Playing Pepper: Random Rangers Thoughts From Jared Sandler
By Jared Sandler | @SandlerJ
*I love Beltre, but his struggles to produce runs have hurt this team (see below). The only problem is that there isn't a better right-handed option to hit fourth...Andrus? No way.
*Banister got flack for sticking with Jake Diekman during Tuesday night's loss to the Twins. Not only was Diekman, a LHP, facing a hitter who has struggled versus LHP, but he had allowed just one hit since joining the Rangers. I'd much rather stick with a pitcher with a strong recent game log versus a guy like Tanner Scheppers, who has been inconsistent all year.
*I don't hate a Dyson-Diekman-Patton-Kela-Freeman-Tolleson bullpen.
*Anyone else super-pumped about this new Elvis? Hope he can keep it up. Of course, consistency has always been an issue.
*Not many people are recognizing how well Shin-Soo Choo has played in the second half. He is arguably (or, maybe not even arguably) the team's best hitter since the break.
*Random, but if you love food like I do, follow @goodiesbydani on Twitter and on Instagram by the same name. Insta account is established (17k+ followers), but I came across the twitter account, which is new. Most delicious looking baked goods you'll see on the internet. Great for ideas, too.
Quote of the Week:
"He said, 'I'm a gamer, I can play.'" -Rangers manager Jeff Banister on Josh Hamilton, who missed two games with knee inflammation before returning to the lineup on Friday.
Stat of the Week:
1.077 - Shin-Soo Choo's OPS since the All-Star Break. He leads the Rangers in several categories in the second half, including batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage.
Stock Up/Stock Down
Here's a weekly look at performances of Rangers players
UP: Adrian Beltre (8-for-23, 2 HR, 5 RBI)
DOWN: Rougned Odor (2-for-21 w/ just 1 BB)
Elsewhere In Baseball...
*The Giants put together an awesome Full House opening montage parody - WATCH HERE
*Frisco did one, too, when they had a Full House themed night earlier this season - WATCH HERE
Good Listens
*Rangers LHP Derek Holland caught up with Ben and Skin
Song of the Week
*Omi's "Cheerleader" - WATCH HERE
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