The Surprise, Surprise: "A Mix Of Power, Speed And Some Guys Who Can Control The Bat."
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The Leadoff
This isn't directly baseball related, but if you haven't had the chance to watch the video of Virginia Tech men's basketball coach, Buzz Williams, and what he did in response to his team not paying full respect to the National Anthem, it's worth checking out.
Stat of the Day
10 games out of the team's first 11 with at least 10 hits.
Quote of the Day
"Diverse. A mix of power, speed and some guys who can control the bat." — Rangers manager, Jeff Banister, on what his potential lineup brings to the table
Covering the Bases
*Shawn Tolleson (back spasms) threw 20 pitches worth of live batting practice and all went well.
*Rougned Odor (right oblique tightness) hit soft toss today and came out of it with no issue.
*The Rangers assigned RHPs Scott Williams and Myles Jaye as well as C Kellin Deglan to minor league camp.
Game Notes RANGERS 14 Athletics 5
On the Bump
*"Big" Phil Klein looked fine (mid-season rhyming form) after giving up a 2-run home run to Stephen Vogt in the first. But even that came after a bad error and a hit on a ball that should have been played cleanly. He's not competing for much, though. Merely a spot on the depth ladder.
*Keone Kela struck out two, but, as he tends to do, showed great anger because he allowed a baserunner, showing the standard to which he holds himself.
*Tom Wilhelmsen delivered a perfect inning with three ground balls.
At the Dish
*Adrian Beltre hit his first home run of the Spring. Fittingly, as he was ushered toward the dugout by a line of high fives, Rougie tried to take his helmet and Beltre threw a joking fit. The fans laughed. Yay for Spring Training.
*The Rangers demonstrated great plate discipline, earning eight walks.
In the Field
*Ryan Rua got work at first base. He's played 13 Major League games at first base, starting nine. The ability to play first base is critical to the battle for a roster spot involving Ryan Rua and Justin Ruggiano, who is learning first after never having played there.
*The A's were horrible in the field, committing five errors.
B GAME
*Colby Lewis got knocked around a bit to the tune of seven hits in 4IP, but only allowed two runs. Seemed like business as usual for Colby.
*It was nice to see Lewis Brinson hit a ball of the wall and then Ryan Cordell immediately follow with a home run versus
Bracketology
ROUND 2 GETTING READY TO START
Winners: Kivlehan, Guthrie, Hamilton, Jaye, Gallo, Diekman, Cordell, Robinson, Gimenez, Desmond, Sadzeck, Ruggiano, Rua, Mazara, Beltre, Stubbs, Jones, Alberto, Claudio, Nicholas, Ranaudo, Ciriaco, DeShields, Ramos, Darvish, Wilson, Gonzalez, Faulkner, Griffin, Deglan
Losers: Moreland, Odor, Brinson, Dyson, Fielder, Johnson, Chirinos, Lewis, Choo, Hamels, Williams, Davis, Tolleson, Klein, Mendez, Andrus, Freeman, Holland, Perez, McKenry, Kela, Martinez, Profar, Wilhelmsen, Mendoza, Barnette, Boyd, Jackson, Tepesch, LeClerc
The Walkoff
Today's win over Oakland means nothing for the regular season, but it does remind me how bad the Rangers were against their division for a division-winning team. Not only were they the only of the six division winners to finish under .500 in their own division, but the next worst team among division winners inside their division, Toronto, was eight games over .500. The Rangers were 9-10 versus Oakland, 7-12 versus Seattle, and 7-12 versus LAA, but were saved by a 13-6 record versus rival, Houston. Their overall success relative to their division (un)success was an anomaly and something that needs to change this year.
Until tomorrow, Peace Be the Journey
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