The Rangers are finally healthy, and are steaming toward the playoffs. The club has the opportunity to hone his game on Saturday when Texas faces the Angels in the third game of a four-game series in Arlington.
For the Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton will be another opportunity to beat some of the rust that accumulated when he missed nearly a month with two broken ribs. Hamilton played six innings Friday for the first time since injuring his ribs on 4 September, when it collided with the wall. Hamilton went 0-for-3 in his return - what eventually became an Angels 5-4 in 11 innings - and elected to play center field. That will change on Saturday when he serves as the club's designated hitter against Angels right-hander Ervin Santana. The Rangers against with C. J. Wilson.
"I told [manager Ron Washington] that I would play six innings in center field [Friday]," said Hamilton. "I want to get into game mode. I do not want to DH, sit back and tighten. I want to be there to move."
Before the game on Friday, Hamilton said his ribs are feeling well, and outlined its objectives.
"It's good," said Hamilton. "It's been a while but ... I'm not anxious. I know how it feels. You'll feel good enough. I work on my schedule, have good at-bats and not hitting the walls."
Even with his time, Hamilton did not affect Santana and his career. Is 3-for-21 with two doubles. There can be hope, however. Santana was not at his best in his most recent appearance, when he allowed 10 hits and four runs in six innings. Is the goal to win No. 18 on Saturday.
Wilson was strong in his last outing, or giving up eight hits and six runs in five innings against the Mariners. He said he would regain his strong form of Texas goes to the playoffs. Wilson is scheduled to start Game 2 of the ALDS in the American League. After facing Seattle, Wilson said he was pleased with his control.
"Their goal is to get out there and be consistent," said Wilson. "I threw strikes tonight. I did not walk anyone. I walked a friend. That is obviously close to my personal brand."
Angels: Shields ending?
With a group of young relievers coming down the pike, the man out of the bullpen for the Angels could be veteran pitcher Scot Shields, the last member of the club of 2002 World Series club awards.
"I'm enjoying the last week, sitting out here with the kids," Shields said before the opening of the Halos series' against the Rangers. "I had a lot of great memories in my career, I made a lot of great friends in the club."
Shields has made 491 appearances in his career Angeles, accumulating an ERA of 3.18 and 21 saves. But despite his role as one of the relievers block club, Shields has remained under the radar. He said he looks forward to spending time with his family.
"I like to stay in the shade," he said. "I feel like I had some success here and so much fun doing -."
"Scot has just turned 35," Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "He's still throwing 90, 91 [mph]. He has life in his arm. If you look at their stuff, not bad. It's just not as dynamic as I was four, five years ago. He had a remarkable career. "
Rangers playoff roster freeze
The Rangers are assembling the list to be used in the ALDS. The club has already identified its four starters - Cliff Lee, Wilson, Colby Lewis and Tommy Hunter, in that order. But Washington has until after the end of the regular season to finish his team's bullpen and hitters.
"We will meet on Sunday," said Washington. "By then, we know what we do."
The Rangers are expected to carry seven relievers, which means you can fit 14 batters in the list. Among the seven arms of the bullpen, Texas, is almost certain to bring closer to Neftali Feliz, installation men Darren Oliver, Darren O'Day and Alexei Ogando. Dustin Nippert Right also seems safe, leaving two relief points at stake.
The Rangers are also trying to determine whether to take Chris Davis and Mitch Moreland as lefty-hitting first baseman. Davis has been battling the flu virus and has not been able to play a couple of days.
"I want to see, but not because he is sick can," said Washington.
It should be noted
The Rangers have 21 victories in his last at-bat this season, tied for fourth in the majors. ... In 79 of the Angels wins, have an ERA of 2.25 (537 2 / 3 innings, 135 runs) in his 81 losses with an ERA of 6.09 (467 1 / 3 innings, 316 earned runs).
The Rangers are finally healthy, and are steaming toward the playoffs. The club has the opportunity to hone his game on Saturday when Texas faces the Angels in the third game of a four-game series in Arlington.For the Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton will be another opportunity to beat some of the rust that accumulated when he missed nearly a month with two broken ribs. Hamilton played six innings Friday for the first time since injuring his ribs on 4 September, when it collided with the wall. Hamilton went 0-for-3 in his return - what eventually became an Angels 5-4 in 11 innings - and elected to play center field. That will change on Saturday when he serves as the club's designated hitter against Angels right-hander Ervin Santana. The Rangers against with C. J. Wilson.
"I told [manager Ron Washington] that I would play six innings in center field [Friday]," said Hamilton. "I want to get into game mode. I do not want to DH, sit back and tighten. I want to be there to move."
Before the game on Friday, Hamilton said his ribs are feeling well, and outlined its objectives.
"It's good," said Hamilton. "It's been a while but ... I'm not anxious. I know how it feels. You'll feel good enough. I work on my schedule, have good at-bats and not hitting the walls."
Even with his time, Hamilton did not affect Santana and his career. Is 3-for-21 with two doubles. There can be hope, however. Santana was not at his best in his most recent appearance, when he allowed 10 hits and four runs in six innings. Is the goal to win No. 18 on Saturday.
Wilson was strong in his last outing, or giving up eight hits and six runs in five innings against the Mariners. He said he would regain his strong form of Texas goes to the playoffs. Wilson is scheduled to start Game 2 of the ALDS in the American League. After facing Seattle, Wilson said he was pleased with his control.
"Their goal is to get out there and be consistent," said Wilson. "I threw strikes tonight. I did not walk anyone. I walked a friend. That is obviously close to my personal brand."
Angels: Shields ending?
With a group of young relievers coming down the pike, the man out of the bullpen for the Angels could be veteran pitcher Scot Shields, the last member of the club of 2002 World Series club awards.
"I'm enjoying the last week, sitting out here with the kids," Shields said before the opening of the Halos series' against the Rangers. "I had a lot of great memories in my career, I made a lot of great friends in the club."
Shields has made 491 appearances in his career Angeles, accumulating an ERA of 3.18 and 21 saves. But despite his role as one of the relievers block club, Shields has remained under the radar. He said he looks forward to spending time with his family.
"I like to stay in the shade," he said. "I feel like I had some success here and so much fun doing -."
"Scot has just turned 35," Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "He's still throwing 90, 91 [mph]. He has life in his arm. If you look at their stuff, not bad. It's just not as dynamic as I was four, five years ago. He had a remarkable career. "
Rangers playoff roster freeze
The Rangers are assembling the list to be used in the ALDS. The club has already identified its four starters - Cliff Lee, Wilson, Colby Lewis and Tommy Hunter, in that order. But Washington has until after the end of the regular season to finish his team's bullpen and hitters.
"We will meet on Sunday," said Washington. "By then, we know what we do."
The Rangers are expected to carry seven relievers, which means you can fit 14 batters in the list. Among the seven arms of the bullpen, Texas, is almost certain to bring closer to Neftali Feliz, installation men Darren Oliver, Darren O'Day and Alexei Ogando. Dustin Nippert Right also seems safe, leaving two relief points at stake.
The Rangers are also trying to determine whether to take Chris Davis and Mitch Moreland as lefty-hitting first baseman. Davis has been battling the flu virus and has not been able to play a couple of days.
"I want to see, but not because he is sick can," said Washington.
It should be noted
The Rangers have 21 victories in his last at-bat this season, tied for fourth in the majors. ... In 79 of the Angels wins, have an ERA of 2.25 (537 2 / 3 innings, 135 runs) in his 81 losses with an ERA of 6.09 (467 1 / 3 innings, 316 earned runs).