Lone Star Ball
This blog has a wide variety of talent.. the first place I would go if I need help working on advanced mathematical theory or how to hide a body and anything in between -- laxtonto
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Wednesday Morning Links
Former Yankee star and now Republican candidate Mark Teixeira appears at the June 10 Congressional Baseball Game in Washington, DC, as his bid for Congress gains momentum. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Rays pull off a dramatic walk‑off win, becoming only the fifth MLB team ever to force a Game 5 after trailing 0‑3 in a World Series—an unprecedented comeback that could push the series to a sixth game.
World Series Game 4 discussion thread
We have Game 4 of the World Series this evening, and with the Brewers holding a commanding 3-0 lead, its very possible this is the last major league baseball game we will have in 2026. It is a 7:00 p.m. Central start time on Fox. Talk about it here.
Three years ago, Corey Seager went deep
The author crowns Corey Seager’s ninth‑inning, game‑tying home run on October 27, 2023 as the greatest moment in Texas Rangers history. Coming down 5‑3 against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 1 of the World Series, Seager’s swing tied the game, setting the stage for Adolis García’s dramatic win and the Rangers’ eventual championship. The piece revisits other iconic Rangers highlights—from Nolan Ryan’s no‑hits to Nelson Cruz’s 2011 walk‑off—before concluding that the 2023 postseason, highlighted by Seager’s clutch blast, finally vindicates lifelong fans’ loyalty.
Tuesday Morning Texas Rangers Update
The Lone Star Ball roundup highlights Texas Rangers right‑hander Jack Leiter’s comeback hopes after a “flukish” injury derailed his season, while FanGraphs analyst Eric Longenhagen praises Sebastian Walcott’s standout performance in the Arizona Fall League. The piece also notes the Brewers’ 3‑0 win that sets up a showdown with the Rays, giving the Rangers a chance to claim their first franchise World Series title. Updated for October 27, 2026.
World Series Game 3 discussion thread
Game 3 of the 2026 World Series kicks off tonight at 7 p.m. Central on Fox as the Tampa Bay Rays, down 2‑0, host the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Brewers left‑hander Robert Gasser, a University of Houston standout, takes the mound for Milwaukee, while Dominican right‑hander Freddy Peralta starts for Tampa Bay. Fans are invited to join the discussion on Lone Star Ball.
2026 Season in Review: Robby Ahlstrom
Left‑handed reliever Robby Ahlstrom made his MLB debut with the Texas Rangers in 2026 after years of prospect hype and command struggles in the minors. Acquired from the Yankees in a 2022 trade, he refined his control at Round Rock, walking just 8 of 116 batters early in the season. Called up on June 1, Ahlstrom retired all four Cardinals hitters in his first appearance and held a 0.00 ERA through his first nine outings, but his performance later wavered, spiking to a 7.07 ERA after a rough June‑July stretch and again after the All‑Star break, including a September 2 outing against the Athletics where he surrendered three runs and two homers. The piece reviews his volatile season and the Rangers’ bullpen context.
Monday Morning Texas Rangers Update
The Lone Star Ball update notes that the Texas Rangers have exited their high‑spending phase and are refocusing on player development, according to Evan Grant. MLB Trade Rumors’ AJ Eustace highlights Jacob Latz’s breakout 2026 season, crediting an improved changeup that turned him into an unexpected All‑Star closer. The post also teases today’s Rangers Daily Walkoff trivia, linking to past teammates of Mike Minor and 2000s top‑5 save leaders.
Sunday morning Rangers things
The post opens with a photo of Texas Rangers prospect Sebastian Walcott at the 2026 Arizona Fall League media day. It then recaps the Brewers' 5-4 win over the Rays, giving Milwaukee a 2-0 series lead as the action shifts back to Tampa, and notes Cody Stavenhagen’s tribute to late broadcaster Bob Uecker. The entry also mentions 20‑year‑old Kimi Antonelli's chance to clinch the Formula 1 championship at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, and points readers to David Laurila’s Sunday Notes on Fangraphs.
