Opening weekend is finished. The Rangers and Royals squared off for three games, the Royals taking two of those. So I thought I would take a moment to overreact to several things that happened this weekend.
Joey Gallo will not be a home run hitter in 2021
Gallo has walked five times this season and also he has five hits. Only one of those hits left the yard. He is getting on top of the ball and driving it for singles. Also, his batting average is .500 after three games. He has been on fire offensively, just not the way we all expected. He has struck out 20% of the time as well. I think we can safely say, after three games, that this will be the Joey Gallo of 2021. Low home run numbers and lots of singles with strikeouts 20% of the time.
Pitching is the worst ever (except Jordan Lyles and Wes Benjamin)
The Rangers have a team ERA of over 10 on opening weekend. They have five pitchers who have an ERA over 10, including and ERA of 135. Also, only one starter has lasted more than five innings. Obviously Jordan Lyles will be our ace in 2021. After three games, he has proven to be our best starter by far. Give that man a contract extension! The Rangers have struggled to throw strikes, and that leads to problems. Consequently, they have given up 28 runs so far in 27 innings.
Leody Taveras is the worst hitter in Rangers history
Taveras is the only everyday player to not have recorded a hit yet. He should be sent down immediately. There is no room on a rebuilding team for a struggling young player. If you project this out for an entire season, he will walk 54 times and never get a hit. Bet you miss Rougned Odor now. Meanwhile, Eli White is batting .286. Taveras should be sent down right away.
I thought some good Sunday night sarcasm was in order. The team is struggling. We all thought it would. They are missing a ton of relief pitchers. Youth and inexperience is what they are filled with. Slumps will be a large part of the 2021 story. Now everyone should all calm down and relax. Yes, it will be a long season. Enjoy it for what it is, which is the youth movement of tomorrow. The home opener is tomorrow. Take some time to enjoy the first home series of 2021.
