First Pitch Game 24 – Pregame Rangers @ Seattle

Apr 19, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Colby Lewis (48) throws against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle, Wash – Texas Rangers right-hand pitcher Colby Lewis will attempt to win his second game in row today against the Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners.   The Rangers are coming off a tough loss last night.  With the Texas Rangers down by one, Adrian Beltre had one out and the bases load in the 9th.  He easily had the chance to give the Rangers the lead, but a line drive that Justin Smoak somehow managed to make a leaping dive to snag and touched first base for the double play to end the game.

Today, the Rangers can’t play from behind in the 9th and hope to win.  They were lucky that Fernando Rodney was wild and had no command to walk in two in the 9th.

Starting pitchers

RHP Colby Lewis  (1-1 4.22 ERA)

vs

RHP Felix Hernandex (3-1 2.04 ERA)

Colby Lewis is back: Colby Lewis just recently returned back to the majors after missing a complete year with the Rangers.  Many have said he was done, but with hard work and determination he’s not only made it back, but looks to be the same pitcher he was before the injuries.  It will be a lot tougher today in Seattle and the offense will have their own problems dealing with Hernandez.  If Lewis is going to get to the Mariners today, he’ll need to again out smart them.  Lewis doesn’t have speed to strike out batters, instead, Colby Lewis is able to locate pitches very well and he’s able to adjust velocity just enough to make batters look silly in the box.

Lineups

Rangers:  Choice lf, Andrus ss, Fielder dh, Beltre 3b, Rios rf, Moreland 1b, Murphy 3b, Martin cf, and Chirinos c

Seattle: Saunders rf, Almonte cf, Cano 2B, Hart dh, Seager 3B, Smoak 1B, Ackley lf, Zunino c, and Miller ss

Lineup reaction: Fielder is finally getting a half-day off which means Mitch Moreland is playing at first base.  Moreland plays first base well, and he has in the past been able to get to Hernandez.  Also, one big name in the lineup, Robinson Chirinos.  J.P. Arencibia has been less than average, lets face it, he stinks right now.  He did finally break his 0-19 streak at the plate last night, but again the team lost with him behind the plate.

Chirinos/Arencibia by the numbers:

Arencibia:

• .094 batting average
• 5.94 ERA
• 4-7 win-loss record
• 2 caught stealing out of 7 attempts
• 2 passed balls
• 7 wild pitches

Chirinos:

• .205 batting average
• 2.17 ERA
• 10-2 win-loss record
• 4 caught stealing out of 10 attempts
• 1 passed ball
• 1 wild pitch

Going by the numbers, it’s easy to argue Chirinos should be getting a majority of the starts.

Cott Sleeping: Apparently the only person not aware of how bad Neal Cotts has pitched again left-handed batters this season.  They currently have a batting average of .467 against him.  Washington put Cotts in during the 8th to replace Jason Frasor.  Robinson Cano, Justin Smoak and Kyle Seager all managed to get a hit off of him.  If the Rangers are to win today, Cotts will need to use only against right-handed batters.  They are only batting .222 against Cotts.  Washington is a manager that goes by his gut and sticks with his guys, last night that probably cost him.

Keys to the game: If the Texas Rangers are able to capture another outing by vintage Colby Lewis, they should set themselves up well for a win.  Also, bullpen match ups are critical.  Last night they were not played very well at all, it basically cost the Rangers the game.   Also, the offense needs to do what they have been doing, hitting the ball and scoring runs.  It will be tough to get runs off of King Felix but if they can stay patient at the plate and aggressive on the base paths, they should be able to get a few across the plate.