For the first time in franchise history, the Texas Rangers have finally won a postseason series, taking 3 of 5 from the Tampa Bay Rays and eliminating them from the playoffs. The Rangers were the last team to never win at least one series in October: that is no longer true, thanks to Cliff Lee's 34298563297 complete game this season and a 2-run insurance homer by Ian Kinsler in the 9th. They now move on to face the Yankees in the championship series.
I have never breathed a bigger sigh of relief than I did 10 minutes ago as Longoria, Pena and Upton all went down without a fight. It doesn't mean that the Yanks' return to The Show is guaranteed, but it'll be easier to get past the Rangers than it would have been to get past the Rays. Now, whichever game Lee pitches, the Bronx Bombers will undoubtedly lose (I believe he's something like 6-1 against them since 2007, with a 2.46 ERA), but I have faith that a lineup of Rodriguez, Cano, and Teixeira can beat a rotation of Wilson and...who? Colby Lewis? Tommy Hunter? All 3 have higher ERAs (3.35, 3.72 and 3.73 respectively) than Lee, and Lewis has a 12-13 record, something that doesn't bode well for his defensive abilities. However, as always, you have to consider the sorry state of New York's rotation as well: Sabathia can be counted on for a win at all times (just like his ex-teammate (and possible future teammate, come this offseason), Lee), Pettitte still comes alive every once in a while, and then...there's A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes, and (insert crappy reliever thrust into a starting spot in a moment of desperation, most likely Javier Vazquez). It all comes down to the batters. Ian Kinsler is 5 for 18 and has 3 home runs in his first postseason appearance, Nelson Cruz went 3-for-4 tonight and scored 2 of Texas' 5 runs, and Elvis Andrus has a .333 batting average in the past 5 games. However, with the aforementioned Yanks, and newcomers Granderson (who had a phenomenal September that's been translating into an aready-impressive October) and Berkman (the 34-year-old vet finally earned his spot in the lineup a few games ago) coming alive in their first postseason appearances (EDIT: I apologize, Berkman was on the 2005 Houston Astros that were swept by the Chicago White Sox in the World Series), I have even more confidence in my boys in pinstripes.
Now, while I'm happy for Texas, not only for winning their first postseason series in history but also for knocking the Rays out, let's be realistic: the only times they made the playoffs (1996, 1998, and 1999...why do those years sound familiar?), they were beaten by the Yankees in the ALDS all 3 times, only forcing a game 4 in '96 and being swept the other 2 years, and the Yanks went on to win the World Series all 3 years (THAT'S why those years are familiar!). The only difference here is that it's the championship series, Cliff Lee wasn't playing, and it's a best-of-7 instead of best-of-5. Are these game-changers? Aside from Lee, I wouldn't say so. And he's only available to pitch 2 games, meaning there are 5 potential Yankees wins in this series. I like those odds.
So, here are the final four:
ALCS: Yankees at Rangers, starts Friday.
NLCS: Giants at Phillies, starts Saturday.
As we say "so long" to Atlanta, Cincinnati, Minnesota and Tampa Bay, we look ahead to this weekend, where things only get more intense from here. See you all in a few days.
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