Rangers on a wire

We love us some Baltimore Oriole relievers

The Texas Rangers just don't think they're good enough.

The team made a pair of waiver-wire trades today by acquiring catcher Matt Treanor from the Kansas City Royals (who we just let them borrow for the season) and lefty reliever Mike Gonzalez from the Baltimore Orioles (we know have 2/7 of the Oriole bullpen ... was Don Aase not available?).

Matt Treanor
A classic, gritty, lunch-pail room guy, who is good for solid backstop play and about three big hits per year. The Rangers were sad to trade him before the season and are probably tickled to get him back. Evan Grant explained what Treanor provides, which I would think Taylor Teagarden could do if he were called up. Like it matters. Treanor was had for cash or a player to be named later.

Mike Gonzalez
Slightly surprised that the Rangers addressed their bullpen further. Gonzalez has a poor 4.27 ERA and a sad 1.38 WHIP. Gonzalez, hopefully, isn't here to get a lot of righties out. He's posted .211 against lefties with 26 strikeouts and four walks. In August, he's pitched 10 innings and struck out 15, walked no one, with a 0.00 ERA and a .091 BAA. Gonzalez should team with Darren Oliver to get lefties out. Oliver, as it stands, is having a potentially career year while pitching a career low in innings pitched. Gonzalez was had for a player to be named later.

For the record, Tim Wood was designated for assignment and Wilmer Font was transferred to the 60-day disabled list to make room for the pair.

Scooter

Scooter

The science of Scott Feldman is easy.

If the cutter's cutting, he can win.

We saw it in 2009 when he caught fire mid-season and won 17 games. We saw it in 2010 -- when it didn't cut -- and he went 7-11, lost his rotation spot and wound up on the disabled list (not that it had anything to do with it ... but in October, who was missing him?)

Last night the cutter cut. It was kept down in the zone. It resulted in 18 outs, 13 in groundball form. No ball landed safely out of the infield and he went one over the minimum (two Tampa baserunners were caught stealing).

It was the Rangers' 16th shutout -- 4-0 -- one short of the franchise record set in 1977.

Feldman's been relatively good this year after coming back to the Majors in July. His ERA sits at 2.86 despite a five-run effort in Chicago. Although, with a limited number of innings, ERAs get inflated or deflated. His WHIP is 0.95. Although also inflated from last night, his groundball-flyout ratio is 2:1.

Otherwise, the offense sucked. The Rangers have seven hits, five walks and a trillion scoring opportunities with proven guys at the plate and they stunk it up.

This is sort of a trend even with Nelson Cruz healthy. Things, frankly, haven't been the same since Adrian Beltre left the line-up (he went 1-4 in Round Rock last night, FYI).

Notes:
1. Josh Hamilton added a double and a mammoth home run. Second straight game with a dinger. We love MVP Josh.

2. Dave Murphy gets on base three times and drives in a run. Another guy that might be peaking at the right time. Seven hits in four games.

3. Can we discontinue home run distances? It's clearly something we can't get right and also something people are very passionate about.

4. Mike Adams, Mark Lowe and Darren Oliver combined for six outs on 18 pitches.

Waiting on Leonys Martin

Martin!

The Texas Rangers come off their day off to face the Tampa Bay Rays tonight at the Ballpark.

In conjunction with this and Nelson Cruz going on the disabled list, my favoritest thing in the world is happening:

Leonys Martin is coming to the Majors!

Martin, 23, signed earlier this season after defecting from Cuba. He started at Double A Frisco and tore things up (.348/.435/.571). He's since been promoted to Triple A Round Rock where he's slowed down some (.263/.316/.314).

What he does bring you is fantastic defense (an athletic centerfielder with an electric arm) and speed (19 steals). He's also probably your starting centerfielder next season.

Martin is a lefty, however. That leaves you with three lefty outfielders off the bench (Endy Chavez, David Murphy). Playing time is going to come down to Ron Washington. But I suspect fans will be very impressed.

****
What will help clear up things with injuries is the return of Adrian Beltre. He started a rehab stint in Round Rock going 1-4 through seven innings.

With Beltre coming back this weekend, probably, that will move Mike Young to either DH or first base and potentially allow the Rangers to put Mitch Moreland in right field if you need Mike Napoli and Yorvit Torrealba in the line-up. Lefty-heavy line-ups could have Nap at catcher, Martin, Moreland and Josh Hamilton in the outfield and Young at first.

Who knows or who cares? Nobody. Still, Beltre coming back is so huge and gigantic that it's not even really funny.

****
In 2008, the Texas Rangers made a very shrewd deal with the Minnsota Twins swapping veteran reliever Eddie Guardado for so-so pitching prospect with the very enticing name Mark Hamburger.

Hamburger's stuck. He was never a major prospect or anything and his value as a Major League guy was minimal and only as a reliever.

By all accounts, Hamburger will get the call sooner than later coming up, I guess, in September unless a roster move is coming.

Hamburger's been at Double A and Triple A all season. In his last four appearances, he's started. Although his season stats (3.39 ERA, 70 Ks, 82 IP) are not overly impressive, he's posted 0.99 ERA with 20 Ks and five walks in his last 10 appearances.

He's apparently been working on some secondary pitches. He's a big mother (6-4, 195) and has a mid-90s fastball.

****
With Nellie Cruz injured and out for three weeks, attention turned to the waiver wire.

Lance Berkman was passed through waivers without claim by the St. Louis Cardinals. Berkman is due like $1 million for the rest of the year and is a free agent. Being a Type A, he'd get you a couple of extra draft picks.

However, the Cardinals have no real need to trade him because he is cheap and they would get the picks if he left (which he probably won't). Anyway, Berkman would cost you if you're the Rangers. I think you start with Leonys Martin and work your way down.

My other question is where Berkman goes when everyone's healthy? Does this leave Mitch Moreland on the bench? It certainly handcuffs you with the catching situation and getting Mike Young in the line-up.

I just don't want this line-up to be a mixed bag depending on who is pitching. There needs to be consistency and roles.

As expected, Cowboys cut Andre Gurode, go young

Not making the cut: Andre Gurode

It happened on Saturday night, but it's official now.

Two days after Jerry Jones pretty much gave center Andre Gurode his pink slip before the pre-season game Saturday night on TV, the Cowboys made it official and cut him today.

The Cowboys will save $5.5 million.

For the record, that leaves Kyle Kosier as the oldest offensive lineman at 32. The average age of the probable O-linemen making this team: 25 years old.

I think Gurode's value is underrated, to be honest with you. He's been with the Cowboys for 10 seasons as guard and center. He hadn't missed a game in three seasons and just two in five seasons. Even after getting stomped on the face by Albert Haynesworth.

Gurode was a second rounder in 2002. He probably would have been cut in 2006 had Bill Parcells not repurposed him to center. It not only filled a void, but it made Gurode worthwhile and extended his career quite a bit.

I don't know if Gurode was ever really good. At guard he stank. He was a Pro Bowl center from 2006 through last year, although people that notice these things say he wasn't that great of a center.

Either way, he was useful and durable. He lasted a lot longer than most coaches.

Now, the Cowboys have their hands full. Phil Costa, the heir apparent, is out two to four weeks. That leaves Wisconsin rookie Bill Nagy and rookie free agent Kevin Kowalski (who played the entire game Saturday at center) as the fill-ins.

Ballsy move from Jones and the Cowboys.

The AFC South

Johnny U: Peyton who?

Predicting the NFL.

Predictions
AFC West

The AFC South: Is this the year someone actually lives up to expectations and puts Peyton Manning and Co. on the outside looking in for the playoffs?

I think its tough to say. I think Tennessee is a better team than you might think. The Texans are probably worse. The Jaguars maybe aren't as good.

Aren't all four teams the type that find a way to win when you don't think they have a chance? Isn't there too much talent in this division for it to be as bad as they seem?

How does a Houston team with the league's best running back, receiver and top 10 quarterback go 6-10? I don't care how bad their defense is, a very good offensive team should win eight games.

