Yeah, never mind that Framber is on a historic run with Maldy catching. Vazquez possibly getting a couple of base knocks is way more important. Good call!
Sample size. Framber was also good in the 2020 playoffs, minus fans. Even the best all time playoff pitchers have bad games that are very memorable due to sample size issues. The ability to have a good/elite game in the playoffs is the rarer feat. No starting pitcher, especially in today’s MLB, can be expected to go 5 IP with low run total in the playoffs routinely… when it happens, you celebrate it.
The same Maldy that had the game winning hit last night as well as the caught stealing to end the third?
Real talk: With this roster, Matijevic should never be in the starting lineup under any circumstances. I know he's hit better as of late, but to have Vasquez and Mancini on the bench with two of your best young prospects in Diaz and Hensley sitting next to them is appalling. ANY of those four guys should be hitting DH tonight instead of JJ. What am I missing here?
Agreed but...a few counterpoints: - he's on the roster, so why not get him some playing time, the front office wants to see if he has figured anything out yet - still have injuries so it's probably now or never (i.e. Diaz should get most of the playing time when he's back and JJ and Hensley won't) - team is still winning. Can "afford" to test out some of the prospects -it's the Rangers Having said that my rank choices would've been 1) Hensley 2) Vazquez 3) JJ 4) Diaz and 5) there is no #5 because I don't want Dubon starting ever.
I don't mind Maldonado and Vasquez splitting duties which is all I wanted. I do want Gurriel to get more time off and bat lower in the order when he does play. Matijevic should make his starts against righties. Let's just see how this plays out tonight.
I don't disagree with any of this, but at the same time, a better version of this lineup scored 1 whopping run yesterday. The offense has struggled a bit as of late, scoring 5+ runs only twice in their last nine games. And you've got Maldy in the lineup with McCormick batting against righties. If they want Matijevic to get some playing time, I'm not completely opposed to it (even if I don't like it). But I'd prefer he play on nights when you've got Vasquez and Mancini in there to soften the blow. I just expect so little out of the 6-9 hitters tonight. That being said, they'll probably go off for multiple homers and RBIs, and I'll look like a total idiot in a few hours. That's usually how it goes when you criticize Dusty...
Dubon should be gone, Hensley/A.Diaz/Chas can play all the positions we would need. JJ can be gone too with Mancini, Y.Diaz and Vasquez ability to play 1b and DH. Too much skill to have either of those guys on the field. Ever.
There's no wrong answer as long as the top 5 are set and at least one of our better hitters (above 1.0 WAR) is also in.
Lost 4-3, 5-1...Won 8-4 ETA just realized that was confusing. The Rangers lost those first 2 games and won the 8-4 game.
