Was that an awesome headline or what? It just popped into my head. Everyone must forgive me but I have been out of town for the past few days I've actually been on the road driving back home all day. I woke up this morning and made sure my updates were activated and I wouldn't miss one run. As driving down the road I would hear a "ding! ding!" and then if you were in there you would hear, "F#@$ yeah! Don't F@$# with the Rangers!! F#$% the Rays!!" I was so pumped up during this game and I couldn't even see the damn thing. After the game I turned on 1310 the ticket to hear what all happened (by the way my fiance did record the game for me so I can watch it when i get back tomorrow). Rangers win game 1, 5-1 which is just absolutely incredible. But of course as a Rangers fan you have to tap the breaks and realize what team you have. The last playoff win was in 1996 against the Yankees game 1 6-2. Rangers of course lost the series and the Yankees went on to win the series.
The Rangers back in 96' ran into a buzz saw when facing the Yankees who would later win the World Series. The 96 team compared to this current team is just different. Not really better not really worse but just different. 96' team didn't have an over powering pitcher like Cliff Lee. They had John Burkett, a young Darren Oliver, Bobby Witt and Ken Hill. The current Rangers top three pitchers have ERA's under 4.00 and Tommy Hunter hasn't loss at home (7-0). The Rangers also have depth and I know it sounds funny but we really do. Having two first basemen, one for lefties and one for righties. Francoeur had a great game and now he will take a seat and Borbon or Murphy will face a right handed pitcher for game 2. Matt Treanor will take over for Molina.
Game 1 everyone was firing on all cylinders. Cliff Lee was electric after his little hiccup in the first two innings. Lee pitches to batters and either he gets out or gets hits. Putting the ball in play reduces pitch count and stuff like today just happens. Hitting was just incredible, they made Price look like he was a minor leaguer. Cruz of course hitting a moon shot back to Texas. I really see Cruz being a silent hero in these playoffs. When ever we need a clutch hit, he seems to come through. Price did settle down later in the game but it was way too late. Rangers have to go out with that intensity, playing loose and having fun. I was telling everyone that if the Rangers just go into this series, "We're just glad to be here!", then we are effing toast. The Rangers need to go out and know deep down that they are better than everyone out there.
Game 2 they have James Sheilds pitching for the Rays and the Rangers send C.J. Wilson on the mound. I really believe this should be a good game. All pitchers give their all in the playoffs so don't automatically write off Sheilds 13-15 record. He has more strikeouts and a lower ERA at home but all in all he just hasn't been that impressive lately. I really believe the Rays threw all their eggs in one basket and hoped to win game 1 with Price and then take a shot with Sheilds. Garza is suppose to pitch game 3 which will of course be trying. Lets just take one game at a time. I think tomorrow should be interesting as Texas goes for history, winning a franchise high 2 games in the playoffs (its a little sad). Go Rangers and the Rays sucks!
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