Game number one of 162 did not turn out the way the home crowd wanted it to. That means the Rangers will not go 162-0, but all is not lost.
However, there were a few concerning issues during the game that had better be an anomaly and not a trend.
The Rangers sent their best three pitchers into the game and all were victimized by a very good Indians team with a power packed lineup. Yu Darvish pitched very well for most of the game. There were a few times where he seemed to lose the strike zone and that led to mistakes. The Indians are good at capitalizing on mistakes. The other concern was the error made by Elvis Andrus to start the fifth inning. Darvish responded by walking the next two batters. He did get out of the inning, but that drove up the pitch count and ultimately saw him leave after only six and a third innings. The lack of concentration, or inconsistency is highly concerning from a guy who is in a contract year and expects to earn $30 million a year going forward.
Still he had a better line than Corey Kluber the Indians starter did. He may be worth that big payday, but certainly those issues are of high concern.
The team did not manufacture a single run in the entire game. Had it not been for the two home runs by Roughned Odor, and the solo shot by Carlos Gomez, there was very little to get the crowd excited. In fact, the Rangers did not get a hit from the 3rd inning until a two out single by Choo in the 7th, and then Elvis Andrus hit a triple with one out in the ninth. The only other base-runner was Joey Gallo who walked in the 6th. Otherwise the bats were silent.
That was not the worst part of the hitting as Napoli, LuCroy, Choo, Profar, and Gallo looked completely lost at the plate. While Adrian Beltre is out someone has to lead this team, and while Odor tried, he just did not have any support.
Matt Bush is the Rangers equivalent of Andrew Miller, but he too was touched by an Encarnacion long ball which tied the game.
Then comes our closer, the man we count on to get us to the finish line. With the scored tied at 5 in the ninth, Sam Dyson gave up 4 hits and 3 runs while looking like he belonged at AA Frisco, and left the game with an ERA of 40.50. Ouch!
Again the Rangers were facing the team many have picked for a return trip to the World Series. However, this was the supposed best three pitchers on the team.
Yes, it is one game, and out of 162 it doesn’t mean much. However, fans see things differently, and they see a Rangers team with the same problem they have always had, no outstanding pitching.
The reality is that the team had no outstanding hitting or pitching. Things can improve but it seems every year the team starts the same way, with bullpen issues and inconsistency.
The team can turn this thing around, and they may, but for now put away the anointing oil because it is going to be a bumpy road. Still it is about the ride, enjoying the game for what it is, and cherishing the boys of summer. The other note is don’t write off the season because they lost the first one, it will get better. If they were playing just about any other team in the AL the Rangers probably hold on to win that one.
Keep it real, and trust that management will figure it out. I do have a couple of questions for Mike Bannister. Delino Desields was the hottest player all through spring training, so why in the world wouldn’t you start him? The other is why leave Matt Bush in for an extended inning this early in the season? Second guessing the manager is after all a huge part of the game!
I still think this team had better work out a contract with Yu Darvish now, because he is the best this team has to offer, and there is just not that much behind him on the current staff and the farm system has been drained. Besides they don’t need to make any more trades that see future stars pitching for the Cubs while the team gets a rental. I would rather this team focus on developing their youngsters. The key thing to remember is that it is after all, just one game!
