Rangers-Rays Game Four, the Open Thread

By Robert Wilonsky Tue., Oct. 4 2011 at 1:02 PM

Photo by Jamey Newberg

Back, by popular demand, is today's ALDS Game 4 open thread as the Rangers try to finish out the Rays following last night's epic nail-biter -- so nerve-wracking even Nolan Ryan said it was "as stressful a game as I've sat through." Before we get to first pitch, once more we turn our attention to the random thoughts of Noted Local Baseball Expert Jamey Newberg, whose official recap of Rangers 4, Rays 3 serves as this afternoon's must-read (as in: "Both of Napoli's hits, naturally, came with two strikes. He hit .291 with two strikes this season, second best in baseball, after hitting .149 in those situations in 2010. His two-strike slug was .509 this year and his OPS was .887, both tops in the big leagues").

Jamey's at the Trop at this very moment, where it's far from a packed house, and sends these freshly minted observations:

Joe Maddon re Evan Longoria's tough Game 3: "It's not going to be an oil painting every night." (Reporter noted Longo left postgame clubhouse quickly.)

Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine on with Ben and Skin said the Rangers could get creative in late innings today. Translation: Derek Holland perhaps?

Tremendously sparse crowd 40 minutes before first pitch. Weekday day game + "if necessary" status at 1st + elim game now = bad formula?

Josh Hamilton on Mike Napoli (and Adrian Beltre) replacing Vlad's production: "We're gonna look at who we can get from the Angels next year."

Bizarre. Trop showing Meatballs scene on video board: "It just doesn't matter if we win or we lose! It just doesn't matter!" (Uh, what?)

Answers forthcoming as we head to the comments for first pitch, coming down in mere minutes.

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Primi timpano

Can anyone tell me where I can find the game on the radio? And inning and score?

cactusflinthead

Well, I think that answers the question whether or not an open thread would be workable on a Tuesday afternoon. 246 comments and made Disqus grunt. I was in the hard yard getting unloaded when Happy fun time got the final out. I sure hope the game is not in conflict with Texas/OU on Saturday. Looking forward to a sporty sports weekend.

TheRealDirtyP1

RW, good job again, this open thread was a Great Success. Alright, time to teach the great game to a group of 5 year olds that would rather build sand castles in the red dirt. Pray for me.

Robert Wilonsky

Well, thanks -- enjoyed the hell out of it. Probably can't do Saturday -- it is, after all, Yom Kippur. The wife would kill me. Though I could always open it up and let you guys have at it. And chime in when and where I can. Thoughts, anyone?

TheRealDirtyP1

Most definitely. I'll be down in San Antonio so I won't be contributing to anything after tomorrow. I'd love to see all the TX/UO smacktalk as well as Rangers scuttlebutt.

ThongNCheese

I agree. At the very least, open the doors and let the inmates run the show. If you can pull Swingin' Sam to join the fun, that'd be even more fun!

Josh's broken records

I'll b eager to to comment from Vegas..in between craps and the crapper

Josh's broken records

Bwaak, Bwaak!

Josh's broken records

I would love you, even more..if'n Merten was drug back into our crazy.

Another idea, seeing as how I may be trapped in an airplane towards the finish of Tex/Zerou.. Maybe some of us would very much like a little open slugfest for it as well.

cactusflinthead

If you can train a chicken to peck at the necessary keys we can take care of the rest. Open the doors and throw the switch.

Robert Wilonsky

Trying to get Merten to run the liveblog Saturday. Will advise accordingly.

Grumpy McGrumpy III

Ahhh, I'm wasted. Beltre! Time for a celebration nap.

ThongNCheese

"I like Texas" is blasting throughout my house!

TheRealDirtyP1

Woohooooooooo.Game just ended for me. Hell yeah bitches.

Robert Wilonsky

Time Saturday TBD. Hopefully, after Texas-OU. And Yom Kippur.

Josh's broken records

I scheduled a flight for 2:30..told the wifey that we have to be in airport bar by 11am for kickoff..once we hit Vegas I'm putting it all on whomever your preview says.