By Adam Bremner
Staff Writer
The Texas Rangers (90-72), for the first time in eleven years, will compete in postseason play tomorrow against AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays (96-66).
Though not essential to confirming a spot in the playoffs, the Rays went on to eke out the New York Yankees for the title as well as the duty of facing Texas. At the pitiful first pitch at 12:37 in the afternoon, the Rays will send out lefty David Price to the mound. The Ray’s ace possesses a fastball like no one in the majors and has posted an outstanding 19-6 record on the season.
Price’s 2.72 era will be defended by a lineup that has lightning speed and crushing power. The power positions itself in the hands of Carlos Pena who has 28 homers and Evan Longoria who has 22 but may not be able to play due to a quad injury. The swiftness primarily lies in the legs of outfielders B.J. Upton and Carl Crawford. Once these two players reach base, they are extremely dangerous and it is essential that Texas limits their opportunities.
In charge of limiting the opportunities is Rangers’ ace Cliff Lee who Texas acquired in a mid-season trade with the Seattle Mariners to boost the rotation. Lee is only 12-9 in his tenure with the Rangers and has performed sporadically, experiencing struggles against high profile teams.
Fortunately, the Rangers are finally returning to full strength in the lineup as Josh Hamilton and David Murphy look to be healthy for the game tomorrow. Texas has experienced a season of injuries to multiple players which has contributed to a lack of runs, therefore, it is particularly important that they get back Hamilton for the start of the playoffs. The lineup of the Rangers consist of similar qualities to that of the Rays. Speed is spread out through the lineup with infielders Elvis Andrus, Ian Kinsler and outfielder Julio Borbon. Nonetheless, power is what is most impressive in the AL West champion’s lineup as Nelson Cruz, Vladmir Guerrero and Hamilton place some of the best slugging percentages in the majors.
The game, again at 12:37 tomorrow, should be a pitchers dual (but who knows with these lineups) at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay and will hopefully draw a decent crowd.
