FW you probably right, but as much as I do not trust Holland I hate to sacrifice him on game 1. Even if Holland pitches the BP is gong to get burned. Texas is playing with house money so the next eght days are going to be fun.
Paper this morning says Hamels can pitch game 2 and game 5 because of extra rest day, which for some reason I hadnt thought was happening this year, so no brainer to send Hamels out in game two after all. My best guess is Holland, Hamels, Lewis, Gallardo, Hamels as rotation. If it gets to game five it would be Hamels v Price. Going to be a fun series and just to keep it going, the magic number to be in the ALCS is now 3.
I would switch Gallardo and Holland, but agree on the middle two and the Fifth. Let's be a little more proactive - Magic Number for World Championship is 11 out of 19 tries.
Another quick thought, as good as Price is he is 0-3 against Rangers in playoffs from those 2010-2011 series against Tampa, of course he didn't have that ridiculous Toronto lineup hitting for him down in Tampa so take that record with a huge grain of salt.
I just heard that on radio too. The announcers mentioned that Gallardo in his two starts against Toronto was particularly strong against that lineup and he is a veteran so looks like you were right Vipe, good call.
Educated guess FW. The chess game begins now. Hamels after Game 2. When to pitch him/save him for the next Series. Need to close Toronto out in 4.
Exactly, ViperHorn - the best way to avoid two games against Price. It would really be great if the Rangers can win the first two games in Toronto - but I know that's asking a lot.
Playoffs get started tonight as Houston beats a Yankees team that was ready to be put put of its misery in the AL wild card game. I like KC to beat Houston in 4 but that Astros team is stacked for years to come and with the Rangers also looking solid the next few years should be a lot of fun for baseball fans in the state of Texas. Less than 48 hours to first pitch on Thursday for Rangers.
If you are going to the Sunday game at The Ballpark be sure to remember that the Cowboys kick at 3:25.
Viper, I am going to the Rangers game Sunday night and that is a good point. Between Cowboys, Rangers and Six Flags traffic, Arlington is going to be quite a zoo Sunday afternoon and evening. I wonder how many people are doing the Cowboys/Rangers double header.
^Lucky me - I live in Arlington, but I'll be out of town this weekend and will miss the traffic jam(s) - driving Mrs. HHD to Panama City, FL, to visit her mom and sister. I'll be following the Rangers as best I can through radio and ESPN app on my cell - but I'll be depending on the rest of you Ranger zealots to cheer extra hard and pull through a couple of W's before I get back home.
Just released- Perez to start Game 3 - WOW. I felt Lewis was totally wasted, but I guess Bannister is trying to send Holland a message. To be fair to both Lewis and Holland probably overachieved in light of their workload following their injuries. For discussion after the season will be do you give Lewis the money that he will probably be demanding?
Went down to the 1st floor big screen in the lobby and saw the first 1.5 innings on a LONG smoke break - and I don't smoke. We threatened the first inning with 2 on and 1 out but Price is pitching pretty sharp today.
Now Rangers up 4-1, but Belre is hurt. If the injury lingers, is Mitch Moreland competent at third? It would be nice to have have Fielder, Napoli and Moreland in the batting order if hard-hitting Beltre is out.
Rangers win 5-3. Bannister pushes all the right buttons with Gallardo, Kela, Diekman and Dyson pitching. Robinson and Rougned with home runs and Deshields and Beltre with the other two RBI. Only bad news of day was Beltre leaving in top of third with back spasms and his availability for tomorrow is questionable. That is a critical injury as he is the heart and soul of this team. Magic number to make ALCS is down to 2.
Excellent win. Gallardo did exactly what he was supposed to do - eat five innings and keep the Rangers in the game. And, thanks to some timely hitting off Price, Yo left with a lead that the bullpen was able to protect. If Hamels pitches to form tomorrow and the offense can continue to work the pitch count, get timely hits, and the defense can play well, there is a reasonable chance to come back to Arlington up two games to none - wouldn't that be terrific!
very satisfying win over the jays yesterday... only flaw was Beltre getting hurt. Agree Bannister did a GREAT job with the pitching decisions and our #9 hitter in the batting order gets a 2 run homer in a huge game. Let's hope Hamels has his A game today and the Good Guys somehow get out of town with another win!!!
Rangers win an absolute marathon game 5-3 in fourteen innings. Hamels goes 7 and then Dyson, Diekman, Tolleson, Kela and Ohlendorf finish it off. Kela with win and Ollie with save. Hanser Alberto with game winning rbi after his error in the fifth inning had allowed runner on who at time was go ahead run for Jays. Napoli with huge pinch hit rbi in the 8th tied the game. Perez goes Sunday to try and get sweep. Looking forward to my first MLB playoff game in the stands. Magic number to get to ALCS is down to 1.
And Houston looks to be playing very well, on the verge of two win is KC (at the moment.) Good odds that two Texas teams will be playing for the American League Pennant.
Rangers come home now trying to close out the series Sunday night with Martin Perez on the mound. His record is a deceptive 3-6 because at home he has been really strong and lately he has certainly been more consistent than Holland or Lewis who's arm may be shot as his last several starts have been busts with the exception of the near no hitter. In fact Perez has a better ERA than Derek and Colby and just hasnt gotten the run support they have. Bannister has been shot on with his pitching choices in this series so fas so he has built up some trust in his choice here. The third game is always the toughest but the Rangers get two shots at home to close it out. Completely intangible, of the three Ranger games I made it to this year two were Perez starts and he won both so I am hoping that my being there Sunday continues that streak of Perez winning with me in the Ballpark.
Rangers lose game three 5-1. Toronto was in control from start to finish and threatened to blow open game in several innings before Tulowitzki's 3 run shot put game out of reach in the sixth. Holland on mound this afternoon as Rangers try to win the series in 4. Magic number to make ALCS is still just 1.