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Series Thread: Rangers Host the Astros for Four Games April 5-8

saddles

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Series Preview from Matthew Postins of Sports Illustrated

Cody Bradford made his first start of the season last Saturday against the Chicago Cubs and claimed the win for the Texas Rangers. That put him in line to start the series opener against the Houston Astros on Friday.

Both the Rangers and Astros have set their rotations for the four-game series, which concludes on Monday at Globe Life Field.

the left-hander Bradford allowed two earned runs on three hits in five innings while striking out six and walking one.

He received substantial run support in the 11-2 victory, and Bradford — who has toggled between the rotation and the bullpen since he made his Major League debut last year — knows he doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective.

“My job is to keep my head on straight and to go out there and give the team good innings and then turn it over to the guys in the bullpen,” Bradford said. “It’s been learning that progression.”

Bradford (1-0) will face a young Astros starter, Hunter Brown, in the opener. The right-hander pitched four innings in his first start, giving up four hits and no runs. He walked two and struck out five while taking a no-decision against the New York Yankees.

Right-hander Jon Gray starts on Saturday, hoping to put his first start behind him. He went just 3.2 innings and gave up five earned runs on seven hits and three walks against just two strikeouts.

The Astros have a TBA next to Saturday’s probable but the expectation is that J.P. France will be back from the paternity list to start the game.

France took a no-decision in his first start of the season, going 5 2/3 innings and giving up six hits, three earned runs, and a walk against five strikeouts against the New York Yankees.

Sunday’s game will pit the Rangers’ Dane Dunning against the Astros’ Ronel Blanco. Both are 1-0, but they had different experiences in their first starts.

Blanco threw a no-hitter against Toronto on Monday, striking out seven and walking two. Dunning gave up three hits and three runs in 6 1/3 innings against Tampa Bay on Monday, striking out seven and walking four.

Astros left-hander Framber Valdez will face Rangers left-hander Andrew Heaney (0-1) in the series finale on Monday.

While Valdez doesn’t have a decision, he’s been sharp in two starts. He has given up three earned runs in 12.1 innings while striking out 10, walked six, and given up 11 hits.

Heaney lost his first start of the season against Tampa Bay on Tuesday, going 4.1 innings and giving up one earned run and four hits. He struck out seven and walked none.
 

saddles

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saddles

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Is there anything Bradford can do in this start to keep from losing his rotation spot to Lorenzen? If Bradford has a really good start and either Gray or Heaney have a poor start, would Bradford still be moved to the bullpen?
 

saddles

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Last year Cody Bradford pitched 9 innings against the Astros. They only hit .229 of of him and he had an ERA against them of 2.00
 

saddles

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saddles

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Kelleyman

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Is there anything Bradford can do in this start to keep from losing his rotation spot to Lorenzen? If Bradford has a really good start and either Gray or Heaney have a poor start, would Bradford still be moved to the bullpen?
Currently I think Gray may lose a spot quicker than Heaney. But what goes against Cody is LHP help needed in relief. Of course AKelly may be an option soon

I don’t want to be pessimistic about Bradford losing spot but these things work their way out
 

saddles

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saddles

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Currently I think Gray may lose a spot quicker than Heaney. But what goes against Cody is LHP help needed in relief. Of course AKelly may be an option soon

I don’t want to be pessimistic about Bradford losing spot but these things work their way out
Jared Sandler thinks they will use a 6 man rotation during this upcoming 17 day stretch. Then he thinks Bradford goes to the pen. To me it should be the starter who performs the worst that goes. I would keep my 5 best starters in the rotation after the long stretch with no off day. There would be plenty of time to come to that decision.
 

saddles

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Our pal, Hans Crouse, has started the season with a couple of good relief appearances in the Angels system. AJ Alexy hasn't pitched yet in the Twins system.
 

saddles

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saddles

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Our pal, Hans Crouse, has started the season with a couple of good relief appearances in the Angels system. AJ Alexy hasn't pitched yet in the Twins system.
Ex- Ranger's prospect Tyler Phillips is in the Phillies system and had a very good start in his first start of the year.
 

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This uniform stuff is just a pile of garbage. I know I am old school but this stuff just really gets under my skin. It's strictly for money and nothing else.
 

saddles

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saddles

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This uniform stuff is just a pile of garbage. I know I am old school but this stuff just really gets under my skin. It's strictly for money and nothing else.
You know, I have never once bought a uniform jersey. I have bought t-shirts with players names, but not a jersey. I know a lot of people do, though.
 

saddles

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DT LUNA

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Is the game being televised?
 
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