World Series Game 2 discussion thread
Tonight is Game 2 of the World Series. It will be played in Milwaukee. The Brewers won the first game. Drew Rasmussen of the Rays goes up against Logan Henderson of the Brew Crew. It is a 7:00 p.m. Central start time on Fox. Talk about it here.
Saturday morning Rangers stuff
Good morning, LSB. Kennedi Landry has a trio of Rangers noted as “developmental wins” after strong 2026 campaigns. The Buzzsaw Brewers took a tight Game 1 of the World Series. And The Athletic ran the numbers on MLB’s “competitive balance problem.” That’s all for this morning. Have a great weekend!
World Series Game 1 discussion thread
It is World Series time! The Rays play in Milwaukee against the Brewers. Jacob Misiorowski pitches for the Brewers, while our old friend Nick Martinez pitches for the Rays. It is a 7:00 p.m. start on Fox. Talk about it here.
Friday morning Rangers things
Good morning, LSB! The post highlights former Rangers execs Jon Daniel (Rays senior advisor) and Thad Levine (Brewers senior advisor) now in the World Series, while Jeff Wilson advocates keeping super‑utility ace Ezequiel Duran for next season. It also notes 2023 champion Mitch Garver’s retirement and shares Pipeline’s top 2026 draft performers. The World Series kicks off tonight.
2026 Season in Review: Sam Haggerty
The Lone Star Ball review reveals that Texas Rangers outfielder Sam Haggerty failed to deliver in 2026. After a modest 2025 stint, the Rangers signed him to a $1.25 million deal on the non‑tender deadline, signaling limited confidence. Haggerty posted a dismal .159/.213/.182 line in 47 plate appearances across 35 games, ranking among the lowest OPS marks in recent Rangers history. He was placed on bereavement leave on June 1 and was designated for assignment shortly after his return. Wearing the rare number 0, Haggerty’s season ended as a cautionary tale of missed expectations for the switch‑hitting, right‑handed‑type bat the club hoped would add depth.
Thursday Morning Links
The post reviews the Texas Rangers’ 2026 season, noting they fell short of the World Series while the Brewers and Rays succeeded on a budget. It highlights a need for more “athleticism,” citing Chris Young’s call for improved base‑running to match the aggressive styles of Milwaukee and Tampa Bay. The article also points to three promising Rangers players—internally developed 3‑ to 4‑year veterans—as bright spots, and includes a photo of Jacob Latz celebrating a win over the Twins on Sept. 26, 2026.
Mitch Garver announces his retirement
Mitch Garver, the former Texas Rangers catcher/DH who helped the club clinch the 2023 World Series, announces his retirement. A 2013 ninth‑round pick by the Twins, Garver debuted in 2017 and joined Texas in 2022, delivering a .270/.370/.500 slash line in 87 games that season, highlighted by a pivotal opposite‑field home run in Game 6 of the 2023 ALCS against Framber Valdez. After a brief, troubled stint with Seattle, he finishes with a .229/.325/.432 line, 110 OPS+ and 10.0 bWAR over 701 games. The Rangers did not re‑sign him, and he now looks ahead to life after baseball.
Suzuki out as Angels manager
The Los Angeles Angels announce that manager Kurt Suzuki will not return for the 2027 season. Suzuki, hired a year ago after the club failed to secure Albert Pujols, served as a caretaker following Ron Washington’s 2025 dismissal. Previously a special assistant to GM Perry Minasian and a former Angels catcher, Suzuki is now offered a return to his front‑office role. His departure makes him the second former major‑league catcher‑turned‑manager in the AL West to be let go this month, joining former Mariners skipper Dan Wilson. The move follows GM Minasian’s firing earlier this year.
Poll: How will the World Series turn out?
The 2026 World Series pits two first‑time champions—the Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers—against each other, kicking off Friday after the Rays clinched the AL pennant by beating the Cleveland Guardians in Game 6. Lone Star Ball invites fans to vote on who will win the series in a quick poll, offering a snapshot of the matchup and its historic significance.
