ineedanap

As far as prospects are concerned, I usually root for them when they get traded to another team. I like to see them do well on other teams: S-Rod, Amarista, Skaggs, even guys like Chris Resop.

Thank god!

For a guy who's worst nightmare must be pitching in Arlington, Williams came in and dominated for two strong innings. 
 
It seems like we will have a great bullpen this season, one through seven.
 
 

I cannot believe that fans are panicking after 6 games of a 162 game schedule. We haven't even played one home game yet. We will probably have a 4-2 homestand leaving our record at 6-6 by this time next week.

Rangers season ticket holder.  Have been reading Angelswin for years.  Something to occupy my night, as I work the overnight shift and have access on the computer. 
 
I am a baseball fanatic.  Been married 38 years.  Lucky enough to have a wife who volunteers at the Rangers Ballpark so we can get free parking. 
 
I was a Mets fan from 1962 until a few years ago.  Still am a Mets fan, but the Rangers are my primary team.

1) The offense should be able to score more than 2 runs.
 
2) Downs should be able to pitch an inning in a close game and not give up a run.
 
3) I'm not ready to give up on Downs. He pitched a perfect inning on opening day. He hit Choo and, although hit hard, Pujols misplayed a line drive allowing the run to score. Today, Downs gave up a bloop to Gentry and then left a pitch up to Kinsler-if that pitch was a few inches lower it would've been a groundout to Howie. I tend to give guys a longer leash than most (see Jepsen), so take that as you will. Burnett (and probably Maronde) is (are) the lefties of the future, but the guy had a 1.34 ERA in 2011 and a 3.15 ERA last season- its only been 2 games, and a few bad pitches. I think people are overreacting to the "L"s next to his name.

He has more experience and plays more positions. Lucho could probably use more time to develop.
 
I don't understand Richards. Sure he could be a good BP arm, but keep him stretched out in AAA as starter. 
 
I'm glad Lowe made the roster, that was a good pickup.

Yeah, we've really been spoiled by the Angels bullpen of the recent past. A huge part of those consecutive playoff appearances was the bullpen (especially Scot Shields). Anyway, what you are saying is not only true of 2002. Almost every year it takes until about the ASB to form a cohesive pen. It was just as true when we signed Romero and Oliver, as when we traded for Frieri.
 
Still, I'm more excited about this year's pen than any in the recent past. Frieri, Downs, and Jepsen is a shutdown pen. Add Burnett and you have 4 guys who have proven they can get the job done. Then Madson will come back. Be patient; it will probably take him a while to return to form, even after he returns to the mound. But, then we'll have yet another arm to slot in the closer's role, moving everyone down an inning.
 
Williams will be just fine in long relief and you have Richards as a wild card.

He's not a terrible pitcher. 
 
Methinks, pitching in Philly hurt him.
 
He doesn't walk anybody, strikes out about an average number of guys and gives up hits. With our OF and IF defense, and our park, he should be a very effective pitcher for us. He's not going to light the world on fire, but he should give us a ton of quality innings. I could see him giving us 200 sub 4 ERA innings. Much better than Santana or Haren last year.

Works great for me.
 
Very clean, thanks Chuck!