12/21/24
April 05, 2011
Nelson Cruz Homers in First 4 Games: Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz has homered in the first four games of the season, tying a record held by Willie Mays and Mark McGwire. Sportswriter Evan Grant says the stat has been tracked since 1919. More details on Baseball Reference.
I don't think a fast start is meaningless, though. I was afraid Boston would come into Texas and remind the team that last season is last season. I think Texas needs a big April to contend for the playoffs again. They have to prove they can be an elite team without Cliff Lee.
posted by rcade at 10:46 AM on April 05, 2011
I don't think a fast start is meaningless
Agree completely. I have heard some say that April games don't count as much as September games, but that's BS. Every win you get and every loss that your division rivals get counts, regardless of when they happen.
posted by graymatters at 12:13 PM on April 05, 2011
I remember the ungodly start the 1984 Tigers had. It was capped off by Jack Morris' no-hitter.
When that happened, everyone knew the rest of the season was a done deal. Amazing to have a stone chiseled tonesetting moment 6 months prior to the end of a season.
But Red Sox fans should know better than to read too much into their team's April horoscope, regardless of whether they are on the giving or receiving end of bad fortune. Umpteen times the Sox have climbed all over the Yanks in the spring, only to have the favor returned at a much later, more urgent moment in the season.
posted by beaverboard at 12:27 PM on April 05, 2011
Drug test him
posted by Debo270 at 02:30 PM on April 05, 2011
I think Texas needs a big April to contend for the playoffs again. They have to prove they can be an elite team without Cliff Lee.
No argument, but the anus is on the pitching side of the ball. The bats should be there pretty consistently throughout the season (knock on wood), but there's a lot of ifs in the rotation. Harrison had a really nice performance on Sunday, but who knows if he can do that even semi-consistently. I don't think anyone really knows what they're going to get out of Brandon Webb (or when, for that matter), and they're starting Alexi Ogando tonight, who, if I heard correctly, has started fewer than ten games total at any level of organized baseball.
The bats can give them some breathing room and cover up for some mistakes, but in a 162-game season, they're really going to need to have some consistent quality on the mound if they want to compete in the AL.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:20 PM on April 05, 2011
the anus is on the pitching side of the ball.
What?
posted by ursus_comiter at 05:32 PM on April 05, 2011
Ufez has a plus four-seamer.
posted by yerfatma at 05:39 PM on April 05, 2011
Good for Cruz and for the Rangers on their good starts to the season, but it bugs me when stuff like this is referred to as a record. With all of the discrete occurrences in baseball in particular, you can gerrymander a record for anyone by cherrypicking the criteria to eliminate the competition. Naturally some (including perhaps this one) will be more impressive than others, but if the feat is impressive in and of itself, it doesn't need criteria such as "consecutive games to begin a season."
posted by bender at 05:45 PM on April 05, 2011
onus?
posted by tahoemoj at 05:47 PM on April 05, 2011
No argument, but the anus is on the pitching side of the ball.
Judging by the Boston starters' lack of success, Ufez might just have it right.
posted by Howard_T at 05:47 PM on April 05, 2011
Yeah, c'mon Ufez - it's not like the "a" and the "o" are right next to each other on the keyboard. That's no typo - That's straight Fruedian.
Fast starts aside, I like the As a bit in the West. I think the Rangers are going to have some pitching issues. Also - kinda thought last year was a bit of lightening in a bottle. I have a hard time believing Hamilton can approach last years' numbers, and the pitching has to basically be better with less.
Cruz and that line-up can sure hit like monsters in that stadium, though. Impressive feat. If he stays healthy he could throw down a 40-30 year.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 05:47 PM on April 05, 2011
Maybe Ufez was thinking about the weekend series with the Sox- "Rectum?...They damn near killed em!"
posted by tahoemoj at 06:11 PM on April 05, 2011
If he stays healthy he could throw down a 40-30 year.
IF
How big can I make it?
posted by graymatters at 06:13 PM on April 05, 2011
That's no typo - That's straight Fruedian.
Well, you're half right.
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:20 PM on April 05, 2011
... the pitching has to basically be better with less.
Where's the less? Adrian Beltre's a nice upgrade at third, Michael Young's still around and young bashers like Cruz are a year more experienced.
posted by rcade at 06:44 PM on April 05, 2011
Where's the less?
I think the thought is that a team isn't going to be able to slug forever and will need to be able to win 3-2 games from time to time. They're arguably a better offensive team than last year, but they also scored 0, 4, 0 and 1 runs in the World Series last year with 3/4 of the same lineup when they ran into a great pitching team.
posted by dfleming at 07:51 PM on April 05, 2011
And the Rangers win, 3-2.
posted by cl at 10:43 PM on April 05, 2011
Heh. I love hindsight (when it works in my favor). Alexi pitches six shutout innings of two-hit ball and the Rangers win 3-2. Nice prediction there, dfleming.
There are rougher times ahead for the Rangers rotation, but 5-0 is a pretty fun way to start the season.
posted by Ufez Jones at 10:46 PM on April 05, 2011
I think the thought is that a team isn't going to be able to slug forever and will need to be able to win 3-2 games from time to time.
That's always been the Rangers problem, until last year.
The "where's the less?" I was asking about was on the hitting side. I know they have less in pitching and will probably be worm's meat in the playoffs unless they saved some of Cliff Lee's DNA and clone him. But hittingwise, I think they're slightly better this year.
posted by rcade at 09:01 AM on April 06, 2011
the anus is on the pitching side of the ball
One of the best lines ever. It does make me wonder what that type of pitching motion would actually look like.
posted by dyams at 10:17 AM on April 06, 2011
the anus is on the pitching side of the ball
Pretty sure Roger Clemens retired.
posted by holden at 02:11 PM on April 06, 2011
Jesus, between holden and Ufez, I realize I've been looking at baseball upside-down for a long time.
posted by yerfatma at 03:02 PM on April 06, 2011
Jesus, between holden and Ufez, I realize I've been looking at baseball upside-down for a long time.
Yeah, their revelations have changed the way I look at the game, too.
posted by dyams at 03:32 PM on April 06, 2011
"The anus is on the pitching" should be this year's Rangers motto.
posted by rcade at 03:34 PM on April 06, 2011
6 and 0 to start the season. My god, they may never lose a game at least until Friday.
posted by graymatters at 06:08 PM on April 06, 2011
"The anus is on the pitching" should be this year's Rangers motto.
I'd wear that on a t-shirt with pride.
posted by Ufez Jones at 07:17 PM on April 06, 2011
I don't get it. What's so funny?
posted by Hugh Janus at 09:35 PM on April 06, 2011
The Rangers are setting or tying all kinds of records early this season: Ian Kinsler first leadoff hitter to homer in first at-bat of first two games of season; Kinsler and Cruz first teammates to homer in each of first three games of season; plus Cruz homering in first four games of season.
Totally meaningless records, of course.