...let it be the Texas Rangers who keep the Yankees from making a repeat trip to the World Series. The Rangers making their first World Series appearance ever would be great for baseball. Here is a team, now owned by a baseball legend, Nolan Ryan, who has finally got their act together and become contenders. They pulled the rug out from under the Yankees in July when they acquired Cliff Lee, who seemed destined to spend the rest of the season in pinstripes. Now, they have the chance to pull the plug on the Yanks' 2010 season. They have what it takes as far as an explosive offense, strong pitching, and shrewd baserunning is concerned. However, one tall task remains and that is finishing the job with a win tonight. Sure, if they lose tonight, they have two more chances to take the series, but it's essential to keep momentum on their side. The Yankees are notorious for come-from-behind wins, so if the Rangers crack the door open by not finishing them off in Game 5, they could end up regretting it, even with Cliff Lee scheduled to pitch Game 7. Just ask the 2007 Cleveland Indians. They let the Red Sox back in the series and look what happened.
C.C. Sabathia has struggled so far this post-season. C.J. Wilson, on the other hand, has two very solid starts (even if only one resulted in a win) coming into tonight's game. The Rangers bats need to keep pouncing on C.C. and C.J. needs to pitch deep into this game. If there is one weakness on this Rangers team it is that the bullpen can struggle at times with the strike zone. If they can keep the bullpen innings to a minimum with Wilson going at least 7 innings, they should be in good shape, provided the offense keeps doing what they've been doing to the Yankee rotation.
Over in that other league, the Giants have been doing to the Phillies pretty much the same thing the Rangers have been doing with the Yankees. Cody Ross has been a beast and the rest of the team hasn't been doing too badly either. Bruce Bochy's roster moves in Game 3 paid off with Edgar Renteria (remember him?) and Aaron Rowand getting rally-sparking hits in the 4th and 5th innings against Cole Hamels. They send the rookie, 21-year-old Madison Bumgarner to the mound this afternoon to try to take a 3-1 lead in the series. He will face Joe Blanton, who, you may remember, gave up the grand salami to Daniel Nava.
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!!! LET'S GO GIANTS!!!!!
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