re: DAT 9/18: YFPHA Off Day. .5 lead over M's; 1.5 behind Det for 2 seed

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1.5 behind Det for 2 seed

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It’s crazy that this is even in reach

I’m allowing myself to get excited at the prospect of adding a gimpy Esock back into this lineup. Problem now is with Yordan being injured, if they are both ok to only hit and not play the field, it limits it to only being able to use one or the other.

That option is better than neither, so there’s that.

Not that I or any of you baws really needed it, but this series was a great reminder of the fact that the Rangers will always do Rangers things. 23 had me thinking maybe things had turned around, but the bottom line is the Astros are winners and we fricking aren’t, except for a few weeks in an October long ago. Now to figure out who to pull for in the postseason because I can’t watch another inning from these losers.

Personally, I wouldn’t give Framber another start, and I would leave him off any postseason roster, should that happen. I wouldn’t put it past him at this stage to sabotage the whole thing.

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I’m allowing myself to get excited at the prospect of adding a gimpy Esock back into this lineup. Problem now is with Yordan being injured, if they are both ok to only hit and not play the field, it limits it to only being able to use one or the other

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Since we have nothing better to do today, let's discuss the elephant in the room for next year, assuming everyone rises from the dead and is healthy.

How does the infield look? Carlito, Pena, E-Sock, and Walker leaves you with too many every day people. Does someone get traded? Do they convert E-sock to a 1st or 2nd baseman? Could you turn Pena into an outfielder? Can Carlito play 2nd? Where does Altuve fit? Can Yed play enough left field so that you can keep everyone on the roster and rotate Carlito, E-Sock, Walker, and Altuve at DH?

Maybe a simpler question is does someone get traded....or do you keep everyone so that you have a backup plan for the inevitable injuries that will occur?

If they keep this group intact, I actually like the idea of giving people days off to reduce workload and take advantage of matchups. Carlos is 1-20 lifetime vs today's pitcher? Give him the day off and play E-Sock at 3rd. Pena tweaked something last night? Give him the day off and let Carlos play shot.

I guess the simplest answer to all of it is to trade Walker and convert E-Sock to 1st, but I honestly don't know how viable it is to dump Walker on someone,

Heim has bad body language that really rubs me the wrong way. He just seems pouty and when you mix it with the stoicism of Semien/Seager it makes for bad vibes. We need more spark plug guys, I feel like that’s what had the team playing so well when the Round Rock crew was clutching for us.

Heim probably just needs a fresh start, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him play well somewhere else.

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How does the infield look?

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1B Walker
2B E-Sock
SS Peña
3B Carlito

LF Yed
DH Altuve

UT Urias... who I would be looking to trade.
UT Dubonaroo

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LF Yed
DH Altuve

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Yed may never see green grass/turf again. After this ankle injury, he will strictly be DH.

I think Urias and/or Dubon gets moved off season.

Altuve becomes UT -- switching between 2B and LF on a daily/semi-daily basis. He will be playing 4 out of 5 games.

Walker gets salary dumped and eSock moves to 1B/2B role (depending on where Altuve plays each day).

Somehow, you have to find outfield innings for:

Smith
Cole
Sanchez
Meyers
part-time Altuve

Meanwhile Seattle is getting two hit…and six outs away from winning.