Bottomline: This is the division of Andre Johnson, Chris Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Arian Foster, Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne and Matt Schaub. They should not be that bad. Unfortunatley, none of them play defense.

Indianapolis Colts -- 10-6
They will find 10 wins in that schedule. Why is everyone freaking out about Peyton Manning? Isn't it clear that he simply didn't want to go through three pre-season games and three weeks of two-a-days? Why do you think Chris Johnson is holding out? Why did Brett Favre waffle all that time about coming back? These guys don't want to/don't need to practice. The problems are on defense (they might allow 24 points a game) and those pass catchers are getting old quickly (Wayne and Dallas Clark are each 32).

Tennessee Titans -- 9-7
I like the Titans, and here's why: They improved their quarterback situation by, about, 4000 percent; what's good for quarterback is good for Chris Johnson; this is a young, effective defense, especially up front; a favorable sked (Denver, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Carolina, Buffalo). For me, the quarterback situation is the biggest boon.

Houston Texans -- 8-8
How do you go 6-10 with a 4,000-yard quarterback, the league's leading rusher and the man of all men at receiver? Allow the second most points in the AFC (427). Also, learn to win at home (4-4). Well, the Mr. Fix It is in town. Wade Phillips may be a smarmy asshole of a head coach, but no one's doubted his ability at defensive coordinator. He'll bring some structure to the system and put guys (some of them really good players) in the right place at the right time. I have no doubt he'll turn this defense around. If he doesn't, I'm sure he'll blame someone else and point to the top 15 conference ranking in defense.

Jacksonville Jaguars -- 5-11
I dislike them because I think others in division will be better, there's too many red flags surrounding Maurice Jones-Drew's knees and legs, and I'm pretty sure I know three of their pass catchers. Also, the schedule (Jets, Saints, Steelers, Ravens, Chargers, Falcons) doesn't look all at that awesome for them.

Colbra Lewis strikes!

Colby Lewis can't lose ... well, he can

Delving into the Texas Rangers pitching staff.

This was a very important year for Colby Lewis in the big, grand picture of things.

He had to take 2011 and prove to the world that 2010 wasn't a fluke. That he wasn't a guy expelled to Japan only to catch lightning in the bottle. He had to prove the Rangers right the notion that he's not a Major League wrong.

Just taking things at face value, it feels like Lewis is having a pretty similar year as 2010. I know it doesn't feel like it, but Lewis wasn't a shining example of pitching a year ago. He wasn't Don Drysdale.

He allowed a lot of hits, a lot of runs, but he was a horse getting to 200 innings, being consistent and pitching great in the post-season.

Most of his numbers are on par with 2010. He's allowed a lot more home runs (31 this year, 21 last), his BAA is up (.244 this year, .227 last), but otherwise he's on pace to match or come close to a number of categories compared to last year.

The biggest differences I see are his numbers against lefties and his home-road splits.

Last season, Lewis was effective against righties and lefties.

Lefties hit in 2010:
.239 BAA - .695 OPS

Lefties hit in 2011:
.280 BAA - .855 OPS

The same tendency is happening with home-road splits. A year ago, he was consistent at the Ballpark and on the road. This year, he's it may explain a lot of the inconsistency. He's bad at the Ballpark:

At Ballpark in 2010:
3.41 ERA

Away in 2010:
3.95 ERA

At Ballpark in 2011:
5.56 ERA

Away in 2011:
2.71 ERA

As good as it feels for him to be excellent on the road, it's odd that he's is simply awful on the home field in front of the home fans.

Some other fun Lewis stats:

Pitches Per Inning
2010: 16.4
2011: 16

Strikeouts Per 9
2010: 8.78
2011: 7.34

Strikeout/Walk Ratio
2010: 3.02
2011: 2.92

Not huge changes. Interesting that we think Lewis is a little worse this year, yet so many statistics are relatively the same. Still, there's slight dips in a lot of areas.

This brings us to who is catching him. There is a method to Ron Washington's madness. Of Lewis' 27 starts, Yorvit Torrealba's caught all but three (those three going to Mike Napoli).

The breakdown:

	IP	Hits	RA	Runs	HRs	BBs	Ks	Record
Yorvit Torrealba	156.2	141	4.37	76	29	43	133	10.7.7
Mike Napoli	15.1	19	5.36	9	2	5	7	1-2-0
Total	172	160	4.46	85	31	48	140	11-9-7

We can't take too much from this. It's clear that Torrealba due to relationships, comfort or merely not overworking someone else is going to catch Lewis. There's not room to deviate from the idea that he'd be better with Napoli behind the plate.

I do know that Napoli was behind the disc during Lewis' shortest start (1.1 IP), but only after Torrealba caught his other shortest start (3.1 IP).

Also, when Lewis loses, he really loses. He has seven no-decisions and I count two in which he probably got screwed out of a win due to the bullpen or lack of run support. There's also another two losses that were well pitched, he just was unlucky.

Games like these

One of 92 during one of 162

I want to tell you that tonight's 9-5 win over the California Angels -- a series win -- won the Texas Rangers the American League West.

I wish I could tell you this three-game lead will hold up and we'll see another flag go up at the Ballpark and we'd face the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox in the American League Divisional Series.

I can't. Too much baseball to go. But as one dude Tweeted to Jamey Newber tonight: "This Game>1/162."

It was one of those nights. It was a night we've seen -- as Rangers fans -- a billion times the last decade. Except we were always on the other side of things.

Go up early, opponent comes back, opponent pounces on your mistakes they force upon you and opponent wins.

The Angels made it an annual ass-whipping on the Rangers by running the bases, taking another 90 feet and forcing the Rangers to make mistakes.

Tonight, the Angels were caught twice stealing and committed three errors in the loss. This being the game that the Angels moved Jered Weaver up to pitch so we wouldn't get to feast on Tyler Chatwood or Jerome Williams or whoever the Angels would have thrown out there.

And it failed. It was as good of a game as we've seen at the Ballpark in a long time. A semi-good crowd. Some fantastic pitching considering the strike zone and the intensity of the game. Some plays at the play. Some defense, a lot of offense and a sweet, sweet victory.

I agree, Twitter guy: This game>1/162.

Notes:
1. Yorvit Torrealba with his fifth homer of the season. Somewhat surprising he hasn't hit more consider his 26 doubles and the times he's seem to have driven the ball hard into the gaps.

2. Three straight games and Dave Murphy has big hits in all three. With Nellie Cruz probably out, the Rangers need Murph to get hot. Tonight's knock was a lead-off double. He'd score on an Ian Kinsler single.

3. Ron Washington may be a crazy son of a bitch. But he's our crazy son of a bitch. Pinch hitting Endy Chavez for Craig Gentry to the tune of a two-RBI single is so genius, it hurts.

4. I don't care what you think or say, Colby Lewis has pitched his ass off in two straight starts. He shows me more when he gets roughed up a little than when he's cooking. The dude battles.

5. With that said, the Rangers haven't had an easy inning in two weeks. They were due for that eighth and ninth.

6. Ian Kinsler with 92 runs on the season.

The dress rehearsal

Vic Butler: See explanation below

The Dallas Cowboys are 2-1. At least in the pre-season, which is maybe all fans will get this year.
They beat the Minnesota Vikings 23-17 in the vital third pre-season game, the dress rehearsal.

Probably like any game, there are things to like and things to hate.

Honestly, I don't know if I've been more interested in a Cowboys pre-season due to the sheer amount of young guys vying for real positions on this team and the many battles going on in camp. Things have never been this wide open since Jimmy Johnson was head coach.

Bottomline: No one's safe.

I count position battles at wide receiver, running back, kicker, offensive line, tight end, defensive line and cornerback.

Also, I think these guys are in trouble of not being a Dallas Cowboy for much longer:

Andre Gurode
As I posted yesterday, I'm pretty sure Jerry Jones cut Gurode on TV, an hour before the game. Not only have Phil Costa and Bill Nagy gotten significant time at center, but Kevin Kowalski played the entire game last night. That's three young guys that, apparently, can do what Gurode does.

