Why did we have Scheppers starting yesterday?

Review... How far back do you want to go?

Cliff Lee left Texas in FA for Philly.
CJ Wilson left Texas in FA for LAA.

Darvish has a sore back and on the DL.
Holland's dog cause him to fall down stairs.
Harrison had 2 surgeries in 2013 and is still not ready.
Colby Lewis was only up to about 75-80 pitches and will likely pitch two minor league games.


Nick Tepesch is well... Nick Tepesch and needs another quality pitch.
Neftali Feliez was sent to the Minors after having to have TJ surgery after he attempted to be in the rotation.

Oswalt was released.

Feldman left Texas in FA.
Justin Grimm was traded to CHC for Matt Garza
Matt Garza left Texas in FA.

Josh Lindblom was traded as a package to Oak for Choice.
CJ Edwards was traded to CHC for Garza
Neil Ramirez was traded to CHC for Garza

Ogando was unable to show the command he once had. There may be bigger issues, but was moved to the BP because he didn't get it done in ST.
Martin Perez was the only real option.
Robbie Ross is short (5'11") and has always been a question as a SP.
Hanson was released because he didn't show a return of velocity.
Saunders barely made the team and likely wouldn't have if all of the above didn't happen.

Wolf I believe was sent to AAA.
Travis Blackley was released.

I'm sure I missed several, but at the end of it... other than Perez, Scheppers was our only other real option.

So that's the question, why start our 8th inning setup man from last year over a guy who started 20 games last season?

Is it so the rangers could put the little blurb about scheppers being only the 2nd pitcher since wwII to make his debut start on opening day?

According to Evan Grant, word was that Wash made a judgment call because he wasn't sure Perez could handle the pressure.

But please, continue to second guess. I'm sure Rangers management would have chosen differently if they had your insightful input.

Does it really matter? Had he not started yesterday, we would be getting rocked 14-10 today instead. It's not like we have a lot of choices.

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It's not like we have a lot of choices.

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Maybe not a lot of choices, but we DO have at least one Choice!

And hell, that one Choice would probably be about as good as any other rotation options at the moment.

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Is it so the rangers could put the little blurb about scheppers being only the 2nd pitcher since wwII to make his debut start on opening day?

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I'm sure the front office went with that. Overheard in the decision room: "You know I heard once that FV was the last person to make his MLB debut at SP on opening day. Do you think we could find someone to do that?"

** After realizing 3 of their SPs had never made a GS in MLB **
"Hey look, we could start Scheppers, Ross or Martinez. I wonder when the last time a team opened the season with 3 consecutive guys making their MLB debut at SP."
Wash: "I'm all for making history with one... but three? NO WAY, Jose! Martin must be 2nd."

LOL@Groo

As far as strategy goes, you could make a decent case that after Darvish went down, nobody #1-#5 had a very big likelihood of beating Cliff Lee.

I hate to get the season started that way, but I feel a lot better about:

Scheppers vs Lee (L)
Perez vs Burnett
Ross vs Kendrick

than I do

Perez vs Lee (L)
Scheppers vs Burnett
Ross vs Kendrick

Clementine, no need for you to be a smart ass.

So Perez could handle the pressure of starting game 163 last year but not the first one this year?

Don't you think they thought of that? Obviously management decided otherwise.

I just hate it when fans think they have all the answers and "why didn't they do this or that?" Besides, either way, it was one game. It counts the same as the others.

What I want to know is why Moreland is still with the club.

Supposedly moreland started because Wash is loyal. Mitch is terrible vs. lefties. Wash doesn't always make great decisions, but it's hard to fire the guy with his win loss record.

I don't mean started, I mean on the team in any capacity.

Lol probably same reason. And they're afraid he'll turn into Chris Davis if they release him.

Davis wasn't gonna figure it out with the Rangers. He needed a change of scenery. Now that he has, I'd love to have him back.

Crash has some sort of hometown hangup. Couldn't hit for the Rangers. Can't hit against the Rangers.

So, clementine, is your position that management never mKes mistakes ?

So we should never question a decision?

No. I just listened to enough dumbass drunk guys question the decision repeatedly yesterday at the game that I'm tired of hearing it. It's over and done with.

Don't open the thread