Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2011 1:41:32 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300]Texas Rangers (3-4) @ Portland Beavers (2-5)[/shadow]
TEX: Michael Main (0-1, 0.00 ERA)
POR: Pedro Figueroa (0-0, 1.29 ERA)
The Portland Beavers have found the going tough a week into the team's existence. Series losses to Cleveland and Detroit, plus a loss in the opener to Texas leave the Beavers at 2-5.
Their starting pitching hasn't been the root cause of their problems though. Pedro Figueroa tries for better luck in his second start than he had in his first, when he carried a shutout into the eighth, and gave up just an earned run over 7 innings to Cleveland but took a no decision.
Figueroa has tantalizing stuff, and four tremendous pitches, but command has always been a problem for him. Against the Indians, the key to his success was allowing only one walk. He may continue to find success with his control against an aggressive Rangers lineup.
However, Texas is stocked with talented hitters. Julio Borbon is off to another blistering start. He hit over .400 in about 200 at bats last season before injuries ended his year, but he's hitting .467 in 2015's first week. Combine that with Chad Rosenba's torrid start (.393 average), and you have a potent lineup.
Texas' bullpen, however, has been a disappointment. Closer John Horton has taken the biggest beating. He's been shelled twice by the Indians for seven runs over 1.1 innings, giving up a Grand Slam to Nyjer Morgan on the ninth, and blowing a two-run lead by giving up two baserunners followed by a Ray Hill game-tying double, and intentionally walking Carlos Santana before being pulled. Santana would later score in the frame against Dimiao Augusto on a Clark Murphy walkoff.
Even if the Beavers offense can't touch Main, they'll be in the game if the Rangers go to the pen.
Texas can use the game to shore up its problems. Portland wants a statement win. It's the PBL Game of the Week!
Questions for the GM's
For Randy Pickard, obviously the bullpen has been a big weak spot to start the year. Is Horton on any sort of leash?
Julio Borbon started hitting in 2011 and he hasn't stopped, but you bat him lower in the order against lefties. Any reason why you don't lead him off full time?
Bryce Brentz is young, but he's no longer a kid. Is he the right fielder of the future, or will you see what he does this year before evaluating that?
For Jon Templon, Ian Desmond's defense comes and goes, and right now it's not there. Can you live with all the mistakes he's made in the field to start the year?
You have a pair of former Yankees title teammates on your club. One is hitting, the other isn't. Do you perhaps move Curtis Granderson down to the three spot to get more production in the middle of the order to compensate for Alex Rodriguez' slow start?
Figueroa kept the walks down his last start. Is he better able to throw strikes, or was his last outing more a matter of the Indians not being patient?
TEX: Michael Main (0-1, 0.00 ERA)
POR: Pedro Figueroa (0-0, 1.29 ERA)
The Portland Beavers have found the going tough a week into the team's existence. Series losses to Cleveland and Detroit, plus a loss in the opener to Texas leave the Beavers at 2-5.
Their starting pitching hasn't been the root cause of their problems though. Pedro Figueroa tries for better luck in his second start than he had in his first, when he carried a shutout into the eighth, and gave up just an earned run over 7 innings to Cleveland but took a no decision.
Figueroa has tantalizing stuff, and four tremendous pitches, but command has always been a problem for him. Against the Indians, the key to his success was allowing only one walk. He may continue to find success with his control against an aggressive Rangers lineup.
However, Texas is stocked with talented hitters. Julio Borbon is off to another blistering start. He hit over .400 in about 200 at bats last season before injuries ended his year, but he's hitting .467 in 2015's first week. Combine that with Chad Rosenba's torrid start (.393 average), and you have a potent lineup.
Texas' bullpen, however, has been a disappointment. Closer John Horton has taken the biggest beating. He's been shelled twice by the Indians for seven runs over 1.1 innings, giving up a Grand Slam to Nyjer Morgan on the ninth, and blowing a two-run lead by giving up two baserunners followed by a Ray Hill game-tying double, and intentionally walking Carlos Santana before being pulled. Santana would later score in the frame against Dimiao Augusto on a Clark Murphy walkoff.
Even if the Beavers offense can't touch Main, they'll be in the game if the Rangers go to the pen.
Texas can use the game to shore up its problems. Portland wants a statement win. It's the PBL Game of the Week!
Questions for the GM's
For Randy Pickard, obviously the bullpen has been a big weak spot to start the year. Is Horton on any sort of leash?
Julio Borbon started hitting in 2011 and he hasn't stopped, but you bat him lower in the order against lefties. Any reason why you don't lead him off full time?
Bryce Brentz is young, but he's no longer a kid. Is he the right fielder of the future, or will you see what he does this year before evaluating that?
For Jon Templon, Ian Desmond's defense comes and goes, and right now it's not there. Can you live with all the mistakes he's made in the field to start the year?
You have a pair of former Yankees title teammates on your club. One is hitting, the other isn't. Do you perhaps move Curtis Granderson down to the three spot to get more production in the middle of the order to compensate for Alex Rodriguez' slow start?
Figueroa kept the walks down his last start. Is he better able to throw strikes, or was his last outing more a matter of the Indians not being patient?