This year’s postseason features some familiar faces, young teams with something to prove, and other that weren’t expected to be here at the beginning of the year.
So let’s get you set by taking a look at the first of the Divisional Series. Check back as I prepare preview for all the series over the next couple days. And leave you comments on who you think will move on the ALCS and NLCS or why you think I’m full of crap.
Despite being the AL West Divisional Champion, the Texas Rangers come in to the playoffs with the lowest expectations. Playing in one on the weaker divisions in baseball, the Rangers face off against a Rays team that just barely inched out the Yankees to win the toughest division in baseball.
The Rangers team led the AL with a .276 team average and finished fifth in homers and RBIs. The Rays had two less homers than the Rangers and ranked 26th in terms of batting average (.247). Despite those numbers, the Rays managed to score the third most runs in the Majors thanks in large part to their ability to use their speed when they did get on base.
The Rays led the Majors in stolen bases with 172 swiped bags this year. Their speed puts tremendous pressure on defenses to make plays and forces pitchers to constantly have one eye focused on the base paths. It’s that extra burst of speed from guys like Carl Crawford and BJ Upton that help score extra runs: beating out infield singles; sac flies not deep enough to score average runners; easily scoring from first on doubles; and getting into scoring position late in games without having to give up outs.
Both team have put together solid rotations. The Rays will lead of Game 1 starting David Price, followed by James Shields, Matt Garza and Wade Davis respectively. Tampa’s pitching staff was second only to the Oakland A’s in team ERA throughout the year.
Cliff Lee, 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA, a 0.818 WHIP and a 5.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio in five starts for the Phillies last postseason (those are some crazy numbers), will try and keep those Rays speedsters off the bases in the first game, and be followed by CJ Wilson, Colby Lewis and Tommy Hunter. The Rangers ranked (3rd) just below the Rays in team ERA
Unfortunately for the Rangers, as mentioned above, unless you can shutdown the Rays enitrely and keep there speed on the bases, they will maximize every opportunity to score runs. It leaves a very small margin for error for the Rangers pitching staff.
If the Rays’ pitchers can control the power of the Rangers bats, led by AL MVP front runner, Josh Hamilton and Vlad Guerrero they’ll be in good shape. On the other hand if, Rays ptiching falters, the Rangers will make them pay.
One X-factor could be the health of Evan Longoria who missed the final 10 games of the regular season with a strained left quadricep muscle, but…
If I had to bet: Rays in 4
