The Playoffs are Here

The Rangers are in the American League playoffs and will face the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rangers are not favored to win but it would not be a big surprise if they can win a playoff series for the first time in franchise history. For this to occur Cliff Lee must pitch as he has in past playoff games with the Phillies and CJ Wilson must be at his best as well. Of course the middle part of the Ranger lineup (Hamilton, Guerroro and Cruz) must hit with men in scoring position but this is the type of series that can turn on an error. The Rays rarely ever beat themselves and are among the best in baseball in fewest number of errors. The Rangers must avoid both fielding errors and baserunning errors. Too many times this year Ranger baserunners (most often Nelson Cruz) have crossed the line between aggressive and stupid baserunning and these type of mistakes can be the decisive factor in close games in the playoffs. Manager Ron Washington must have his team focused on every detail of the game and tell his players that when they are on the bases tagging on second base to go to third on a medium fly ball to right field with one out is stupid. The other thing that concerns me is the play of 3rd baseman Michael Young. Young's range at 3rd base has declined and too often he has either flyed out to right field or grounded out to shortstop with men in scoring position. Young is the leader of the Rangers on the field and has waited a long time to be in the playoffs and here is where he needs to get back to the way he played in a younger day and help lead his team to victory. This should be a close series so let's hope the Rangers can elevate their game a notch and win their first playoff series. For the metroplex, that would be a great thing to see. Go Rangers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!