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Linkin’ Park: Lurking Around The Web For You

Posted on July 8th, 2009 12:14pm by Ryan Jones
Filed under Baseball, Links, Texas Rangers

As little as a week ago, the Rangers’ offense was still in full-on slump mode. But they’ve scored 50 runs in their last seven games, with their lowest output being a three-run effort against former Cy Young candidate and perennial Ranger confounder Scott Kazmir. And if the Rangers can get another outburst against struggling Ervin Santana, who enters the game with a 6.46 career ERA against Texas, they might just have first place all to themselves.

The slump busting of the Rangers has been so powerful that Chris Davis, who was on pace to set all kinds of unfortunate records, is a .500 hitter (4-8) in two games at triple-A. Though the cold streak still has All-Star hopeful Ian Kinsler in its grasp, maybe all he needs is a little rest.

With Davis down in the minors for the foreseeable future, the Rangers have been looking at alternatives to ease the pressure off Hank Blalock at first base by giving a bigger mitt to… David Murphy? Apparently Murph played the position in high school, but he would have to be the lankiest first baseman in Major League Baseball. He’s supposedly five pounds heavier than Blalock, but I’m not buying it.

Meanwhile, Adam J. Morris of Lone Star Ball broke down the Rangers’ pitching staff through one half of the season and says that while it’s fair to expect a jump in runs allowed in the second half, there’s still reason to be optimistic. Part of that reason may be because of Tommy Hunter’s curveball, and his remarkable likness to another Ranger prospect. Another might be the steps Brandon McCarthy is taking prevent future injury, says Trip Sommers.

But just in case the pitching staff falters in the Texas heat, the Rangers supposely have interest in a 1-6 pitcher with a ERA of almost 10 and a $5 million price tag. But Chien-Ming Wang has been getting steadily better to improve his ERA from the 34.50 number he had on April 18, so the Rangers could do worse. Plus, it’s a totally fun name to say.

Almost as fun as… Nomah!!

5 Comments to “Linkin’ Park: Lurking Around The Web For You”

Apples @ July 8th, 2009 at 12:44 pm

No Wang please. Save the money for an ace this winter
Rangers Fan @ July 8th, 2009 at 1:19 pm

Read this quote on the espn.com game story

“We’re in first place. Let’s not jump off a bridge,” Lackey said. “They’re playing good. I mean, they’ve obviously played well against us. They’ve got a good lineup, they’re pitching better and playing better defense, so that’s definitely going to keep them around a little longer.”

Hmmm…clearly they think we’re pretenders. Let’s use that to our advantage.
southwick @ July 8th, 2009 at 1:36 pm

Aren’t we currently technically in first?

I thought it was a pretty brash statement on his part.
VegasbB @ July 8th, 2009 at 2:23 pm

Not real sure, but I don’t think John was valedictorian of his jr hi class.
james g @ July 8th, 2009 at 3:06 pm

I have watched Lackey in 2 of his last 3 starts, and I just wonder if he is really healthy. I didn’t see last night’s game, but both were against weak hitting teams,and he threw a lot of breaking balls that were up and right in the middle of the zone, that won’t cut it against good teams. He seemed to not want to throw as many fast balls as he used to, and did not seem the same, as he did not put away hitters like he has in the past. I dont know if he is putting pressure on himself because of his impending free agency or if he is just not really 100%.

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