victory. To further highlight the dichotomous nature of the last two games, Oakland committed 3 errors today
If I had told you prior to Monday that the Rangers would head back to Arlington for the home opener having earned a 2-2 series split in Oakland, I think many of you would have taken it. Now to take care of business at home against the Astros.