Martellus Bennett
I, sadly, didn't get my apologetic Tweet from Marty-B last night after he dropped another pass. What's worse is that he got hurt blocking and probably has a high ankle sprain, and we know how those go. For all intents and purposes, I do think Bennett's lost his spot on this team, although he might not get cut for a good long while, even next year. Depending on the injury, of course. Problem is, there was thought that the Cowboys might not keep a fullback and take three or four tight ends using John Phillips as the fullback spot. With Marty-B out, I assume that would require the Cowboys keeping a fullback.

David Buehler
Dan Bailey made field goals of 37, 38 and 41 yards. Enough said.

Tashard Choice/Lonyae Miller
Disregarding special teams for a second, Miller has clearly been passed up by Phillip Tanner and I don't know if I can't say the same for Choice. DeMarco Murray was strong last night as was Tanner for the third straight pre-season game. If you are keeping Murray and Felix Jones, how do you take Tanner into the office and cut him? Choice was screwed by two strong runs brought back by penalty. He might make another team very happy.

On to folks I noticed and folks I didn't:

The Defense
Did they play? I realize the starting defense allowed just 10 points and tallied a turnover, but Donovan McNabb went 12-18 for 164 yards and a touchdown and Adrian Peterson averaged 5.8 yards on 14 carries. The starting D was gashed all night and that's very concerning. Or it should be. Of course, Rob Ryan doesn't remember any pre-season games.

Jesse Holley
Caught three passes, mostly with the first-team offense, including a huge first down. Is this guy becoming a permanent fixture on this team?

Gerald Sensabaugh
For the second straight week, Sensabaugh was a prominent individual. He blocked the field goal that resulted in a touchdown and he intercepted McNabb off a deflection. Maybe playing with a chip on his shoulder after not getting the big money he thought he deserved in the "off-season"?

Offensive Line
Had their moments -- both good and bad. At times, I saw defensive linemen seemingly coming free and easy. Other times, Tony Romo had time to throw. I think there's more good than bad. Surprising considering three rookies started.

Victor Butler
Did you see the play when he sacked Joe Webb? I think it was the third quarter, Webb (the speedster) had torn up the Cowboys already for a touchdown and several long runs. On this play, Butler beats his man, but Webb is elusive. He side steps and jukes a little. Butler reacts, which would typically give the quarterback the room and time to make a move elsewhere or throw the ball away. Instead, Butler burst throught and -- much to the surprise of Webb -- made the sack forcing an eventual punt. Brilliant, athletic play.

Jason Hatcher
Frequently got after the quarterback. Tipped McNabb's pass in zone coverage that resulted in the interception.

Aggies getting restless

Just over that Hilltop

We've heard this before.

The Texas A&M Aggies are reportedly going to let the Big XII know that it's leaving.

This after the same report came down the pike two weeks ago and it turned out that the SEC wasn't too interested then. Maybe they are now.

Rumors abound at who the Big XII might go after to fill the void left by Nebraska, Colorado and, presumably, A&M. One that hasn't been truly discussed is SMU.

SMU came out this week and expressed interest in joining a BCS-qualifying conference (see: Big XII). SMU is not ready and would get its block knocked off week after week.

However, the Baylor used to get their hides tanned frequently and are now a decent, challenging opponent. SMU sees where college football is going and they want in with the big boys now before everything goes all super-conference-y.

SMU, not unlike A&M, is not looking to win games against easy opponents. They are looking to the future.

In petty news, Texas has stated that if A&M moves to another conference, that the "rivalry" game would be kaput.

If I'm A&M, I point to games against LSU, Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Arkansas and say, "We don't need you anymore."

The last laugh is with A&M.

Did Jerry Jones just cut Andre Gurode on TV?

Got the exhiliarating "Countdown to Kickoff" on the TV as the Dallas Cowboys prepare to take on the Minnesota Vikings in the very important pre-season game No. 3.

Interviewing GM and owner Jerry Jones, Mickey Spagnola and Steve Dennis didn't ask about Andre Gurode, the veteran center who's missed a lot of camp due to injury and being fat.

Spagnola and Dennis didn't ask. But they got an answer.

Jones went straight into an ominous rant that Gurode was not suited up, but was at the game, and that they would go back to Dallas and discuss things. Jones said it was a "cap" issue. Jones also extoled the play of the injured Phil Costa and Kevin "Killer" Kowalski.

Effectively, and I might be reading too much into this, but I think Gurode just got cut.

Babe Laufenberg was asked about it, and he referenced 1989 when Herschel Walker got four carries in the first half of a game. Wondering why he was used so sparingly, Laufenberg realized that maybe Walker wasn't going to be a Cowboy for long. He wasn't. He was traded to Minnesota the next day.

Gurode is 32 and making $5.5 million this year and $6.5 million next.

Costa, Kowalski and rookie Bill Nagy all make less.

Cowboys-Vikings

Go pre-season!

The third pre-season game is called the dress rehearsal in the NFL.

Starters typically get two or three quarters on the field, they play to win and if they suck here there's a better than zero chance that they are going to suck for the next 20 weeks.

The Dallas Cowboys need something. A spark. A jumpstart. A kick in the ass. Something. Despite the meaningless of the two pre-season games, there's a ton to worry about if you're a Cowboys fan. A lot that needs fixed if there are any thoughts of going 10-6 and making some kind of run.

Tonight is that night. Here's what you might want to see:

Left Guard
It's been a revolving door of David Arkin and Bill Nagy. Now, Phil Costa's out for six weeks and fatso Andre Gurode is back in the mix, after it was kinda hinted that maybe Costa is the starting center. That might put Nagy in as the back-up center. Seems logical to keep him safe and sound on the bench and start Arkin, who seems to be the leader in the clubhouse anyway. Left guard will be a position to watch from now on.

Defensive Line
Remember a couple of weeks ago when defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said he'd never remembered a pre-season game? Well, unfortunately the media and fans are paying attention. Things look shitty. Ryan admitted last week that he "got cute" with his calls against San Diego. Ahhh. Cute. Defenses are meant to be cute. Kittens and unicorns are cute. Not DeMarcus Ware. As bad as we think the secondary has been, I think it all goes back to the front seven. There is zero pressure on the quarterback and gaping holes for the opposing running game. It's time to quit being cute and get real. Ryan needs to understand that we had the biggest shit-talking turd in as defensive coordinator for four seasons. We've seen it. We know what it smells like.

Kicker
David Buehler still has a bad hip. If Shayne Graham wants to work again, this might be his best opportunity. I don't think the Cowboys are married to either Buehler or Dan Bailey. It will not take much to get the Cowboys to fall in love -- a little flirting, some smooches and a 43-yarder should do it.

Back-Up Running Back
DeMarco Murray and Tashard Choice are allegedly coming back from injury. Choice needs this. Despite the starting running back heading to free agency, Choice has still found himself in the No. 3 spot. And he has Lonyae Miller and Phillip Tanner on his heels. Those latter three need a fruitful evening.

Kick Returner
Who's doing this again? Why can't the Cowboys get this right? Remember way back when, back when the Cowboys took Terence Newman, Dez Bryant, Felix Jones, Isaiah Stanback, Skyler Green and Akwasi Owusu-Ansah in their respective drafts with all the rhetoric of how they were going to be the next great kick returner. Either they became too important to stick out their or they sucked. Now it's a new crop of Owusu Ansah, Murray and Dwayne Harris that are supposed to revolutionize special teams and field position. The Cowboys are dumb enough to not get one in 10, right?

Beat down

The Bitch

Just when we thought it was all going to fall apart, it pulls itself back together again.

For one night, at least. That's all we ask.

Riding a six-game win streak, the California Angels arrived into north Texas with the idea of pitching their aces -- Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana -- on three days' rest.

