Last Year not only did the Rangers win their first playoff series, they went on to defeat the Yankees in the ALCS. The Yankees, who beat the Rangers in previous ALDS in 1996 and 1998-1999. The Yankees beat the Rangers 3-1 in 1996, and swept the Rangers 3-0 in 1998-1999.
In 2010 the Texas Rangers finally were able to get their revenge on the Yankees, from previous postseason divisional series. The Yankees were in full control of the slugging Rangers in 1996 and 1998-1999, due to their good starting rotation and strong bullpen, with Mariano Rivera. However, it was sweet for all Rangers fans, who witnessed their Rangers dominating the Yankees, to win their first ALCS and go to their first ever World Series.
Quickly the Rangers fans forgot about the 1996 and 1998-1999 postseason outcome, where the Yankees took full control. The 1996 and 1998-1999 seasons, was the only appearances the Texas Rangers made it into postseason play. Finally 2010 the Rangers defeated the "powerful" Yankees.
The Ranges went to their first ever World Series in 2010. However, they lost to the San Francisco Giants 4-1 in the best of seven series. The Giants strong starting rotation consisting of Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner, and Matt Cain slowed down the red hot Rangers lineup. Once the Giants' starters pitched six or seven innings, they could rely on their bullpen, with closer Brian Wilson shutting down the Rangers and dashing their hopes of winning the World Series.
Even with all the great things the Texas Rangers accomplished in the 2010 season. There were questions asked: Was it a fluke? Texas, was unable to sign ace pitcher Cliff Lee to a multi-year contract over the off-season. All the critics were wondering,how the Rangers were going to defend their AL pennant, much less compete for another trip to the World Series in 2011.
Cliff Lee, who many considered the big reason the Rangers went to their first ever World Series, was a must sign. Well, the Rangers did not feel that it was in the best interest to over pay for the ace pitcher.
Critics will be critics, but the Rangers will be the Rangers. With Nolan Ryan and Jon Daniels in charge they seem to find ways to make their franchise better every year. Since the Rangers were unable to sign Mr. Lee, they did the next best thing. They looked to strengthen their defense, by adding the best third baseman in the league, Adrian Beltre. They added Yorvit Torrealba to be their everyday catcher, then traded for Mike Napoli to be a utility man.
When the Rangers traded for Mike Napoli before training camp, it did not set well with Michael Young. However,Young agreed to be the designated hitter, so the Rangers could sign Adrian Beltre to a multi-year contract. When Napoli came on the scene, Young felt like he was being squeezed out of the designated hitter role and going to lose quality at-bats.
The reason they traded for Mike Napoli, was to have another utility player, who could come off the bench to play catcher, first base, and be a designated hitter. However, unexpectedly Mike Napoli had a career year. The Rangers' Mike Napoli played a key role, down the stretch of the season. Napoli was so hot at the plate, Ron Washington could not take him out of the lineup.
Napoli has been the starting catcher down the stretch of the season, and postseason..
After Napoli beat the Rays on a game winning homer-run in game four of the ALDS, Joe Maddon said, "this is the year of the Napoli."
Michael Young demanded to be traded to another team, the Rangers were unable to find the right deal for him. The Rangers told Michael Young, the organization would grant his wish and seek to trade him to another team. However, the Rangers front office told Michael Young, they would not deal him to another team, if it wasn't in the best interest of their organization.
Michael Young went to Spring training as a Texas Ranger, never complaining to manager Ron Washington or his teammates about his situation. As everybody expected Michael Young would still play the game of baseball the same way. Michael Young is a consummate team player, no matter what conflicts he may have with the organization.
Ron Washington said, "Michael will be fine, once he's on the baseball field."
Oh! How true was that statement, by manager Ron Washington?
Well, Michael Young is still a Texas Ranger and will be for his entire career, most likely. Michael has played for one team in his eleven year career. He's the franchise player for the Rangers, and he's a team leader. The Texas Rangers have upmost respect for Michael Young and his leadership on this team.
How fitting is it?
Through all of the off-season issues, Michael Young had his best year in the major leagues, finishing third behind Miguel Cabrera and Adrian Gonzalez for the batting title. He's in the voting for the Clemente award. However, the only thing he and his teammates want to accomplish the most, is winning the World Series.
The Rangers have won back-to-back American League Championships and are going to their second consecutive World Series. The Rangers are still very young and they have one of the best farm systems in the major leagues.
"The Texas Rangers are the first team to win back-to-back American League pennants in a decade. The last team to do it was the New York Yankees."
The Rangers match-up with the Cardinals, should be a better outcome for them in this years World Series. The Rangers starting rotation is consisted of three left handed pitchers: C.J. Wilson, Derek Holland, and Mat Harrison. The Cardinals are only a .500 ball club, when facing left handed pitching.
The Rangers are so deep in their lineup, that Mr. October Nellie Cruz is batting in the seventh spot. If Hamilton and Young hit like they did in game six of the ALCS against Detroit, watch out St. Louis. The Rangers starting rotation did not win one game in the ALCS, their bullpen was credited for all of their wins.
Detroits' manager Jim Leyland said, "when Ron Washington moved Alexi Ogando to the Rangers bullpen, that was a brilliant move. Leyland went on to say, that with Ogando's stuff coming in late in the game,it's almost like facing another pitcher such as Neftali Feliz."
Alexi Ogando was the only Rangers pitcher to beat the Tigers in the regular season,he was 3-0. Ogando was on the starting staff in the regular season, who won thirteen games, with a 3.51 era.
When the Rangers starting rotation has early trouble they have a healthy Scott Feldman, who was brilliant in game two against Detroit in the ALCS. The Rangers starting rotation has a short leash ,if they run into trouble early on in the game. The Rangers' Scott Feldman has been brilliant from the bullpen, which allows manager Ron Washington to go to his bullpen for multiple innings if necessary. Ron Washington has so many weapons in his bullpen.
However, if the Rangers' starters can pitch a solid five or six innings, Washington can go to Ogando, Adams, and Feliz to close out the Cardinals.
St. Louis may have a little deeper starting rotation over Texas, oddly enough their bullpen won all of their games in the NLCS against the Brewers. Really both Texas and St. Louis are very similar when it comes to their pitching staff.
The Rangers have the advantage in their bullpen over the Cardinals. Both teams batting lineup has a lot of fire power. However, Albert Pujols had an extraordinary NLCS against the Brewers, while Texas' Nellie Cruz broke major league history hitting six homers in six games and thirteen runs batted in.
Albert Pujols hits in the third spot for the Cardinals, while Nellie Cruz hits in the seventh spot for the Rangers. I don't know of any major league team that's so deep in their lineup, than the Texas Rangers.
Josh Hamilton and Michael Young have been struggling throughout the playoffs. If game six of the ALCS was any indication that Hamilton and Young slumping at the plate is over, this could be a very long World Series for the Cardinals.
My World Series Prediction:
Texas 4 St. Louis 2
After the Rangers won the American League pennant on Saturday night, they were happy to go back to the World Series, of course. Every player that was interviewed said, "they still have work to do to be where they want to be at the start of the season." The young Rangers team is not just satisfied to get to the World Series, they're here to win it.
The Rangers are still a young team and they have one of the best farm systems in the major leagues. What the Rangers started in 2010, it's a start of a "DYNASTY." The Texas Rangers will be competing for the World Series for years to come.
Texas Rangers Fans:
Even though it has taken the Texas Rangers thirty-eight and thirty-nine years to reach the "Fall Classic," it has been worth the wait.
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