Game 5, Mariners at Rangers
Noesi vs Darvish, 5:05 pm
It’s Yu Darvish’s Major League debut, so the Mariners are kind of an afterthought tonight. I had a chance to sit behind the plate for one of Darvish’s spring training starts, and his breaking stuff is ridiculous, so there’s a good chance he makes a lot of guys look foolish tonight. However, he did struggle with his fastball command all spring and seemed to live on the outer half of the plate, so the team would do well to make Darvish throw strikes before they go up there hacking. If they can get into good hitting counts, they can sit on a fastball and neutralize his secondary stuff to a degree. If he’s throwing strikes, they’re screwed anyway – at least patience at the plate will give them a fighting chance if he’s not sharp. Aggressiveness is exactly the wrong approach to take tonight.
There’s one line-up change as Jesus Montero is on the bench due to a stomach bug, so Dustin Ackley moves to DH and Munenori Kawasaki gets the start. I haven’t seen an official comment from Wedge on why Kawasaki gets the call over a guy who can hit – like say Casper Wells – but I’d imagine you’re likely to hear something about “experience” and “he’s seen this guy before”. Yes, Kawasaki faced Darvish in Japan, but he was a trainwreck. According to the M’s, Kawasaki hit .221 with two walks and 19 strikeouts in 88 plate appearances, an abysmal line that suggests that any information we should gain (which is none, really, but assuming you put any faith in batter-pitcher match-ups to begin with) from their batter-pitcher matchup is that Kawasaki can’t hit Darvish.
But, hey, that’s Eric Wedge for you. I wonder what would have to happen for Casper Wells to get some playing time? Seems like we’re not going to find out any time soon.
Figgins, LF
Ackley, DH
Ichiro, RF
Smoak, 1B
Seager, 3B
Saunders, CF
Olivo, C
Kawasaki, 2B
Ryan, SS
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119 Responses to “Game 5, Mariners at Rangers”
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stevemotivateir… true, but also 4 more innings to see if the Rangers can score over 15. This pitching staff is going to get a lesson on how to NOT pitch to power hitters. We only had to worry about Cespedes at Oakland, who hit 3 home runs against us so far, now the entire Texas team is able to and they’re showing us why our young pitchers still have a LONG way to go.
Hey, you don’t have state what’s already in the back of my mind!
Suddenly having fond memories of Pineda & Fister…
To be fair, all pitchers have to beware with this Rangers line-up. They can beat-up anyone.
With Darvish being as wild as he’s been, it would be nice if the M’s remembered to take more pitches, like they had through the 3rd. That inning was way too easy for him.
Actually, Darvish is at 98 now, so he’s probably done anyway.
Ramirez is starting to look comfortable. Real nice pitch there to get Murphy.
We’ve completely let Yu get off the hook. The fact he’s pitching in the 6th after that 1st inning just shows this team can easily revert back to their B.S. baseball we’ve seen over the last few years. Great… that’s exactly what I was hoping for… (guzzling Jack D.)
Does anyone know what the Nasty Factor indicator on Gameday means?
The ump’s strike zone definitely doesn’t seem to be helping Yu.
Wow, imagine if our pitchers went less than 6, and gave up 5 runs… think they’d get the ovation he just saw?!
I think it’s any pitch at or above 95 mph, but I am not certain.
If smoak had not come with so much hype, I wonder if he would have a starting job when carp returns. Wow – does this team need a threat in the 4-hole.
Anyone else getting the feeling that tonight’s game will make or break the Ms season?
Erasmo looks pretty good, he´ll be in the rotation soon, Noesi, Millwood and Beavan are not locks by any means.
No – not getting that feeling; although I am getting the feeling that a 1-3 trek through texas might be a gift
Sherill sure is rough on righties.
Well of course Sherrill allowed a homer to Kinsler. He’s a LOOGY. I hope Wedge just wanted to get some work in.
At least we got one last chance to see olivo hit! That was great!! How much does Wedge hate Jaso to not give him an AB in the 9th inning of a 6 run deficit game. He’s got to be kidding.