Dan Haren had his usual five days, and it didn't help him in the least tonight. The Rangers won 11-7 and chased Haren in the fifth.

Everything the Rangers were unable to do against the Boston Red Sox this week, they did tonight.

They bashed Haren relentlessly and then went after Jerome Williams for another four runs. In my opinion, it was the offense that suffered the most at the hands of the Red Sox. Yes, the pitching was bad, but the hitting was worse.

It resulted in Nellie Cruz getting knocked down to seventh in the line-up. Like always, Ron Washington's voodoo worked. He went 4-5 with two homers, a double and six RBI. Mike Young had three hits. Dave Murphy had three hits and a grand slam. Mith Moreland had a pair of doubles.

From top to bottom, they showed there wasn't an easy out in the bunch.

As for the pitching, Derek Holland was sensational, exactly what you'd want out of your No. 5 starter in a vital game. Pitched into the seventh, allowing a run, two walks and striking out six.

Most importantly, Holland kept the Angels at bay all night. As the Red Sox perpetually scored early in the game, the Angels scored one in the seventh. For six full innings, the Rangers offense had the opportunity to bury them. And they did.

The lead, now, is three games in the AL West. Need one of the next two.

Gettin' paid: Orlando Scandrick

O-Scan

The Dallas Cowboys opened the ol' checkbook yesterday and handed over five years and $26.2 million for an extension for cornerback Orlando Scandrick.

Personally, a bit of a surprise because of the timing and the amount of cash Jerry Jones has doled out over the past three years to re-up guys like Miles Austin, Jay Ratliff, DeMarcus Ware, Tony Romo and others. He's been an ATM internally. Otherwise, it's been free agency sessions of little action or reward. Pay-off, so to speak.

Scandrick, I think, is considered a good talent, the only guy that can handle covering the slot receivers. Due to this, he's been really unable to unseat the "starters" Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins, who can't do as well in the slot.

Some probably think Scandrick took a step back a year ago, which could be said for the entire secondary. Which makes you think that if Scandrick is getting extended after a bad year, just how good or bad are the others?

I believe this spells the end for Terence Newman. At this point, Scandrick is the highest paid slot corner in the league. He wouldn't be the highest paid outside corner in the league, however.

Newman, soon to be 33, is signed through 2014 and is making $8 million this season, $6 million in 2012, $7.6 million in 2013 and $7.5 million in his final year. An awful contract. This, due to the fact that he hasn't made a signficant play in four seasons and is perpetually hurt.

Jenkins is 26 and is still laboring under his rookie deal ($920K this year, $1 million next and then free in 2013). No doubt, he's bristling at Scandricks new cash. Maybe motivation for him in 2011?

Tail between our legs

Rumbling

I'm not going to say that I didn't feel better a week ago than I do today.

Beating up on the Angels is a lot better than losing to the Boston Red Sox.

This city loves to freak out and they will.

"Have the pitchers hit a wall?" "Is this line-up any good?" "This bullpen sucks!" "This team will never win another game!"

The same people that thought the division was gift wrapped a week ago are the same retards blathering this tripe this week.

It's two games and the Rangers have the shot at splitting the series against one of the best teams in the league tonight. If they don't, they get three this weekend against the Angels.

It's a 2.5 game lead. It's still a lead and the Angels still need to keep winning. Freaking out after game No. 15, 35, 55 or 105 didn't do any good and freaking out now won't.

This series, actually, reminds me a lot of the New York Mets series. At the Ballpark, the Rangers are riding a little wave, the Rangers game game No. 1 and then get their asses beat the other two.

Any time a pitcher in the Majors grooves 90 mph fastballs with no movement down the middle of the plate, every team (from the Seattle Mariners to the New York Yankees) will hit it and hit it hard.

Two straight nights the BoSox have hit it and hit it hard. Every time. We're dealing with an ugly concurrence of predictably mediocre pitching and a team that's hot. A team that's paid to punish so-so pitching.

And it's not like the Rangers line-up is doing much of anything to keep up anyway. Good luck keeping the Red Sox to two runs or less every game.

Buck up, assholes. The sun will come out tomorrow.

Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart: Kicker or why can't they get this right?

Shayne Graham: Somebody needs a hug

With that nasty lockout over and done with, we begin our expedited trip through the Dallas Cowboys roster. One position at a time.

Depth Chart:
Quarterback
Running Back
Wide Receiver
Offensive Line
Tight End
Defensive Line

I don't know, over the past 15 years, what exactly the Dallas Cowboys have gotten right.

Kicker ain't one of them.

The Cowboys' kickers the last 10 years alone: Tim Seder, Jon Hilbert (!), Jose Cortez, Billy Cundiff, Martin Gramatica, Mike Vanderjagt, Nick Folk, Shaun Suisham, Nick Folk and David Buehler.

Shayne Graham or Dan Bailey may be added to the roll call. Graham was signed yesterday.

It's unclear the purpose. Buehler is hurt. Maybe it's to provide competition for Bailey as place kicker. Maybe Graham is a legit option.

Nonetheless, when your last consistently good -- year-to-year -- is Billy Cundiff, you have to start reconsidering things. Good teams aren't scrambling for kickers. The Cowboys are not a good team.

David Buehler
The cocky placekicker missed eight field goals a year ago and is suffering from a hip flexor already in camp. Buehler's value -- distance in kick offs -- is undone due to the kick off spot moving up to the 35-yard-line. Clearly, the Cowboys are considering all angles in fixing the kicking situation and Buehler may not be in the cards.

Dan Bailey
The rookie out of Oklahoma State currently giving Buehler all the competition he can handle in camp. A hot start has waned over the last two weeks as misses have become more frequent. Is it possible for the Cowboys to have three rookie kickers in four years?

Shayne Graham
Was cut by the Washington Redskins last week. Graham was 12-12 replacing Stephen Gostkowski in New England last season. Although, he attempted just one kick more than 40 yards. For six years, Graham was as solid as they come as a Cincinnati Bengal topping out at 131 points in a season. In 2009, his percentage dipped to 82 percent and in the wild card round of the playoffs he missed two easy field goals in a 24-14 loss to the New York Jets. He was not re-signed. Why Graham can't get a gig in two straight years is a mystery. He's not as long as he once was, but if the Cowboys hit 40-year field goals with regularity, they are going to win some games.

The AFC West

Jack Tatum: Badass

Predicting the NFL.

San Diego Chargers -- 11-5
All but two of their losses a year ago were by more than a touchdown. Several were just a field goal. A fine line between 9-7 and 11-5. I think they make up that difference this year. I think. Another reason I think they pick up two games is injuries. They never got more than 10 games from either Antonio Gates, Malcolm Floyd and just five from Vincent Jackson. They didn't figure out the running game situation (Mike Tolbert-Ryan Mathews) until halfway through the season. Somehow, Philip Rivers had 4,700 yards passing with no 1,000-yard receivers (leading receiver was Gates with 782 yards). Won seven of last nine a year ago.

Kansas City Chiefs -- 9-7
Have you seen the ages of this playoff team from a year ago? About six guys in their 30s. None of them are key guys. Every very important player on this team is in their 20s. It's hard to judge their 10-6 year properly playing in the mediocre and they had an incredibly easy schedule. Their wins last year: San Diego, Cleveland, San Francisco, Jacksonville, Buffalo, Arizona, Seattle, Denver, St. Louis and Tennessee. Two total playoff teams and they beat one (Seattle). Still think they are very talented and 10 wins will be a lot harder to get to.

Oakland Raiders -- 7-9
Can they survive another season with their leading receiver (Zach Miller), top corner (Nnamdi Asomugha) and zero quarterback production? A flukey 6-0 division record skews their 8-8 last year. Enough bums on the sked to get them close to .500.

Denver Broncos -- 3-13
The Broncos can't defend. Allowed the most points in the AFC. Addressed the defense to the nth degree in the draft. Little else has been done to improve things. Their best bet is to keep things close at home and hope the offense provides something. Thinking if things go sourly early that Kyle Orton will find himself on the bench to see Tim Tebow and Brady Quinn get snaps. A franchise in turmoil.

Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart: Defensive Line

Jay-Jay

With that nasty lockout over and done with, we begin our expedited trip through the Dallas Cowboys roster. One position at a time.

Depth Chart:
Quarterback
Running Back
Wide Receiver
Offensive Line
Tight End

Jay Ratliff
Someone's in a contract year. Not that Ratliff needs motivation, but he's going to bring the pain this season. Speculation if he'll ever be moved to the end being so "small" at nose tackle. Quite the sixth-round draft pick from ... Bill Parcells.

Igor Olshansky
Frankly, he could be cut any day. He is a Wade Phillips guy. Oddly, Phillips really had little input into the defensive personnel. Phillips guys include Olshansky and linebacker Keith Brooking. The only other free agent personnel brought on board was Gerald Sensabaugh, and he was more of a Dave Campo guy having coached him in Jacksonville. I wonder if Phillips is a little bitter that he was given Parcells' groceries to do the cooking?

Marcus Spears
An underwhelming seven pro years. Although, I don't think he's awful. Not a shining endorsement, for sure. I don't know what to make of him. You get the feeling that the Cowboys let him walk had they scored on Stephen Bowen or another free agent. Spears is a necessity because he's used to the defense and someone known. He's also apparently a sweet guy. He also kinda looks like "Bunk" from The Wire.

Kenyon Coleman
As Phillips got two of his "guys" in three years, Rob Ryan already has two. Coleman was the first, a former Cleveland Brown came over in free agency. He's actually a former Cowboy, who I conveniently forgot about. Too many draft day busts along the defensive line to remember. Already getting starting snaps in practice in place of Olshansky.

Jason Hatcher
Like Spears, I don't think the Cowboys were too hot on Hatcher. He tested the waters and found Dallas was as good as anywhere else. I think he got severely low balled by other teams and came back with his tail between his legs. Hatcher is a guy that shows you a little something and then disappears. He's an athlete and not so much a space eater. Let's see if he earns his meager pay.

Sean Lissemore
Played in two games last year, but missed most of the season due to a high ankle sprain. The seventh-round draft pick is getting a lot of snaps and a lot of looks. A big mook (6-4, 305 listed) eats up a lot of space, he's young (turns 24 Sept. 1) and cheap. Could prove to be a valuable back-up this year.

Josh Brent
Bob "Sports" Sturm has preached the gospel of Josh Brent for six months. Like Lissemore, he might prove to be the undoing of some of this team's veterans either this year or next. It's hard not to notice Brent along the line. He's 318 pounds. Got to admit, I notice his play. And he looks like a total badass.

Clifton Geathers
Geesh. Listed at 6-7 and 315. I include him here despite the possibility of him being pushed out (do you take eight defensive linemen into the season?) because I've actually seen him make plays along the line in the pre-season. Seems to be around the ball. He's a former Cleveland Brown (although he was cut).

The death of The Wave

Euthanize The Wave

No singular topic (outside of the Dallas Cowboys' running back situation) has captured the attention of Dallas-Fort Worth sports fans more than The Wave.

Yes. The Wave.

A stout anti-Wave movement has started on Twitter amongst baseball snobs and it's leaked into the Ballpark's doings.

This story details actual messages inside the Ballpark playfully commenting on the facility being a "No Wave" zone. Chuck Morgan, who has much more of a sense of humor than the rest of the Metroplex, says he's just making fun. Considering the biggest anti-Wave proponent is Dallas Morning News scribe Evan Grant.

There are three inherent problems with The Wave:

1. It shows that you are not interested in the game. The Wave isn't some sort of tool used to pump up the team or the fans. It's a distraction to the fan. It's like a piece of string in front of a cat. Mostly, The Wave is started by kids or women. Or female kids. I sat through a game two weeks ago while about a dozen boys behind me attempted to start The Wave over a period of seven innings. They were also hopped up on Skittles. The Wave is a sign of an ignorant fanbase. With that in mind ...

2. You do not see The Wave in New York, Chicago, Boston or St. Louis. These are considered either baseball cities or cities with knowledgeable baseball fans.

3. The final problem with The Wave is timing. When the Rangers beat the Minnesota Twins at the Ballpark last month 20-6, that was a perfectly time to do The Wave, if it must be done.

The problem with Rangers fans is that they are still young and largely ignorant, which shouldn't be a total knock. The Rangers haven't been good and a lot of people needed them to get good in order to invest in the franchise. It's fun going to games with 35,000 people in the stands. But it's Pygmalion. The street lady doesn't know how to act in high society.

I don't expect a guy that thought the Seattler Mariners would take Chris Davis and Andres Blanco for Felix Hernandez (this really was something said at a Rangers game this season) to know when to do The Wave.

The Wave should not be done while the Rangers are pitching. The Wave should not be done before the seventh inning. The Wave should not be done in a close game (say, five runs or less). The Wave should not be done if the Rangers are even remotely being dominated. The Wave should not be done if the Rangers are rallying or amid a flurry of hits and runs.

Or, The Wave should not be done at all. Just cover all the bases, so to speak.

D for defense

On the back side

Did you see Ian Kinsler's play on that final out last night? Cripes.

That's like an RBI single. It took away a run, finished the game and maybe prevented the Boston Red Sox from scoring any more.

Any notion that the Rangers are all pitching and offense is ridiculous. Yes, they can cut down on the errors (a lot of them are fundamental plays being screwed up ... not balls being misplayed that most fielders can't get to), but this team changes the way an opponent plays. Going first to third is not an easy proposition. A ball hit into the hole is not an automatic single. Triples are cut down to doubles and doubles to singles.

Look at other teams. They lose games all the time and it's not just always bad pitching or errors that bite them in the ass. They lose because they don't have an Ian Kinsler at second, Elvis Andrus at shortstop or Josh Hamilton in centerfield.

For most teams, that play is an RBI single and it's 4-1 with the reliever struggling with command and runners at first and third.

Instead, it was a fantastic grab, a better throw and ballgame. 4-0 and the Rangers are back beating up on the Boston Red Sox. The Rangers have won 10 of 13 against Boston in Arlington the last two years. It doesn't hurt that David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis are out. Or that Erik Bedard was on the mound.

It didn't hurt having C.J. Wilson on the mound either. He's 4-0 with a 1.08 ERA against Boston in five career starts. It's the Rangers' 15 shutout on the season, the most since 1977 when they had 17.

Notes:
1. Loving Mike Napoli when his eyes light up against left-handed pitching. He has an 11-game hit streak. Six homers in August. A .602 slugging against lefties (although, he's not awful against righties).

2. Craig Gentry do what he do. Third inning walk. Gets moved around and scores. He's just a good baseball player.

3. Mike Adams is such a Billy Badass.

4. Four-game series against Boston. Neftali Feliz is pitching in 4-0 game? Throws 23 pitches. Remember this on Thursday.

5. If people are going to scoreboard watch California-Baltimore, then we should look at the overall standings in the American League. Rangers are seven back in the loss column to New York and five back of the Red Sox. That could change. Don't think that home-field advantage in the playoffs doesn't matter.

Guilty as Charged

"Fuck it. I'm running."

The wonderful thing about pre-season football is that when you win, you feel like you can go 17-0.

When you lose, they don't count. Last night didn't count for the Dallas Cowboys, losing to the San Diego Chargers 20-7.

Unless you've just woken up, the entire spotlight is on Rob Ryan and the starting defense. Two pre-season games against supposedly rusty offenses and two pre-season games of long drives, points (20 in four drives) and blown everything.

Ryan stated before the first pre-season tilt that he didn't remember a single pre-season game. Needless to say, Cowboys fans will not let him forget these.

I take all of this with a grain of salt, but you also want the defense to play better. It's not just that the ball is being moved up and down the field, it's wide-open receivers, gaping holes in the offensive line, zero pressure and a cacophony of other crap. It's also a defensive coordinator that seems to not really care. Like there's a "reset" button somewhere.

