Padres/Rangers Game 3 Pregame Preview: The Yu vs. Some Dude Named "Bass"

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Just over a week ago, the Texas Rangers (42-27) were begging to get out of Cali and back home pronto.  Now, after securing their fourth-straight series win and looking to push their winning streak to six, the Rangers have a fresh outlook on California.

I’ll take “California Dreamin’” over West Coast Screamin’ any old day in Rangers Nation.

Scott Feldman collected his first win of the season in last night’s 7-3 win over the San Diego Padres…and if that wasn’t enough, he put on a hitting display as well—collecting the first RBI of his career. 

But masked by the perfect temperatures and five-game winning streak, there was some trouble afoot. 

First baseman Mitch Moreland strained his left hamstring while attempting to beat out a bases loaded double play ground ball during the second inning.

He’s scheduled for an MRI today, but as of now, his status is listed as day-to-day.  I’d be surprised if he doesn’t require some time on the disabled list.  

You never want a player injured, but the reality is, it happens. And although Moreland is the team’s best first baseman, the Rangers will have no problems sliding in someone if Moreland misses time—Michael Young gets the start tonight.

On the hill for the Texas Rangers, it’s RHP Yu Darvish (8-4, 3.57 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 9.8 K/9). The Yu looks to complete the sweep of San Diego tonight, as he opposes RHP Anthony Bass (2-7, 4.88 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 7.9 K/9).

Tonight’s starting lineups:

San Diego Padres (24-45)

RF Will Venable

CF Cameron Maybin

Headley's batting .556 against the Rangers.

LF Mark Kotsay

3B Chase Headley

1B Yonder Alonso

SS Everth Cabrera

C John Baker

2B Alex Amarista

P Anthony Bass

Darvish

The Yu is coming off of one of his best starts this season.  He went eight innings, scattering seven hits and walked just two. Darvish tied a career-high with 11 strikeouts in the Rangers 6-2 win over the Houston Astros.

On the road, Darvish is 2-4 with a 3.98 ERA. At home, he has yet to lose (6-0, 3.15). Petco Park was just what Feldman needed to earn his first win of the year, so maybe some of that San Diego magic can help out The Yu too.

Right-handed batters hit: .203/.331/.364 with 5 HRs off of Darvish, whereas left-handers go: .259/.352/.365 with just two home runs.

Darvish’s eight innings in his last start were the second-most he’s pitched, and the first time he’d eight-plus since April 24 at home against the New York Yankees.

When Darvish can spot his fastball, he can use his elite-level repertoire of pitches to beat any team, anywhere. However, Darvish’s ridiculously high 5.1 BB/9 ratio indicates that his worst enemy is himself.

Hami was 2-for-5 last night with 2 RBI

Texas Rangers (42-27)

2B Ian Kinsler

1B Michael Young

CF Josh Hamilton

3B Adrian Beltre

RF Nelson Cruz

LF David Murphy

C Yorvit Torrealba (.312, 4 HRs at Petco Park)

SS Alberto Gonzalez (.195 BA, 1 HR at Petco)

P Yu Darvish

*Both Torrealba (2010) and Gonzalez (2011) used to play for the San Diego Padres.  Tonight will mark the first time Yu Darvish will bat as a big leaguer. 

Bass

24-year-old Anthony Bass was a fifth-round selection by the Padres during the 2008 Draft. 

Bass hasn’t won a game since the middle of May in Washington, D.C. against the Nationals.  He has a home ERA of 3.62 and is 1-2 at Petco Park this season.  On the road, he has struggled mightily with just one win (1-5) and a ghastly 6.00 ERA.

Right-handed batters and left-handed ones produce almost the exact same numbers off of Bass.  RHB: .250/.325/.400 with four home runs, and LHB: .250/.328/.433 with—you guessed it—four home runs.

What gets Bass into trouble is his occasional lack of command, hence his 3.6 BB/9.

Prediction time:

As we all know by now, when Yu Darvish gets ahead of batters, he’s almost unhittable. When he hit his rough patch this season, he was over-thinking and struggling with command of his fastball. 

He was excellent in his last start, and Petco Park is repressive enough on an offense that Darvish can get away with a few mistakes here and there. As long as he comes right after the Padres, I feel he’ll coast to his ninth win of the year.

Hamilton and company will continue to beat-up Padres pitchers and the Rangers win tonight.

@TMurrayHowell

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