Welp, Texas is gonna suck again

[Hollyw00d]

At least according to ZiPS

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2015-zips-projections-texas-rangers/

Sneaky?

[sneaky_flute]

ZIPS is nothing more than fantasy bait. 

[Hollyw00d]

LOL

[sneaky_flute]

It rarely provides valuable, accurate information. On the contrary, these projections are often way off. It's kind of annoying that ostensibly intelligent people waste so much time on these projection systems. The only thing they're good for is tempering one's expectations. 

[Hollyw00d]

Except when they say what you want to hear

[sneaky_flute]

I've never given credence to ZIPS, favorable projections or not. 

[nikkachez]

Not if they're healthy. Darvish, Holland, and Gallardo is a pretty nice 1-2-3. Lewis, Tepesch, Martinez, and Ranaudo make up nice depth and backend options. I'm more worried about Seattle and the on-the-rise Astros, but I don't think you can sleep on Texas just yet. 

[Hollyw00d]

That's a big if. Darvish has had recurring back issues. Holland will probably do something holland-esque and hurt himself at a crash test dummies concert. I actually expect gollardo to do well. After that, it's gas cans and unproven youngsters.

Their offense should again be one of the worst in the AL.

Their bullpen is meh at best.

[sneaky_flute]

Their offense will be terrible IF those players don't recover from their injuries. I'm confident their bullpen will once again be the team's biggest strength with all the young arms they're bringing in. 

[Hollyw00d]

What are you expecting out of fielder? Is he really that big of an improvement over Mitch Moreland?

Choo should be better.

I doubt beltre will be better or as good as last season. After that, who is there? Martin is ok. Odor might surprise.

[disarcina]

now watch Texas whup us.

 

two season back when Houston was worse than terrible they beat us in the season series something like 13-5. Terrible.

 

I still remember the Halos losing a three (or was it four?) game series at HOME vs. the Astros that season.

 

and the Astros were the worst team in MLB with the worst record........

 

however, as was pointed out, when you lose a (I think it was a FOUR game series) FOUR game series to the WORST team in baseball -- YOU ARE THE WORST TEAM in BASEBALL !!

 

Hope that doesn't happen to us again either vs. Texas or Houston in 2015.  In 2013 it was the difference between us being a contender in the West vs. a third place also ran.

[Angel Oracle]

Yep, that 4 game sweep by the Astros here two years ago was a total embarrassment.   I had to sit through the 4th game in person.   My daughter basically thought I looked like I was ready to throw up in my mouth when the last out was made.

 

51 wins in 2013, 4 in that series alone!

[Hollyw00d]

Pretty sure we made Chris carter look like Jimmie foxx in that series

[Angel Oracle]

Pretty sure we made Chris carter look like Jimmie foxx in that series

And made Bud Norris look like Pedro, and made Matt Dominguez look like Brooks Robinson/Mike Schmidt.

Edited February 5, 2015 by Angel Oracle

[Lou]

That's a big if. Darvish has had recurring back issues. Holland will probably do something holland-esque and hurt himself at a crash test dummies concert. I actually expect gollardo to do well. After that, it's gas cans and unproven youngsters.

Their offense should again be one of the worst in the AL.

Their bullpen is meh at best.

What are you expecting out of fielder? Is he really that big of an improvement over Mitch Moreland?

Choo should be better.

I doubt beltre will be better or as good as last season. After that, who is there? Martin is ok. Odor might surprise.

I agree

[Hollyw00d]

Feel better?

[Second Base]

It looks like they'll sneak in and take the West. It's gonna suck when they get Yu Darvish back.

Young teams like the Rangers and Astros, the worst thing you can give them is confidence. Once they start to realize they can win, it'll take 3-4 years to get them to stop. With the Rangers, if Gallo ever figures it out, he and Odor along with Profar, Fielder and Beltre can do some damage. And as for the Astros, same thing. Springer, Altuve, Correa, Gomez and Tucker can be frightening.

We're going to need to infuse some young offensive talent. Trout, Calhoun and Cron is a good start. But it's beginning to look like the end for Pujols. Hopefully Kubitza pans out, that'll help. But either way, they'll need to spend on Heyward, hope on Hinshaw or trade for a hell of a prospect. And that's just to keep pace.

Luckily thanks to Dipoto, we have a ton of pitching depth to work from. They'll keep Richards, Heaney and Newcomb, but anything else not nailed down (Shoe, Tropeano, Smith, Ellis, Gatto) we have the option to trade and still be fine.

[Lou]

While i agree with you in regards to Houston, you seem to be giving Texas the benefit of the doubt. Pujols has a higher OPS, 20 HRs and 24 more rbi than Beltre this year, yet Albert is done and Beltre "can do some damage". Also, Profar hasn't faced ML pitching since 2013, when he had an ops of .644

[AngelsLakersFan]

Honestly, those predictions from Hollywood are pretty spot on, well, everything except their record...

[Lou]

Texas has scored the 4th most runs in the AL

[Angel Oracle]

Except that while Pujols has a .565 OPS over the past nearly 2 months, Beltre has put up around an .830 OPS since August 1.

[Inside Pitch]

Texas has scored the 4th most runs in the AL

 

With an OPS+ of 97.   The Angels meanwhile come in at 96..    

 

So why are they doing so much better?   Well, despite their home park inflating their offensive numbers a little bit, their pitching staff has managed an ERA+ of 101....  The Angels?  95.   Keep that in mind next time someone goes on and on about the alleged strength of the team being its pitching.

 

So, in case anyone missed it -- the Angels offense has outperformed it's pitching staff once park effects are factored in.   That 95 ERA+ is the third worst figure in the AL.

 

 

 

 

[nando714]

I agree

Classic Lou

[Chuck]

With an OPS+ of 97.   The Angels meanwhile come in at 96..    

 

So why are they doing so much better?   Well, despite their home park inflating their offensive numbers a little bit, their pitching staff has managed an ERA+ of 101....  The Angels?  95.   Keep that in mind next time someone goes on and on about the alleged strength of the team being its pitching.

 

So, in case anyone missed it -- the Angels offense has outperformed it's pitching staff once park effects are factored in.   That 95 ERA+ is the third worst figure in the AL.

 

 

I think IP needs a job with the Angels. Particularly as GM or assistant to GM who also oversees the entire Scouting Department. 

[Lou]

With an OPS+ of 97.   The Angels meanwhile come in at 96..    

 

So why are they doing so much better?   Well, despite their home park inflating their offensive numbers a little bit, their pitching staff has managed an ERA+ of 101....  The Angels?  95.   Keep that in mind next time someone goes on and on about the alleged strength of the team being its pitching.

 

So, in case anyone missed it -- the Angels offense has outperformed it's pitching staff once park effects are factored in.   That 95 ERA+ is the third worst figure in the AL.

Who cares what their ops is? Runs win games. You don't get bonus wins based on your ops.