On the other hand, they are without their starting cornerbacks (entirely too much Alan Ball in the NFL these days) ... and, well, that's all the silver lining I had.

On to people I noticed:

Running Backs
Went ahead and lumped Felix Jones, Lonyae Miller and -- the new fan favorite -- Phillip Tanner. Jones has looked good for two straight weeks. After last night, Jason Garrett said that he looked good in spite of the offensive line. Jones seemed to have a burst through the hole, he cut really well changing directions and just seemed to be going forward.

Miller could not have impressed less. The bowling ball we heard so much about from practices (practice!!!!?????!!!!) had six carries for nine yards ... and a fumble. Killer. Have fun on the practice squad.

What Miller should have done is had his helmet ripped off and ran for a touchdown that didn't count (for two different reasons). Did you know that once the ball carrier's helmet is ripped off, it's a dead ball? Must be new. Imagine Jason Witten's storied catch and run being cut down 25 yards shorter. Disgrace!!! ANYWAY, as Miller has looked bad for two weeks, Tanner's been a breath of fresh air. That called-back touchdown run automatically sent a charge through every fan in the building. Only Cowboys fans get super excited about plays that don't count.

Stephen McGee
You have to wonder what the Cowboys are doing with Jon Kitna. McGee's done nothing but move the ball. I get maybe keeping Kitna if you really think you can win the Super Bowl and you need a veteran to win you two games after Tony Romo jams his pinky finger. But the Cowboys are not winning the Super Bowl (probably ... I said the same about the Mavericks) and McGee's shown us a little something. The kid has moxy. I like that.

Tyron Smith
Attending the game, it was hard to notice the offensive line play. I did notice on a Cowboys gain the rookie out of USC pancaking a lineman, pouring syrup on him and eating him alive.

Drops
Several were noticed. Dez Bryant on the first drive. Martellus Bennett on another.

Tony Romo's Interception
I'd love a two-page essay on what Romo saw outside of a Charger's defender standing in front of his receiver. Gunslinger.

Vincent Jackson Climbing My Fantasy Draft Board

Barry Church
Making plays. Noticed him -- all good -- about three or four times. He was making the team anyway. Let's see if he's the starting safety in a year.

Gerald Sensabaugh
A forced fumble, a near interception.

Josh Brent/Sean Lissemore
Meaty. Bulky.

Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart: Tight End

Now that is a stiff arm

With that nasty lockout over and done with, we begin our expedited trip through the Dallas Cowboys roster. One position at a time.

Depth Chart:
Quarterback
Running Back
Wide Receiver
Offensive Line

Jason Witten
Did you know the Dallas Cowboys have just two pass catchers with more than 500 receptions? Michael Irvin and Jason Witten. The latter is 133 receptions from catching the former for most all-time. He will more than likely not get it this season, but 2012 he will get close to several franchise records. Yet, he's just 29 years old. He's going to bury the franchise records. For the record, Terrell Owens is below Kelvin Martin in receptions and Miles Austin will probably bound into the top 15.

Martellus Bennett
Shit-or-get-off-the-pot time for the former Aggie. In three seasons, he's caught 68 balls for 702 yards. He's a beast, no doubt, and his blocking ability is really good. Unfortunately, you don't spend second-round picks on blocking tight ends. And you hate to see 6-6, 267-pound behemoths wasting away chip blocking defensive ends.

John Phillips
When he's not singing high harmony for the Mamas and Papas, he's driving the hopes of Cowboys fans. He's caught seven balls in the NFL and we can't wait to see him play 16 games. All thanks to a sweet end to the 2009 season and sparks of brilliance in the 2010 pre-season before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Either he's talented or we're sick of Bennett.

The Bitch

The Bitch

The Texas Rangers landed at 5 a.m. this morning in Chicago.

Josh Hamilton's mammoth bomb in the sixth inning of the 7-4 win against the Pale Hose still hasn't.

What looked like a comedy of errors for the first five innings turned into a relatively easy win as the White Sox had trouble keeping pace and Jake Peavy fell apart.

There was Josh Hamilton missing the cut-off man on a throw home allowing Alexei Ramirez to advance. There was Yorvit Torrealba with the errant throw to second on a Juan Pierre stolen base where an accurate throw gets the out. There was a pair of walks to Paul Konerko and Gordon Beckham (hitting .196 against lefties) that turned into runs off Matt Harrison. There was a critical missed catch by Elvis Andrus on a sure-fire force at second.

Then it all turned. Mike Young with a two-out single to break up the Peavy no-hitter. A two-out RBI double by Nelson Cruz. Walk to Mike Napoli.

Three-run dinger by Mitch "The Bitch" Moreland. Two innings later, a two-run dong from The Bitch.

His nickname isn't an indictment on him. It's what he is to every opposing pitcher. He's a bitch. He fouls pitches off, drives mistakes 400 feet, draws walks and makes pitchers keep making pitches until they get him out or he gets on base.

Two homers, five RBI. He's got nine hits in last four games.

Exhaustion? What exhaustion? This is the way baseball go.

Notes:
1. Mike Napoli has a nine-game hit streak. Thanks to two walks, his on-base percentage .389.

2. Bullpen is solid. Yoshi Tateyama went 2.2 allowing a walk and that's it. Threw 35 pitches. He's getting a lot of outs (failing to allow a hit in 5 innings) with a little brains. If the rest of the league is figuring it out, it's not showing. He's as sharp as ever.

3. See. Mike Adams is really, really good.

4. Speaking of, Neftali Feliz needed 10 pitches to get his three outs.

5. I'd never have believed if you told me Mitch Moreland and Josh Hamilton would be tied for home runs (16) and Elvis Andrus would lead the galaxy in errors.

6. Twenty games over and six up on Angels.

Charles Haley?

We all wanted to suck his dick

The Dallas Cowboys added three to their vaunted Ring of Honor.

Two I get, the other I don't.

Offensive lineman Larry Allen, receiver Drew Pearson and defensive end Charles Haley were named to the organizational honor.

Drew Pearson
His stats are not going to bowl you over. He's from a different generation. He retired in 1983 just as Jerry Rice and others were breaking into the league. Before Michael Irvin came around, Pearson was the greatest receiver in Cowboys history. All 11 years were spent with the Cowboys and won a Super Bowl in 1977. Totaled 489 catches snad 7,822 receiving yards. Before Irvin, Pearson was first in catches and second in yards for the franchise. He was also such a hallmark name for the organization and all of those moments with Roger Staubach. Most worthy.

Larry Allen
When was Allen's rookie year? Try 1994. The Cowboys had already won two Super Bowls before they drafted Allen out Sonoma State in the second round. Arguably one of the top two or three offensive linemen in franchise history. Played 12 seasons for the Cowboys and won a Super Bowl in 1995. Six straight first-team All Pro appointments. Eleven Pro Bowls and probably the best offensive lineman in the NFL for his era.

Charles Haley
First and foremost, there is little doubt that the 1990s Dallas Cowboys do not win three Super Bowls without Charles Haley. He was arguably the best free agent signing in Dallas sports history. He brought a totally different angle to the Cowboys' defense. Give Jim Jeffcoat a probably another five years in the league.

But the Ring of Honor? Played five seasons with the Cowboys and his final year was cut short by injuries playing only five games. His tenure here is more than wrought with as much off-the-field bullshit as anyone. Pulling out his dick all the time, intimidating coaches and players and even throwing a helmet at Jerry Jones for not signing Emmitt Smith.

An immense talent, but Haley is not worthy for this organization's highest honor. This is Jones latching onto the 1990s. Next, Ron Gant and Clayton Holmes will be inducted.

Haley's inclusion comes as a slap in the face to one guy that has not been included: Jimmy Johnson.

Name me someone that's more worthy. You can't. So suck it.

Minor Threat 7.0

Sarah Shahi, looking comfy

A sometimes weekly look -- when I want, basically -- at the Texas Rangers' farm system. A glance, really.

