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Weekend In Review

Posted on July 6th, 2009 10:04am by Ryan Jones
Filed under Links, Weekend Review

There are many reasons (read: excuses) as to why you may not have kept up with InsideCorner over the weekend. But whatever the cause of your absence, here’s what you missed…

The biggest story most Ranger fans were anticipating entering the weekend wasn’t whether Josh Hamilton was elected a starter in the All-Star game (he was), or Ian Kinsler was selected at all (he wasn’t), or top prospect Justin Smoak would finally get the call up to triple-A (he did), but whether or not Hamilton would make his return after a monthlong stint on the DL (he didn’t). And though it appears that Hamilton is finally ready to debut for the Rangers tonight in Anaheim, the story of his arrival took an unexpected turn late last night when instead of sending Julio Borbon back to the minors as expected, the Rangers optioned Chris Davis to Oklahoma City to make room for Hamilton on the active roster.

Truth be told, Evan had been campaigning for Hank Blalock to get the gig at first base anyway, but the move certainly rasies questions. Like whether keeping Borbon on the bench as a pinch runner and occasional bunter will stunt his development. Or whether Hank Blalock’s .146 edge over Davis in OPS will overcome his inferior defense at 1st. Or how exactly Davis and Smoak will co-exist in Oklahoma City. And better yet, for how long?

But in all liklihood, these are questions that wouldn’t even be relevant were it not for the fact that the Rangers find themselves in a tie with the Angels for first in the AL West. And the Rangers surely wouldn’t be in such a pleasant predicament had they not finished a three-game sweep of the defending AL champion Rays on national TV Sunday night. Or if the starting rotation hadn’t been solid throughout the June swoon, as Bob Sturm illustrates.

So the Rangers look to reclaim sole possesion of first place in Angel stadium tonight riding a five-game winning streak and sending their recently snubbed ace Kevin Millwood to the mound. And as if it weren’t enough that Millwood wasn’t named to the All-Star team despite ranking 5th in the AL in ERA and 3rd in innings pitched, ESPN stat guru Rob Neyer decided to scratch, claw, and salt the wound by claiming Millwood has been more lucky than good during the first half of the season. Evan gave Neyer a big piece of his mind. That piece was then promptly returned by Adam J. Morris of Lone Star Ball. Touché, Mr. Morris.

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Weekend In Review