April 8, 2001
Oh, Helling! Rangers Have Rough First Week
JUST SIGN A PUNTER ... The worst phrase for a fantasy owner to pay
attention to early in the season is "on pace for," but as Tim
Kurkjian noted here on ESPN.com a few days ago, the first week of
the season can predict some trends. The Rangers' 3-4 opening week
saw them score 31 runs (4.3 per game) and give up 42 (6.0 per game),
and the pitching staff hasn't exactly been challenged by monster
offenses (Anaheim, Seattle), while the offense hasn't had to deal
with anyone tougher than Freddy Garcia. Remember, early in the year,
pitchers are usually ahead of hitters. That doesn't bode well for
Texas.
Tearing it Up
LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE NEW GUYS ... Two of the Rangers' "other"
(read: "not A-Rod") offseason acquistions are earning their spurs,
as 2B Randy Velarde (.370, 5 2B, 2 HR, 2 RBI) is the only AL player
to have a hit in every game this year, while DH Andres Galarraga
(.280, 3 HR, 7 RBI) is the only Ranger producing in RISP situations.
For those in one-game elgibility leagues, the Big Cat has now seen
action at 1B. On the mound, erstwhile veteran lefty Kenny Rogers
(1-0, 2.57 in 14.1 IP) has spun two nice starts together while new
closer Tim Crabtree converted his first two save opportunities.
Slumping
ROTATION WOES ... It's not pretty. Rick Helling (0-1, 11.00 in two
starts), Ryan Glynn (0-1, 8.44) and Doug Davis (0-1, 7.71) struggled
to open the year, but Helling is a bulldog and Davis looked terrific
for four innings after a nine-day layoff. It's worth noting that
Davis and Helling swapped rotation spots on Friday and Saturday, and
Davis is now slotted in the #2 position. As for Darren "Fantasy
Death" Oliver (1-0, 0.00) -- well, he’s sitting at #4 on the ESPN
AL-Only "Most Added" list after throwing five of the worst shutout
innings in major league history. Trade him before you have to
release him.
At the Plate
ROD SQUAD UPDATE ... Anyone concerned about Rusty Greer handling the
leadoff spot can rest easy; he's at .346 with an OPS of .899 ...
Alex Rodriguez tied a team record with three doubles Saturday; he
also has two steals, but don't get your hopes up for more than 12-15
... Rafael Palmeiro is hitting just .227 but leads the team with
eight RBI, including a grand slam ... Ken Caminiti is hitting just
.200 and took the day off Sunday, but had a massive home run
Saturday and his stroke looks terrific ... Pudge Rodriguez is
hitting .217 with one dinger and two RBI, but it's not exactly time
to worry.
Probable Starters
April 10, Oliver @ANA
April 11, Glynn @ANA
April 12, Helling @ANA
April 13, Davis @OAK
April 14, Rogers @OAK
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From the Rubber
IN THE PEN ... Crabtree's work has occasionally been heart-stopping,
but Texas has lived through the eras of Mitch Williams, Mike
Henneman and John Wetteland, so he fits right in. Johnny Oates'
early pattern has seen primary righty setup duties going to Jeff
Zimmerman (5.40 ERA in six appearances) and Mark Petkovsek (12.60
ERA in three) while Mike Venafro (1-0, 9.00 in three games) is the
sole lefty. Jeff Brantley (4.91 ERA in three games) has looked
extremely hittable, but keep an eye on Pat Mahomes (5.2 shutout IP
in two games), who Oates keeps comparing to former Oriole win
vulture Sammy Stewart.
On the Mend
IT'S CURTIS, FOR NOW ... With Gabe Kapler expected to miss another
2-3 weeks and Ricky Ledee taking at least another week off, it looks
like Chad Curtis will get the majority of the starts in CF over Bo
Porter. Curtis may be a decent short-term pickup in deep AL-only
leagues, but remember, he's either the fifth OF or on waivers when
everyone's healthy ... Glynn was hit in the right (pitching)
shoulder by a line drive Thursday, but will make his next start ...
Francisco Cordero has started throwing with pitching coach Larry
Hardy, but good health will just mean a ticket to Oklahoma City.
Recent Call-ups
STAR WATCH ... The next two Ranger greats, 1B Carlos Pena and OF
Kevin Mench, are off to terrific starts. Pena, at Oklahoma City, has
an OPS of 1.100 through his first three games, while Mench is
7-for-14 at Tulsa ... OKC’s R.A. Dickey threw six shutout innings
against Salt Lake City, while Tulsa’s David Elder allowed just one
run in seven innings against Shreveport. A complete archive of all
2000 and 2001 Ranger Fantasy Reports is available at
http://www.eaze.net/~sandyet/ESPN/ or contact me directly at
mickwrites@hotmail.com. Next posting: Sunday night April 15 or as
breaking news warrants.
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