Good news: Omar Beltre is rehabbing, all the kids are getting work, Mike Olt is coming back.

Round Rock Express
Jose Ruiz was bumped from Double A. Is hitting .300 early on. He's 26 and he hit Frisco pretty well (.275/.344) with 27 doubles and 12 homers. I don't know if the Rangers consider him anything more than a place filler.

Those 119 strikeouts are killing Joey Butler. Still, .333 average and 25 doubles.

In the best competition he's ever seen, Leonys Martin is hitting .254. He has scored 17 runs and has a decent K/BB ratio (10-17).

Mark Hamburger's been stretched out last two games going four and then five innings in consecutive starts. In last seven: 18 IP - 11 hits - 0 runs - 3 BBs - 12 Ks.

Frisco RoughRiders
Johan Yan is making huge waves. The converted infielder is allowing a .194 BAA in Double A. He's allowed two home runs in 60 innings between High- and Double A.

Engel Beltre's hitting .239 with 84 Ks in 100 games.

Robbie Ross has allowed four home runs in 141 innings. Three of those in Double A (18.1 IP).

Justin Miller has a BAA of .197 with 67 Ks in 62 IP.

Tyler Tufts has thrown 221.1 innings in professional baseball and walked 40 hitters and allowed five home runs.

Tommy Mendonca has 24 doubles, 23 homers, 84 RBI and a .288 average. Will the 134 strikeouts scare away prospect trade partners?

Myrtle Beach Pelicans
First baseman and 2010 draft pick Andrew Clark got a bump to Myrtle Beach. He hit .313 in Hickory with a .422 OBP.

Fellow 2010 draft pick Jimmy Reyes also was sent to High-A after posting a 1.88 ERA and 44 Ks in 43 Spokane innings.

Jared Prince has had on-base percentages of .418, .405, .395 and .419 in consecutive months. Has 120 hits and 26 doubles.

Miguel De Los Santos has 73 strikeouts in 47.2 innings at High-A. He has 32 in 18 innings in his last three starts. He's also not allowing runs toting a .158 BAA.

Hickory Crawdads

Twenty-year-old Odubel Herrera's having a nice year. Batting .300 with 23 doubles and 29 stolen bases.

Jurickson Profar is otherwordly. And he's 18.

Whew. Roman Mendez has 120 strikeouts in 112 innings.

Cody Buckel: 2.40 ERA - 82 IP - 99 Ks.

I like the 64 walks from Jake Skole. I dislike the 119 strikeouts.

I don't understand Matt Thompson: 23 BBs in 129 IP in 2010; 75 BBs in 84 IP in 2011.

Spokane Indians
First baseman Trever Adams is hitting .306 with 18 doubles.

Catching prospect Jorge Alfaro is hitting .313.

Ruben Sierra Jr. is hitting .276. Seven RBI in last two games.

Supplemental rounder Zach Cone is hitting .199. Which is not good.

Kyle Hendricks is posting a 2.10 ERA in his pro debut. Has struck out 25 and walked three.

Matt West has a 26:1 K/BB ratio.

Arizona Rangers
Shortstop prospects Luis Sardinas and Nick Urbanus are hitting .308 and .295, respectively.

Abel De Los Santos has a 1.01 WHIP. Just eight walks compared to 54 Ks.

Alexander Claudio's allowed three runs in 19 innings of relief.

Jose Mavare has 34 Ks compared to eight walks.

Super-athlete Jordan Akins has 12 doubles and a corresponding 12 stolen bases in his pro debut.

Three outs

Trumbo trouble

That is what you call "having the floor drop out from beneath you."

Eight innings of exquisitely played baseball was ruined when Mark Trumbo parked a Mike Adams cutter into the southern California evening. The California Angels staved off a home sweep at the hands of the Texas Rangers, 2-1.

At the end of the day, you completely go to Chicago happy at winning three of four and leaving the door only slightly ajar for the Angels to climb back into things.

Still, that's two pretty depressing losses for the Rangers against the Angels this season. Two you should have had.

I don't think Ron Washington handles the bullpen very well. But, then again, this is also the manager that's taken the Rangers to the World Series and has them winning their division for the second straight year. He does something right.

I hate that Neftali Feliz works in non-save situations. I tend to hate that a lot of Rangers' relievers -- like Koji Uehara, Mike Adams -- work with four-run leads and whatnot.

Feliz was not going to pitch last night because he'd gone in four of five nights. This, despite telling coaches he was ready. Mike Adams knew he was the closer, if needed. All of this according to a Jeff Wilson tweet.

Of course, did Feliz need to go into those games? Doesn't Washington and his staff understand that if you work guys one night, they might not be available the next?

Mind you, Feliz pitched on Aug. 17 (Wednesday) and Aug. 16 (Tuesday). He'd thrown a total of 14 pitches in those two outings.

On Tuesday, he threw three pitches in a 7-3 win. Why was he out there? Especially if you thought you might need him Wednesday or Thursday? Why can't Yoshi Tateyama or Mark Lowe finish off a four-run lead?

I'm pretty sure that Washington wanted Adams to close another game and using Feliz two straight nights gave him the opportunity to do that last night or tonight in Chicago.

Bottomline is that it's not Wash's fault. Adams needed three outs. He didn't get one.

But ... Wash needs to decide right now who the closer is, use them as such and quit getting cute. He doesn't have to use quality arms while leading by four or more runs. So quit doing it.

****
The loss overshadows the brilliance of Colby Lewis. It's well regarded that Lewis hasn't thrown as good as he has the last two starts since last October. He went seven shutout frames allowing six baserunners. His ERA dipped to 3.83.

Lewis' last three:

20.2 IP - 12 hits - 4 runs - 1 home run - 3 BBs - 18 Ks.

Lewis hasn't allowed a home run in two straight starts. Only the second time this season. He hasn't gone three straight starts yet.

Lewis is also a messy 11-9 this year with five no-decisions. Clearly, last night he was robbed. His numbers in those five no-decisions:

33.1 IP - 24 hits - 14 runs - 2 home runs - 9 BBs - 30 Ks.

Essentially, 11 of his 14 runs in those five games have come in two starts. He's leading the universe in homers allowed, yet, in those five starts he's allowed just two in 33 innings.

In two of those no-decisions, he's allowed no runs in at least seven innings.

Notes:
1. Mark Lowe continues his run. Insanely good eighth inning last night.

2. It's not the runs that concern me about Adams, it's the baserunners. Posting a 1.56 WHIP as a Ranger. Only twice has he failed to disallow a baserunner.

3. Yorvit Torrealba managed a hit. He's failed to register a hit in just SEVEN games in July-August. Once in August.

4. Endy Chavez had a miserable series: Seven strikeouts, two hits in three games.

5. Elvis Andrus has four more doubles and 10 more RBI than he did all of last year. He owns Jered Weaver, too.

6. Weaver against the Rangers: 1.86 ERA this year. He has a 1.09 ERA against Seattle.

Getting Wood

"Is that a roll of quarters in your pocket ..."

File this under "Who Gives A Shit?": The Rangers acquired righty Tim Wood from the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash and a PTBNL.

Wood was 0-3 with a 5.63 ERA with the Pirates. Guess what?! He dominated Triple A: 23 saves, 2.84 ERA. He's clearly awesome.

Wood, I guess, gives the Rangers a little depth (see: players with a pulse) in the upper levels of the minors. Meaning, in a pinch, he's at least pitch in the Majors. Ryan Tucker, Brett Tomko and the bums at Round Rock apparently are not be trusted.

My favorite note on Wood: He's been released by the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates in the same season.

Oddly, Rangers media types seem to think this matters. No way he's any good.

Watch him turn into Darren O'Day.

Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart: Offensive Line

Badger, Badger, Badger, Badger

With that nasty lockout over and done with, we begin our expedited trip through the Dallas Cowboys roster. One position at a time.

