All series talk goes in here. Non series talk goes somewhere else. No PVP, that can be found from other sources if you need it. All games are broadcast on Root Sports unless otherwise noted. 5-1 Andrew Cashner RHP vs. Lance McCullers Jr. RHP 7:10 5-2 Cole Hamels LHP vs. Mike Fiers RHP 7:10 5-3 TBA vs. Charlie Morton RHP 7:10 5-4 Yu Darvish RHP vs. Joe Musgrove RHP 1:10
That'd be my guess as well. I think home Musgrove can outpitch Darvish but gotta take the vet straight up. If the TBA is Nick Martinez that'll be a close game, he's pitched well this year. If its AJ Griffith that I'm counting the W.
Tough getting Darvish and Hamels without Keuchel going for us. Still need to get at least a split in this series. Our results against them have been past the point of bad luck, and have become a mental thing. We need to get over that hurdle.
For some reason my comment got deleted, but I'll be there for the Tuesday and Thursday game, and they look like tough pitching matchups. Hopefully we can pull it out. Work is hooking me up for the Thursday game.
Hamels has been escaping by the hairs on his chinny chin chin. Doubt that works on a team that is 9 deep with hitters. Granted Astros have Fiers who has been doing same thing, but is a worse pitcher. Darvish, I hate that guy.
I think it's supremely important to win this series for 2 reasons. 1. Get the monkey off our backs. 2. Don't give them hope. A 3-1 series win pushes them to 7 games back. The opposite moves them up to 3. I realize it's still incredibly early but I think it's a huge opportunity to show the rangers we're not going to be pushed over this year and that it's our turn. I feel like a bad series against them could get into the young guys heads again and lead to a bad stretch. On the flip side, a strong showing just boosts the confidence they're already playing with.
Fiers vs Hamels? Just love when pitching rotations get out of whack. 4 game set against the Rangers and no Dallas. Would have been tempting to give someone a spot start yesterday and start this series with DK and take our chances with home LMJ against Cole.
I feel the trepidation going into this series since as you have noted, there is a strange anomaly/mental block that the Stros have had with Arlington for far too long. DFW sports radio is talking this up as a pivotal series for them and would change the power dynamic in the division if Houston gets manhandled in Houston...again. The one run anomaly has broken this year for Arlington--isn't it high time and statistically necessary that Houston gets to rerun the favor?
Fangraphs did an article the other day on how Cole Hamels could be in the beginning of a decline. Knowing our Rangers luck this could mean we're primed to be their slump-buster though. Hopefully our deeper lineup continues to give people fits.
I'd honestly love to have one of the first 2 games be one of our 4-5 run comebacks on them. Show them we're not to be f***ed with this year and that last year was nothing but luck that has run out.
LLLL Rangers sweep us in a major turning point for the season. Rangers proceed to stay hot and take over the division while the Astros falter down the standings.
No. The Astros would be better off winning each game by 10 breaking their spirit and hurting the trade values of their players.
