Texas Rangers seek club record wins while fighting to keep home advantage
The Los Angeles Angels may not be going to the play-offs this season but the Texas Rangers are. The Texans are looking to beat their best wins record of 95 from 1999. However that is not the only reason they would want to keep winning.
As the club took out the Angels 4-3 at Angels Stadium in Anaheim on Monday, September 26, they maintained a one win lead over the Detroit Tigers for home advantage in the play-offs.
The club is looking hard to concede their top tier position to the Tigers as it could send them to New York to face the Yankees. The home advantage on the other hand would ensure that the club will face a Wild-Card club at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
That could mean the Boston Red Sox or the Tampa Bay Rays.
"It is important," short-stop Elvis Andrus said after going 4-for-5 in the recent game. "We're still looking forward to opening the playoffs at home."
The team also needs another two wins to top the history books with record wins in a year.
"Yeah, that means something," infielder Michael Young said. "It means a lot. The great thing about this team is that even though we're focused on postseason, we're still coming out and bearing down on the game."
Manager Ron Washington however is looking to put some of the young hurlers in the line up in a way to ensure that the current pitching department does not hit a bumpy road with fatigue and stamina.
The inclusion of Mark Hamburger in the rotation meant a lot to the fans as a rookie pitcher got a shot at the Angels. C. J. Wilson was called back after two innings. Hamburger, on the other hand, picked up his first career win on Monday.
"He was awesome," Washington said. "He had a good slider and a good sinking fastball."
With the last two games remaining, it will be interesting to see if the Angels will allow a clean sweep to go against them.
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