Depth Chart:
Quarterback
Running Back
Wide Receiver

I don't like the Dallas Cowboys. But I am excited.

More than anything, I get excited when young players are thrust into the spotlight and expected to perform. It kills me watching Dave Bush or Brett Tomko pitch for the Rangers while younger guys sit in the minors.

It killed me watching the 1990s Cowboys get older and older without any influx of young players. Plugging in older players in professionals is, mostly, a give up. Teams present it as "going for it all" when it's actually just a vain attempt to be "good" for the sake of "selling tickets."

Rarely do old, rusty veterans give you significant and meaningful play.

I'm excited for the Cowboys' offensive line. Why? Youth.

The average age at the start of the 2010 season for the O-line was 31 years old.

For 2011: 27.

By dumping Marc Columbo and Leonard Davis and not replacing them with some washed-up veteran off the free agent trash heap. Instead, we get first-rounder Tyron Smith (20) and, possibly, rookie David Arkin (23). If not Arkin, it'll be rookie Bill Nagy (23). Also in the works is Sam Young (24) and Phil Costa (24).

Suddenly the Cowboys are quite young. And it's a little exciting.

Doug Free
The fifth-year guy turned a quality 2010 season into a four-year, $32 million deal with $17 million guaranteed. Probably the only good thing to come out of last year and probably the only reason the Cowboys cut Davis and Columbo. Not only to free up the cash, but because left tackle wasn't a position of need (especially after Smith was drafted). Note: Free has one full season under his belt. One.

David Arkin
Fourth-rounder out of this year's draft out of Missouri State. Quickly started battling for the left guard spot after Kyle Kosier moved to the right. He started the first pre-season game last week, so it'll be interesting to see who gets the start this week.

Andre Gurode
I love giving Bill Parcells credit. Gurode is his doing (for better or for worse). He moved him from guard (where he was about to get cut) to center where he's made multiple Pro Bowls (deserved and not). Doesn't matter what you think about him, he's a nine-year pro, who's battled. Came into camp out of weight and hurt. For the record, Gurode is signed this year for $5.5 million and next year for $6.5 million. He's a free agent in 2013.

Kyle Kosier
The more you read and read about the Dallas Cowboys, specifically the offensive line, you learn about how Kosier is the heart and soul of the unit. He is the one looking at defensive sets and making calls and judgements. His absence was felt two years ago when he was hurt and missed a lot of games.

Tyron Smith
He's 20 years old. Dallas-Fort Worth haven't had a 20-year-old to cheer about since Elvis Andrus broke into the Majors. Thoughts are that he has the ability to be great (not good) in this league. Love that the Cowboys are putting him out there.

Phil Costa
Last year, Costa made big waves in training camp and kept on with the team as a back-up. This after the Cowboys let jack-of-all-trades Cory Procter loose in free agency. Costa took snaps as Gurode rehabbed this year. I would assume he's the heir apparent when the Cowboys cut Gurode loose. Costa, by the way, was undrafted.

Bill Nagy
Taken in the sixth round this year out of Wisconsin. I found it odd that a beefy offensive lineman out of the Big Ten giant Wisconsin dipped into the sixth. I assumed he was a back-up. He wasn't. Started at center in camp and then switched to left tackle where he's battled Akin. Impressed in the first pre-season game.

Sam Young
Nagy and Akin are making noise this year. Young was making noise last year. Got high marks in camp last year and played sparingly in the season. Another sixth-round pick out of a high-profile school (Notre Dame). Are the Cowboys learning how to draft linemen?

Killshot, to the head

He was out

I think, in the back of our brains, that the Texas Rangers would have lived with a split of a four-game series in Los Angeles to the Angels.

I don't think that Angels fans would have minded a split either. Stay four games back with 30+ games left. You didn't want to lose three. You would've loved taking three. But a split is OK.

This thing has gotten out of hand. The Rangers continued winning, 4-3, clinching the series and looking for a possible sweep today.

A series win for the Angels would have required one of their young pitchers to show up. They didn't, so the onus was on Ervin Santana to stop the bleeding. For the most part, he did just that. However, the Rangers kept chipping at him until he folded.

It unravelled in the eighth when Ian Kinsler blooped a two-run single with two outs and two strikes. Game. Killshot. It was like in "Goldeneye" when you snipe an enemy in the head and he folds, dead. That half-swing bloop will be playing over and over in the Angels' heads.

The story, again, is pitching. C.J. Wilson went seven strong for his 12th win. In 19.2 August innings, he's allowed four earned runs. He's allowed two home runs since June (14 starts, 93 innings, two home runs). Went toe to toe with Santana and never buckled.

The Rangers are 20 (20!!!) games over .500 for the first time since 1999. Seven games up on the Angels. They are 26-12 against the American League West.

Go. Rangers.

Notes:
1. Wilson's K/BB ratio's gone from a poor 1.83 in 2010 to 2.70 in 2011.

2. Mitch "The Bitch" Moreland has seven hits, three RBI, a gigantic home run, two runs and a rocket throw for an out (the other night) in this series.

3. Mike Napoli extra-base hits: 38. Jeff Mathis total hits: 36. The Angels are not doing well.

4. How good is Elvis Andrus? Nobody turns up empty box scores and yet influences the game more. Outside of some stellar defense, Andrus has two hits in the series. However, he's scored four runs, notched an RBI and walked another four times.

5. Mike Young has nine hits in the series. Average up to .342. His 36th double last night ties the amount from 2010, 2009 and 2008. He hasn't had this rate of doubles since 2006.

6. At this rate, Young will reach 3,000 hits in two years. Joking. Kinda.

Control

D-Ho

It's two games of the biggest series in the Texas Rangers' and California Angels' season and it's been a total lopsided affair.

Rangers took game two, 7-3, last night. It's a six-game lead. Rangers need one more for the series win.

It's proof that the Rangers are the better team. Not because of the standings, per se.

The Angels had their Nos. 4 and 5 starters for the first two games. It was Garrett Richards and Tyler Chatwood.

The Rangers also started their Nos. 4 and 5 starters, Alexi Ogando and Derek Holland.

Angels Starters
2.2 IP - 10 hits - 6 runs - 2 BBs - 1 Ks

Rangers Starters
15 IP - 17 hits - 7 runs - 3 BBs - 9 Ks

The proof is in the pudding, as they say. From top to bottom, the Rangers are better. Yes, the Angels probably have the better starters. I would give the edge to Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana and Dan Haren over C.J. Wilson, Matt Harrison and Colby Lewis.

But the Rangers' entire team is so superior to the Angels' that it's not really close. The only thing in the Rangers' way is the Rangers themselves. If they crap the bed, that's the only way they can be stopped in winning this division.

Holland as your No. 5 starter should excite you. I don't know why we expect the back end of your rotation to have a sub-3.00 ERA. You'd like him to be consistent. However, I'll take the Holland of this season over most other players. He is so incredibly close to being a guy that becomes a front-end guy.

As for the offense, several times this season, I noted that I didn't think they could outdo themselves. I think they're outdoing themselves.

The offense is a thing of beauty and I credit Jon Daniels and Ron Washington for putting it together and making the pieces fit.

The last several years, we saw the offense bog and never get out of the ditch. You waited for the home run during the bad times and relished the moments of flurry, which won them three division titles in the 1990s.

This machine works. This machine kills Angels. You have nine guys that can kill you.

If they hit, if they play defense (some spectacular plays last night) and pitch, they are unbeatable. Simple.

Notes:
1. Mitch Moreland has six hits in the series.

2. Mike Napoli has as many extra-base hits as Jeff Mathis -- his replacement -- has hits (36).

3. Vernon Wells is hitting .203.

4. Angels bullpen: 15.1 innings pitched.

5. Will MVP voters look at Mike Young, or are they too fascinated with the Yankees and Adrian Gonzalez? Top five in American League in hits, average, doubles and RBI (all without the huge power numbers).

6. A sweet opposite field homer from Josh Hamilton.