royallypwned

The most important series left in the final month for us starts tomorrow. We have got to take at least two of three vs the Twins. We just have to.

Even though my Angels beat Seattle tonight, you can pretty much stick a fork in us because we're done. Even if the Rangers badly collapse, I don't think the Angels are playing good enough baseball to catch them.

Losing Vlad, Lackey and Figgins all in one offseason was a blow because that's a lot of leadership that was lost. But I believe things truly started going south when Morales went down with his freak injury after hitting that walk-off grand slam home run.

If Texas does hold on and win the AL West, I think they have a good chance at reaching the World Series.

I think only if we can finish ahead of the AL Central winner and get home field in the ALDS. The Rangers' upcoming series with the Twins this weekend is very likely the most important series left on the schedule. Hopefully Josh Hamilton is good to go vs Minny, because we badly need him, even though we are getting Kinsler back on Friday and just got Cruz back.

Miguel Cabrera could win it too. He's has a higher OBP, Slg, OPS, WAR, more doubles, and HR (In a cavernous park while Arlington is a bandbox). Hamilton is better with the glove for sure and his average is higher.

Both have really nice warm, redemptive stories, too.

The difference is that when the Tigers started struggling, Cabrera's MVP hopes slipped behind Hamilton's since the Rangers are looking good for a playoff spot. Playoff teams are usually gonna get first priority for MVP contenders, which is why I'd put Cano over Cabrera as well.

Hamilton has had some recent knee soreness that has kept him as the DH the last two games (where he still has two hits in each). But I'm reading that he will be kept out of the lineup altogether tonight. This game will further prove his MVP worthiness if the offense struggles.

While I haven't watched much of Borbon or Cruz, I can almost bet you anything that none of those 3 are as good, defensively, as Francoeur. The guy has an absolute rocket. Not too many guys even try to go first to third on this guy. But yeah, if he doesn't hit, he's not likely to see much time. Especially with Cruz coming back.

I know Francoeur has a great arm, since I have seen it many times while he was with the Braves. But I can tell you that each one of those guys, especially Hamilton, has better range. And Hamilton has a great arm as well. His defense is what will put Hamilton over the top WHEN he wins AL MVP this season, not if. Idk how much you see of Hamilton, but if you want to see a little of what he can do, then go here...

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2010_08_13_bosmlb_texmlb_1&mode=wrap

and check out all of his highlights just from that one game. Obviously focusing on the defensive plays since that is what we are discussing. Four hits, two great catches in center field, and scoring from 2nd on an infield hit. The only outfielder I would put Francoeur in over is David Murphy. That's not to say he is bad defensively, but I'll take Francouer's arm. Unfortunately I'd take Murphy's bat, but you can't have both.

Well, he is still relatively young. Plus he's a helluva RF. Who knows, all he might need is the right hitting instructor. One that will continue to stress patience at the plate. He's still very capable of repeating that year he hit 29 HR and right at 100 RBI..I think he also hit .293 that year or something.

Plus that is a hitter's ballpark. You have to remember, he's been hitting in two parks that are considered pitcher's parks, so far in his career. All I know is now it will be alot easier to root for the guy, with him not playing for the Mets and whatnot. I wish him well.

All I know is that there is no way he ever sees the field (regularly) with this team if we have a completely healthy lineup. And that is even with any defensive skills he might have. I will take Nelson Cruz in RF 100 times out of 100 over Frenchy. He is coming in pretty much as our 5th outfielder.

Our best OF would consist of Hamilton in LF, Borbon in CF because he has terrific range, and Cruz in RF. All three are terrific defensive outfielders.

I'm not sure what to think of the Rangers getting Francoeur. The dude pretty much was at his prime his rookie year, and has done pretty much jack squat since. The good thing about this trade is that we got rid of that scrub Arias. But Francoeur pretty much sucks.

I guess this at least means that I can start wearing the Francoeur shirt I got back in 2005 again...

haha all of a sudden, the Padres have the worst record amongst the NL division leaders.

Everton looks really really bad.

