Post by EricFerr - TEX on May 10, 2018 14:14:09 GMT
Arlington, TX - It's been a long off-season but games are finally here. On the slate tomorrow in Arlington will be the teams Home Opener against the Houston Astros. These two teams are at different places in their rebuilds. The Rangers are expected to compete for the division this year, while the Astros are expected to be a front runner in the near future. Today's game will see the Rangers staff ace Jose Quintana, go up against 25 year old Luis M. Castillo. It's a bold move to make a pitcher with only 89 innings under his belt your Opening Day starter, but Castillo is expected to be a special player for the Astros moving forward.
Expected lineups are below..
Houston Astros
CF. Bradley Zimmer
SS. Xander Bogaerts
3B. Kris Bryant
LF. Trey Mancini
DH. Gregory Polanco
1B. C.J. Cron
RF. Jason Heyward
2B. Josh Harrison
C. Chance Sisco
Texas Rangers
CF. Ender Inciarte
2B. Cesar Hernandez
RF. Bryce Harper
1B. Eric Thames
3B. Jeimer Candelario
SS. Andrelton Simmons
LF. Joc Pederson
DH. Asdrubal Cabrera
C. Max Stassi
The Houston Astros have a nice lineup consisting of a good mix of veterans and younger players. The top of the order should perform fine with Zimmer, Bogaerts, Bryant and Mancini. There aren't too many weak bats in this lineup, but it also lacks some high end talent with the exception of Bryant. Overall, it's a middle of the pack lineup that will get better as it ages.
The Texas Rangers went with a clear plan in their lineup. They focused on On Base Percentage and Power. The top of the lineup has two very good On Base players with two power bats behind them in Harper and Thames. Two higher average hitters come in right after in Candelario and Simmons followed up by another power bat in Joc Pederson. The end of the lineup gets a little weaker with Cabrera and Stassi before it turns back over. The Rangers have an above average lineup which looks to be second best in the division.
Weekend Starters
Houston Astros
#1. Luis M. Castillo
#2. Blake Snell
#3. Sean Newcomb
#4. Hyun-jin Ryu
Texas Rangers
#1. Jose Quintana
#2. Jon Lester
#3. Kendall Graveman
#4. Alex Wood
At first glance, that is a very young rotation Houston is putting out there. Ryu is the lone veteran in the rotation. Castillo, Snell and Newcomb are all young pitchers to get excited about. They will have their ups and downs this season, but the future looks good in Houston.
The Rangers have a clear top 3 of Quintana, Lester and Wood. All of which are Lefties. Graveman comes in to break up the three straight lefties. The rotation in Texas comes in as one of the better ones in the division, second to none other then the Angels rotation. It should be an above average pitching staff if Graveman and Chirino's can put up average numbers.
Series Prediction
Look for the Rangers to take 3 games in the 4 game set. A hot start is needed here for the Rangers as they matchup with some of the American Leagues best in the Blue Jays, Athletics, Angels and Rays over the next 4 series. A bad Opening Series can see the team spiral out of control early.
Expected lineups are below..
Houston Astros
CF. Bradley Zimmer
SS. Xander Bogaerts
3B. Kris Bryant
LF. Trey Mancini
DH. Gregory Polanco
1B. C.J. Cron
RF. Jason Heyward
2B. Josh Harrison
C. Chance Sisco
Texas Rangers
CF. Ender Inciarte
2B. Cesar Hernandez
RF. Bryce Harper
1B. Eric Thames
3B. Jeimer Candelario
SS. Andrelton Simmons
LF. Joc Pederson
DH. Asdrubal Cabrera
C. Max Stassi
The Houston Astros have a nice lineup consisting of a good mix of veterans and younger players. The top of the order should perform fine with Zimmer, Bogaerts, Bryant and Mancini. There aren't too many weak bats in this lineup, but it also lacks some high end talent with the exception of Bryant. Overall, it's a middle of the pack lineup that will get better as it ages.
The Texas Rangers went with a clear plan in their lineup. They focused on On Base Percentage and Power. The top of the lineup has two very good On Base players with two power bats behind them in Harper and Thames. Two higher average hitters come in right after in Candelario and Simmons followed up by another power bat in Joc Pederson. The end of the lineup gets a little weaker with Cabrera and Stassi before it turns back over. The Rangers have an above average lineup which looks to be second best in the division.
Weekend Starters
Houston Astros
#1. Luis M. Castillo
#2. Blake Snell
#3. Sean Newcomb
#4. Hyun-jin Ryu
Texas Rangers
#1. Jose Quintana
#2. Jon Lester
#3. Kendall Graveman
#4. Alex Wood
At first glance, that is a very young rotation Houston is putting out there. Ryu is the lone veteran in the rotation. Castillo, Snell and Newcomb are all young pitchers to get excited about. They will have their ups and downs this season, but the future looks good in Houston.
The Rangers have a clear top 3 of Quintana, Lester and Wood. All of which are Lefties. Graveman comes in to break up the three straight lefties. The rotation in Texas comes in as one of the better ones in the division, second to none other then the Angels rotation. It should be an above average pitching staff if Graveman and Chirino's can put up average numbers.
Series Prediction
Look for the Rangers to take 3 games in the 4 game set. A hot start is needed here for the Rangers as they matchup with some of the American Leagues best in the Blue Jays, Athletics, Angels and Rays over the next 4 series. A bad Opening Series can see the team spiral out of control early.
