Texas Rangers vs Tampa Bay Rays preview
For a team that was bankrupt, the Texas Rangers haven’t done too badly this season, running away with the American League West.
They somehow managed to trade for Cliff Lee and add a few million dollars in payroll at the trade deadline despite their financial problems and now look good to make a run at the World Series, even with the Rays standing in their way.
Texas
Though they had financial problems, it’s no surprise to see Texas in the play-offs considering how strong their farm system is.
In Josh Hamilton they have a legitimate superstar who put up numbers worthy of an MVP award this year. He hit .359 with 32 home runs and 100 RBI’s making him the Rangers’ MVP and player they need most in the play-offs.
Hamilton returned from a rib injury, which kept him out for most of September, this weekend collecting three hits in 11 at-bats. That should put the Rangers’ fans minds at rest for the time being, but if anything was to happen to the outfielder, it could be the end of their chances to progress.
If Nelson Cruz can continue his good form and combine with Hamilton in the middle of the line-up the Rangers will boast a pretty decent 1-2 punch - one that can hit for average as well as power. Add Michael Young and Ian Kinsler to the mix and the Rangers become a very dangerous team.
Vladimir Guerrero seemed to have revived his career early on in the season, but struggled after the all-star break, hitting .210 in July and .269 in August. Injuries have played their part in his struggles but the loss of bat speed is a bigger concern. That being said Vlad can still provide some power when he does connect with the ball.
The Rangers’ biggest asset, however, is their pitching and in Cliff Lee they have, possibly, the best left handed pitcher in baseball. Lee pitched against the Yankees in the World Series last season and showed he can dominate anyone when on form. He set the all-time record for the best strikeout to walk ratio for any starting pitcher in a full season and if that continues the Rays will struggle against him – the Rays have shown they struggle against good pitching this season.
C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis will be the other two starters for the Rangers.
Tampa Bay Rays
Beating out the Yankees to first place in the American League East is a pretty good achievement and they pretty much did it with one elite bat in the batting order. Evan Longoria will be their main bat in the play-offs but the Rays have enough good players around him to remain productive.
The problem with the Rays is their vulnerability to good pitching. They had a perfect game thrown against them by Oakland’s Dallas Braden and had a no hitter thrown against them by former teammate Edwin Jackson.
Facing Texas’ pitching won’t be easy for the Rays. But when they do get on base they’ll have to continue stealing bases like no-body’s business. They led the AL in stolen bases with Carl Crawford and B.J. Upton leading the team with 47 and 42 respectively.
Carlos Pena, it’s fair to say, doesn’t exactly strike fear into the opposition after posting a sub .200 average. He did crush 28 home runs this season so any fastball that is left over the middle of the plate will receive the treatment it deserves.
If you are a fan of great pitching this American League Division Series is one to look out for. David Price could win his first AL Cy Young this season and will take the ball in game one of the series. It won’t get any easier for the Rangers after Price, the Rays will give the ball to Matt Garza – who threw a no-hitter this season – followed James ‘ Big Game’ Shields in game three.
Prediction
If the Rays continue to steal bases and continue playing above average defence it will be hard for the Rangers to overcome Joe Maddon’s team. But in Josh Hamilton and Cliff Lee, the Rangers are well equipped to take on the American League’s best team. Rangers in five
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