Alexi Casilla is back in the lineup today after being held out of Friday's game. The perpetually slow-starting Casilla is batting .143.
Everyone is anxious to see "rookie" righthander Yu Darvish, the latest Japanese pitching import. "I didn't know he was like 6-foot-7," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire joked. "He's a big kid, seeing out there."
Darvish is listed at 6-foot-5. He supposedly throws a four-seam fastball, a two-seam fastball sinks, a cut fastball, a slider, a power curve that's kind of a slider and a floppy curve. His challenges are facing better hitters and throwing a baseball that's slightly larger than the one used in Japan.
Gardenhire praised Danny Valencia, who made a nice move to his left on a ground ball, spun and threw to first last night. Gardenhire said Valencia has been working on his positioning and footwork at third, and has been studying how other players, like Texas' Adrian Beltre, play his position.
There might not be a better defensive third baseman in the league than Beltre. With Elvis Andrus at short, the Rangers have the left side of the infield locked down. And another slick shortstop is on his way in Jurickson Profar, who's 19 but is starting the season at Class AA. Profar could be moved to second as he gets closer to the majors.
Rangers (6-2)
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Elvis Andrus, SS
Josh Hamilton, CF
Adrian Beltre, DH
Michael Young, 3B
Nelson Cruz, RF
David Murphy, LF
Mike Napoli, C
Brandon Snyder, 1B
Yu Darvish, RHP
