What do the Rangers do now? Prince has gone belly up. [Jay’s Note: More like belly all around, amiright? You know, because he’s fat.] Besides Yu Darvish, their pitching is hot garbage. I’m 50/50 if they try to make a deal for Kendrys Morales. What’s really going on in Arlington? Mitch “I get relevant every May” Moreland is what’s going on. Over the last three years, the month of May has been by far his best. He’s hit .312, with 17 dongs, 46 runs and 38 RBI’s. Maybe he has a thing with the letter ‘M’? MMMHHHH! – Mitch Moreland May I? Mitch May Moreland… Is May his middle name? Either way, something good has happened for triple M. Prince Fielder‘s neck couldn’t handle all that weight it’s been carrying around, and now Mitch gets his shot again. Hey J-FOH, Mitch has never been able to put it together for a whole season? That is correct, diligent random commenter. Mitch has never been able to put it all together for a full season and I don’t expect that to change. What I do know is May is almost over, Mitch loves to hit in May, Prince is now a popper… of pain killers, and opportunity is the drug we all subscribe to in fantasy baseball.
The 1.7% owned Mitch Moreland gets a full slate this week, which is always a nice thing. Although these games are on the road, I would like to throw out there that the “hitter friendly” label that once applied to Arlington is now over. Frequent Commenter Oaktown Steve did a nice job of pointing out that since moving the fences back, the park has become pretty neutral and the numbers back him up. On the year, Arlington is 23rd in home runs and 29th in doubles among all parks. I understand the lineup in Texas is not what it used to be, and has been hit with injury (Beltre) and disappointment (Fielder) so far. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that the opponents aren’t doing it as regularly as well.
So where is Mitch playing this week? Well he gets the luxury of traveling to Minneapolis and the cavernous Target Field. Now before you back click and go read the Guru’s Jam It or Cram It, please hear me out. Target Field, on the year, is ranked 13th in MLB for home runs. That is not a type-o my friends and critics. That is as real as Grey’s beautiful mustache and accompanying vape pipe. Mitch is a combined 6-for-13 with a home run against three of the Twins starters… starters he faces with another newbie right-hander for him to introduce himself too. He follows the Minnesota trip with a stop in D.C. to face the hapless Nationals. Here is a situation that can get dicey. Nationals Park has not been friendly to hitters this year and I get that. But what I like is three more right-handers, and with where he has been hitting in the order, 3rd this past Saturday, Moreland will be surrounded with some protection.
Don’t be bummed out if you missed out on Garret Jones, Adam Dunn or Lonnie Chisenhal. Dealing with the fall out from Prince Fielder being down for the year, Joey Votto finally getting put on the DL, losing your CI Nolan Arenado because he doesn’t know how to slide, or waiting for Adam LaRoche to come off the DL will leave your options pretty thin. Did I just write waiting on Adam LaRoche? What is wrong with this season. Oh, wait LaRoche just came off the DL yesterday. Tragedy averted! Players are dropping like flies and getting a guy who will be flip flopping between the three and four spot in the lineup is hard to come by. Knowing my luck, Moreland will break his leg on Tuesday doing a proper feet first slide into second.
Other Options: Kolten Wong, Mark Reynolds, Denard Span, Lorenzo Cain, Chris Carter
