Newsletter time: Texas Rangers All-Star chances, a big thanks, N.C. State canceled, a good doggy
Adolis Garcia has advanced to the next phase of voting, which begins Monday, but is he the Rangers player most likely for the Midsummer Classic?
The Texas Rangers headed to San Francisco on Sunday night, and it was a happy flight.
They had just completed a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals, who looked just terrible at Globe Life Field, and managed to pull of a 5-5 homestand despite being swept last weekend by the Minnesota Twins.
Maybe this isn’t the ideal time for an off day. Here’s why:
The last time the Rangers swept a series was May 21-23 against the Houston Astros, and that was followed by an off day in Anaheim. The Rangers promptly went 0-9 on their road trip.
The upcoming trip is only six games, three at Oakland and three at Seattle. It’s the final road trip of the first half and will be followed by a six-game homestand July 5-11 that ends the first half of the season.
By no means has this been a good first half for the Rangers, who at one point in May were 18-18. They’re 30-48 six weeks later.
But that’s not the worst record in the American League (Baltimore 24-54), and there are two teams worse in the National League (Pittsburgh 29-47, Arizona 22-57).
The Rangers, though, are not short on candidates for the All-Star Game despite being short on wins. They have four, but two could say they were robbed if they don’t make the AL team.
One is Adolis Garcia, and the other is Kyle Gibson.
Garcia should make the team, which would be quite the feat for a player who didn’t make the Opening Day roster. He enters the day tied for third in the American League in homers (20), fourth in RBIs (55) and eighth in slugging percentage (.550).
Those numbers rank first, first and first among AL outfielders.
Gibson, though, might have the better argument.
He leads the league in ERA (2.00), just ahead of former Twins and Rangers teammate Lance Lynn (2.06). Gibson is fifth in WHIP (1.01) and opponents average (.200).
Can the team with baseball’s fourth-worst record have two All-Stars?
They absolutely should.
To vote for Garcia (pitchers aren’t on the ballot), click here.
Thanks in advance
This little endeavor started Thursday and is steadily gaining subscribers. Thanks to those who have signed up and read the handful of stories posted so far, and thanks in advance to those who you who are going to pay a $5.99 monthly subscription.
That starts today, though some content will remain free to all. This newsletter, for instance, won’t cost nothin’.
Keep in mind that this is still in its infancy. Experimenting will be done. But this is an exciting day. Thanks again for hopping on board.
COVID takes down Wolfpack
The College World Series has its two finalists, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt. Mississippi State walked off Texas on Saturday night to advance, while Vandy got a free pass from the NCAA.
A COVID-19 outbreak took out a huge chunk of North Carolina State’s roster. Rather than hold up the tournament to see if enough Wolfpack players and coaches could clear protocols, the NCAA declared the N.C. State-Vandy game to decide one of the two finalist a no-contest.
On Twitter. At 2 a.m. Saturday, and the NCAA said it wasn’t their decision but local health officials.
It all seems pretty unseemly, right?
Dog video!
Click-seeking newspapers try to at least act above board. Often, they will say they won’t stoop so far as to post cat videos.
They actually will stoop lower.
Jeff Wilson’s Texas Rangers Newsletter is deathly allergic to cats and even some dogs, but not enough to keep dogs out of the house. And there are few things on World Wide Web that are as funny as a good dog video.
Enjoy this one. See you Tuesday.
