Monday newsletter time: Eight in a row and counting? Trip to Houston up next for Rangers
(AP photo/Paul Connors)
After getting swept in four games, the Rangers ordinarily would be happy to go to any other ballpark in the majors.
Except this one.
The Rangers are exchanging Fenway Park for Minute Maid Park, where they have served as the Astros’ doormat for the past three-plus seasons.
The Rangers are 4-27 at Minute Made since the beginning of the 2019 season and have lost 10 consecutive series there. A three-game series there begins tonight.
Houston, meanwhile, has the best record in the American League and just swept two games last week at Globe Life Field.
This could get even worse.
There is some good news. Martin Perez is pitching the opener, though the Astros have had his number his past two times against them. He will be starting against Hunter Brown, who will be making his debut. Brown is the Astros’ top prospect.
That’s the one to win, because Framber Valdez and Cristian Javier follow Tuesday and Wednesday.
There’s also the baseball factor. Anything can happen, even when it seems terribly unlikely.
Like things seem right now for the Rangers.
Experiment ends
Former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel was designated for assignment Sunday after two starts, two very ineffective starts in which he allowed 14 runs in 10 innings. That’s a 12.60 ERA.
The DFA means that Cole Ragans (calf) will come off the injured list and start Wednesday. His innings are being monitored. It also means that there is an open spot on the 40-man roster, which is the most curious development of all.
Third baseman Josh Jung needs to be added to the 40-man roster in order to make his MLB debut. Just sayin’.
The spot could go to others, too. Just sayin.’
Keuchel seemed to think he had struck on something when he was called up from Triple A Round Rock. He thought things would be different, but they might have actually been worse.
That can’t be easy.
ICYMI …
It’s a difficult time for baseball. High school and college football have started (I covered TCU at Colorado on Friday for FrogsToday.com), and the NFL fires up this week. It’s probably not the end of the world for MLB playoff contenders, but it’s pretty hairy for also-rans like the Rangers. There’s still plenty to see here, though. Really. Here’s the latest from Rangers Today, in case you missed it.
The Sunday Read: What are they doing?
Friday on the Farm: Aaron Zavala is crushing it
Rangers farm report: Look who’s pitching well
Rangers Today Baseball Podcast: General manager Chris Young
Subscribe to Rangers Today YouTube channel
Doggy video!
Rangers opponents and the Rangers. Enjoy. See you Tuesday.
There’s one in every group…🥴😏🤣🐕 pic.twitter.com/s3MkZ6uq96
— Fred Schultz (@FredSchultz35) September 2, 2022
Jeff Wilson, jeff@rangerstoday.com