Whatever. I can't root for the Yanks under any circumstances.:pfft:

Well I can if it means the Rangers get closer to the playoffs. :pfft:

^ no, not for the next four days. GO YANKS!

Go Yankees go Yankees go Yankees!

Not to say the regular season is a barometer of how the playoffs would go, but you do realize the Braves have pretty much owned the Padres this year, right? They've taken 2 of 3 from them in each series. In fact, the Padres barely even scored off them in the last series. Just sayin...

I do realize that, yes. But I would still take the Padres in a playoff series. That's just my own opinion of course.

Go Braves Go Rangers

Braves are 4-2 vs Padres this season. Beat Latos, Richard x2, and LeBlanc.

I don't think the regular season will mean much. Oh well we'll see.

Meh. I would take the Yankees over them. And I can't stand the Yanks. The Yanks don't have quite the starting rotation the Padres have, but they have a few guys that have been there and won clutch playoff games. Plus they have the best closer of all time. And their offense is head and shoulders above San Diego's.

I would also take the Rays over the Padres. Their starters are comparable. And they, too, have a good closer in Bell. And both teams' offenses are pretty even.

I would also probably take the Braves ahead of them. Better manager. Slightly better offense, imo. And both pitching staffs are pretty equal.

The Padres don't have many guys at all who have postseason experience. They could possibly be one and done in the postseason (sorry, MissU28).

Edit: Funny, the team you like is probably the one that closely resembles the Padres (the Rangers). By that, I mean neither team has many guys that have experience. And both teams suprised this season.

Yeah, the current Rangers team has very little playoff experience. The only noteworthy guys who have such experience are Vladimir Guerrero and Cliff Lee. Of course, those are two pretty important players when it comes to doing something in the postseason. But anyways...the Rays had no playoff experience in 2008 and they carried their magical season all the way to the World Series.

Basically what I'm saying is that playoff experience in MLB is way overrated. (see: 2001 World Series) Trust me when I say that I will cheer my ass off for the Braves to not only make the playoffs, but to go deep into October. But if the Braves and Padres were to meet in the NLCS, I would take the Padres in 5 games, 6 at most.

I'm not gonna sit here and say that the Padres would for sure beat either the Yankees or the Rays in the WS, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if they did. A month or two ago, the Padres were just a cute story. But by now, if you aren't taking them seriously, then you will get burned.

Sorry to anyone on my facebook who will notice me using the same comments both there AND here, but meh...

Forget the last few games. As far as I'm concerned, the San Diego freakin Padres are the team to beat...not only in the NL, but in the entire major leagues. I would take the Padres over any team from the AL East. Mat Latos is the biggest stud nobody has heard of.

Phils lose!

Nice, go Astros. Finish them off.

Lol I remember when you were so excited about Harden in the offseason

No I wasn't! Remember? When we were in our fantasy draft, and YOU drafted Harden I think. And my response was that it was a hit or miss signing and that I had no interest in him for my fantasy team.

Didn't know a no-hitter was going on, was listening to Cardinals Titans game

The amazing thing is that Rich Harden was our starter. He has sucked major ass this season. It probably would have been on of the most unlikely no-nos ever.

Got the next two guys out to win at least. Great win Rangers.

Joe Mauer ends the no-no with one out in the 9th.

2 outs away.

No-hitter through 8...

I'm sure this will jinx it and the next batter will break it up. BUT the Rangers have no-hit the Twins through 7 innings. Our scrub pitcher Rich Harden walked 5 in 6.2 innings. His pitch count got too high so the manager took him out. The relief pitcher came in to retire the next batter. So Texas is trying to do what the Astros did to the Yankees in 2003.

Now...time for the next Minny batter to get a hit.

Well, my Angels are eight games behind the Rangers going into today's action. I haven't given up hope yet but the odds are definitely stacked against us. If the Angels had a healthy Kendry Morales, I would feel better about our chances.

You aren't catching the Rangers, dude.

^ this

Although we are badly slumping right now because the injury bug is nibbling at us. Our lineup today is an absolute joke. No Andrus, no Young, No Cruz, no Kinsler.