Wednesday Morning Links
The post notes a former Bob Simpson estate in Montserrat is back on the market with a $2‑4 million price tag. It then shifts to MLB, questioning how the Texas Rangers will fix a pitching staff that fell from league‑top in 2025 to mediocre in 2026. Finally, it highlights the uncertain development path of prospect Sebastian Walcott, which hinges on whether star shortstop Corey Seager remains with Texas.
State of the Payroll for the Texas Rangers
The Lone Star Ball piece breaks down the Texas Rangers' 2027 payroll amid owner Ray Davis' reputation as a salary‑cap hawk. With five guaranteed contracts totalling $123.25 million—highlighting deGrom’s $37 M deal and Seager’s $31.5 M contract—the Rangers also face arbitration costs for ten players, most notably MacKenzie Gore at $8.7 M. Potential non‑tenders include Jake Burger ($6.9 M) and Logan O’Hoppe ($3.1 M), while prospects like Sebastian Walcott could shift roster dynamics. With the CBA expiring and luxury‑tax thresholds uncertain, the article gauges how the club might stay under a projected $227 M tax‑free payroll ceiling.
Tuesday Morning Texas Rangers Update
On Tuesday, Lone Star Ball outlines the Texas Rangers' offseason challenges: free‑agency pitcher options demand a near‑complete bullpen overhaul for the third straight winter, while owner pressure forces a cost‑cutting approach. MLB Trade Rumors' Anthony Franco highlights the roster bind of pricey veterans, and Kennedi Landry spotlights AFL standouts Sebastian Walcott and Jacob Johnson. The piece also notes the Rangers' recent series win over the Guardians and the upcoming World Series showdown between the Rays and Brewers.
ALCS Game 6 discussion thread
The American League Championship Series reaches a pivotal Game 6 as the Tampa Bay Rays aim to clinch a World Series berth while the Cleveland Guardians fight to force a decisive Game 7. Starting pitchers Shawn Armstrong (Guardians) and Freddy Peralta (Rays) tip off at 7:08 p.m. ET on October 19, with the matchup airing on TBS. Fans are invited to join the discussion.
2026 Season in Review: Nolan Kingham
The Lone Star Ball’s season‑in‑review spotlights Texas Rangers rookie pitcher Nolan Kingham, who made his MLB debut on Aug. 3, 2026 against the San Francisco Giants at Globe Life Field. Wearing jersey #58, Kingham logged a single inning and allowed one run, accounting for just .07% of the Rangers’ 1,419.1 innings and .13% of their 719 runs allowed in 2026. Once the #223 Baseball America prospect from Desert Oasis High in Enterprise, Nevada, Kingham joins a 31‑pitcher staff in a team that survived to the final day of the season. The piece blends debut details, quirky hometown trivia, and the challenges of choosing players for the Rangers’ comprehensive review.
Monday Morning Texas Rangers Update
Rangers analyst Shawn McFarland reviews the team's offseason free‑agency options, while MLB.com’s Ben Weinrib highlights Sebastian Walcott’s standout performance in the second week of the Arizona Fall League. Keith Law also covers American League prospects at the AFL, including Texas talent. The post opens with a photo of Jake Burger’s solo homer against the Twins on Sept. 26, 2026, setting the tone for a quick briefing on Rangers prospects and roster moves.
ALCS Game 5 discussion thread
Oh yeah, we got some rescheduled mid-afternoon Sunday baseball action going today… With Friday’s game being rained out, the Rays and Guardians play Game 5 today on what would have been a travel day. It is a 4:08 p.m. Central start time on TBS. Discuss it here.
Sunday morning Rangers things
Good morning, folks… The Rays beat the Guardians last night by a score of 7-3, evening the ALCS at 2-2. Sam Blum writes about the Electrician, Jamey Wright, the only player to have played for all four of the LCS teams in his career. David Laurila has his Sunday Notes column up at Fangraphs.
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