Rangers First Pitch: Game 42 vs Blue Jays

May 9, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish (11) throws in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Global Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Texas Rangers right-handed pitcher Yu Darvish gets his first start since his near no-hitter against David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox.  That game ended as a one hitter, but the error in the 7th on Alex Rios was overturned and ruled a hit.

Disabled list: If some how you’ve missed it, the Texas Rangers have placed 16 players this season on the disabled list and currently have 13 there. With the rash of injuries, it does make you wonder if the Texas Rangers should be more cautions with high pitch counts.   During Friday’s game he pitched a season high 126 pitches, before that he pitched a season tying high of 116.

Limit Darvish: Darvish has been a work horse for the Rangers since acquiring him, he’s been healthy for the most part, but should they continue to allow him to pitch that deep even if it is a no-hitter?  In my opinion, I would say no, they should limit him.   Normally I would want to see the no-hitter/perfect game, but luck isn’t with the Texas Rangers right now.  Also, Yu Darvish is basically their best shot in the starting rotation right now and they can’t afford to lose him for an extended period.

Against the Blue Jays: Today Darvish will pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays.  Against the Blue Jays he has a record of 2-1,  an ERA of 2.73, 38 strikeouts,  and 11 walks over 5 starts/33.0 innings.  In 4 of his 5 starts he has managed to pitch 7.0 innings and pitch quality starts in all 5 outings.

Run support: If the Texas Rangers are going to win today or even the series, the offense needs to wake up.  Over the last 5 games the Rangers have only averaged 2.6 runs.   The Toronto Blue Jays have averaged 4.6 runs per game over their last 5 games.  Several players have been doing much better recently.  For example Prince Fielder only batted .206 in April and is now batting .356 in May.  But, hits have not been very timely.    Elvis Andrus has been the worst with runners in scoring position with a batting average of .036 over 25 at-bats.   To put that in perspective, J.P. Arencibia is actually better than him at that.

Elvis is streaking:   Andrus is on a 11-game hitting streak.  That is the longest active streak in the majors right now.  Also, it is tied with his streak earlier in the season.

Pitching quick run down:

Overall pitching:  The Rangers have an ERA of 3.83 over the last 7 games.  The season ERA is currently at 4.57.   The Rangers lead the league with 9 shutouts.  Also, the Rangers lead the league with 22 hit by pitch and .276 opposing batting average.

Starting rotation: The starters have an ERA of 4.60, which is the third highest in the American League.  Recently starters have an ERA of 6.75 over the last 16 games.

Bullpen: The bullpen has been awful recently.  The have allowed 11 runs in the lat 24.1 innings over the last 7 games.   The bullpen has a season ERA of 4.51.  The bullpen has only had one save opportunity over the last 16 games.

If the Rangers are going to win today, they’ll need to contain the Blue Jays’ offense.  They have been very good recently and are not playing like a .500 club.  The Rangers can’t continue to rely on the shutout to win.  Of the 20 wins they have , 9 have been via shutouts and 7 have been one-run wins.