World Series Preview (Rangers)
The Texas Rangers have it all; the second best starting and bullpen ERA in the Majors, 17 postseason home runs, no less than 2 games in the postseason, and dominating wins over Tampa Bay and the Yankees. You have to like the chances of the Rangers.
The only problem is, they may not have the pitching advantage. The Giants pitching has the lowest ERA in the Majors, and all 4 pitchers in the World Series rotations have winning records. In the playoffs, the Giants staff is a combined 4-2.
What Texas is really going to need to do is show patience at the plate and not swing at pitches in the dirt, like the Atlanta Braves did too many times. The Giants starters went 2-0 in that series because Atlanta was swinging in the dirt, and it took opportuinites away from them.
In Game 1, Texas has Cliff Lee going. The lefty has been 3-0 this postseason with a 0.75 ERA, and he is almost automatic when it comes down to the playoffs. But the Rangers are going to need some runs to beat the Giants. So if the Rangers can show that they aren't going to swing at those pitches, they'll get better pitches. And that means more home runs.
That will be big for Vladimir Guerrero. Guerrero swings at practically everything, making the Giants a team he doesn't want to face. If the Giants can establish their pitches low so Guerrero misses, he could be shut down.
Then comes Josh Hamilton. Hamilton isn't the best low-ball hitter, but he can easily smack one out of the park if you give him a ball right over the plate. That's why San Francisco is going to need to pitch carefully to Hsmilton.
Nelson Cruz, on the other hand, likes pitches inside. Cruz hit 3 pitches out of the park in the NLDS, and jacked 2 deep against the Yankees. Cruz has a playoff leading 5 homers, and he has 8 RBI's and 11 runs. If the Giants misplace a pitch inside and leave it hittable, watch out for Nelson Cruz.
Now, the pitching. The Rangers pitching staff has been great this year. Midseason acquisition Cliff Lee was amazing down the stretch, going 3-0 in the playoffs. When Lee was pitching, Texas has hit 5 home runs and given him plenty of run support. Lee has responded by allowing 2 runs over 24 innings, enough for an 0.75 ERA.
C.J Wilson gets the ball in Game 2, looking to add to a 1-0 lead or even the series at 1. Wilson isn't too hard to hit, but it is hard to hit the ball well when Wilson pitches. His knuckeball is great, meaning you can't hit many homers off Wilson. And the Giants have had trouble scoring with runners on, so Wilson could be a problem for them.
In Game 3 you have Colby Lewis, a guy who loves to mix up his pitches and confuse his opponents. That's what he did in the ALCS, going 2-0 and getting the victory in the clinching game. His cut fastball was working against New York. We'll see what he does in Texas.
Tommy Hunter got the call in Game 4, with the Rangers going for him instead of lefty Derek Holland. Hunter is 0-1 with a 6.30 ERA this postseason, but if he can establish what he got going June and July he could be dominant. Otherwise, this could be an offensive battle.
If the Rangers pitches are working, then watch out for them. If not, the Giants can blast long balls. For scoring runs; patience is the key. It brings runners on the bases and better pitches to hit. If the Rangers establish that skill; they could dominate the Fall Classic.
The only problem is, they may not have the pitching advantage. The Giants pitching has the lowest ERA in the Majors, and all 4 pitchers in the World Series rotations have winning records. In the playoffs, the Giants staff is a combined 4-2.
What Texas is really going to need to do is show patience at the plate and not swing at pitches in the dirt, like the Atlanta Braves did too many times. The Giants starters went 2-0 in that series because Atlanta was swinging in the dirt, and it took opportuinites away from them.
In Game 1, Texas has Cliff Lee going. The lefty has been 3-0 this postseason with a 0.75 ERA, and he is almost automatic when it comes down to the playoffs. But the Rangers are going to need some runs to beat the Giants. So if the Rangers can show that they aren't going to swing at those pitches, they'll get better pitches. And that means more home runs.
That will be big for Vladimir Guerrero. Guerrero swings at practically everything, making the Giants a team he doesn't want to face. If the Giants can establish their pitches low so Guerrero misses, he could be shut down.
Then comes Josh Hamilton. Hamilton isn't the best low-ball hitter, but he can easily smack one out of the park if you give him a ball right over the plate. That's why San Francisco is going to need to pitch carefully to Hsmilton.
Nelson Cruz, on the other hand, likes pitches inside. Cruz hit 3 pitches out of the park in the NLDS, and jacked 2 deep against the Yankees. Cruz has a playoff leading 5 homers, and he has 8 RBI's and 11 runs. If the Giants misplace a pitch inside and leave it hittable, watch out for Nelson Cruz.
Now, the pitching. The Rangers pitching staff has been great this year. Midseason acquisition Cliff Lee was amazing down the stretch, going 3-0 in the playoffs. When Lee was pitching, Texas has hit 5 home runs and given him plenty of run support. Lee has responded by allowing 2 runs over 24 innings, enough for an 0.75 ERA.
C.J Wilson gets the ball in Game 2, looking to add to a 1-0 lead or even the series at 1. Wilson isn't too hard to hit, but it is hard to hit the ball well when Wilson pitches. His knuckeball is great, meaning you can't hit many homers off Wilson. And the Giants have had trouble scoring with runners on, so Wilson could be a problem for them.
In Game 3 you have Colby Lewis, a guy who loves to mix up his pitches and confuse his opponents. That's what he did in the ALCS, going 2-0 and getting the victory in the clinching game. His cut fastball was working against New York. We'll see what he does in Texas.
Tommy Hunter got the call in Game 4, with the Rangers going for him instead of lefty Derek Holland. Hunter is 0-1 with a 6.30 ERA this postseason, but if he can establish what he got going June and July he could be dominant. Otherwise, this could be an offensive battle.
If the Rangers pitches are working, then watch out for them. If not, the Giants can blast long balls. For scoring runs; patience is the key. It brings runners on the bases and better pitches to hit. If the Rangers establish that skill; they could dominate the Fall Classic.
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