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Cognitive dissonance: Texas Rangers at Baltimore Orioles, 7:05 PM

Ahh, who to pull for? I can't actively root against the Orioles—it's just not in my blood—but given that the Rangers are the only team standing between the PHN and a wildcard berth, I will have no problems, no problems whatsoever, if we get swept by the Rangers.

The Rangers haven't made the postseason in ten years—their last visit was under the great Johnny Oates in 1999. They've got a bumpy schedule from here on out: this week they get to try to make some hay against us and the Indians on the road; but the rest of their September is home-and-aways against Seattle, Oakland, and LAAOCCAWHUSA, and one home series against Tampa Bay. With the exception of Oakland, those are all decent teams this year, and Texas plays 12 of their last 15 games on the road.

By contrast, of the 29 games the Sawx have remaining, 20 of them are against teams with losing records: the White Sox, Orioles, Toronto, KC, and the Indians. They also get to close out the last week of their season at home in Fenway.

So the schedule favors the Pink Hats. It will be up to the Rangers to try to stop them. We'll get our chances to help next week in Fenway, and then again Sep 18-20 at OPACY.

Scott Feldman takes the ball for the opposition tonight, trying to continue his recent road success: he has won six consecutive games away from Arlington—one more at OPACY tonight would make him the first Ranger in 19 years to win seven straight on the road.

On the bright side for tonight's game, which I expect three of you to watch, Chris Tillman will be making his eighth start. He gave up one run in five innings in his last outing, but says he feels fine in his innings count (MASN) and hopes the O's don't feel a need to shut him down early. Hear that Dave?

Go Orioles! Rangers! White Sox?


W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2009 - Scott Feldman 14-4 28 24 0 0 0 0 150.0 139 63 62 15 50 88 3.72 1.26


W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2009 - Chris Tillman 1-2 7 7 0 0 0 0 40.1 44 20 19 10 14 20 4.24 1.44


Lineup

Texas Rangers @ Baltimore Orioles

09/04/09 7:05 PM EDT

Texas Rangers Baltimore Orioles
Julio Borbon - DH Felix Pie - CF
Elvis Andrus - SS Nolan Reimold - LF
Ian Kinsler - 2B Brian Roberts - 2B
Marlon Byrd - CF Nick Markakis - RF
David Murphy - LF Luke Scott - DH
Nelson Cruz - RF Matt Wieters - C
Ivan Rodriguez - C Melvin Mora - 3B
Chris Davis - 1B Michael Aubrey - 1B
Omar Vizquel - 3B Cesar Izturis - SS

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