Two AL teams have now clinched division titles.
The Texas Rangers, for the first time in eleven years, are playoff-bound after a thrilling 4-3 victory over division rival Oakland gave them the AL West title. Unlikely hero Jorge Cantu homered in the top of the eighth to break a 3-3 tie, and let me tell you, the Rangers are going to need a lot more of those clutch performances from roleplayers if they hope to do any damage in the postseason. With Josh Hamilton sidelined, Nelson Cruz, Vladimir Guerrero, and Michael Young are going to need some support. The Rangers are not going to be able to get by on 2-3 runs a game against either the Rays or Yankees. Their offense will need to come alive in two weeks, or any thoughts of a fairytale run at the World Series will quickly be eradicated.
That said, the Rangers' pitching is their x-factor. Cliff Lee and C.J. Wilson could push the Rangers into the ALCS, if they can win on the road. The way the playoffs are set up, with the division series being five games, the Rangers could conceivably start Cliff Lee in Game 1, C.J. Wilson in Game 2, and then Lee again in Game 5, if the series gets that far. That's a scary thought for any opponent of the Rangers in the ALDS. If the Rangers can win one of those first two games, they have a great chance to upset the AL East winner and begin their fairytale.
The chances of that happening, however, are slim. If you're the Rangers, you pick your poison - either CC Sabathia and Burnett/Pettite in Game 1 and 2, or David Price and Matt Garza. Of course, the Rangers don't get to pick, but in either scenario they have an uphill battle on their hands. And again, they're playing on the road, where they are five games under .500 this season.
I don't see the Rangers getting anywhere in October. They have accomplished a lot this year, and it's great to see a new face at the top of the AL West. They are a very good team, but they're not a great team. They're not a playoff team. Some teams are built for October, as I've discussed before. The Rangers are not. The absence of Josh Hamilton, even though he is just one guy, will affect them greatly in the ALDS. Is it possible they could surprise everyone and advance? Absolutely. Is it likely? No. There are just too many question marks, too many variables working against Texas here. Inexperience will be a factor. Only two games in the series will be in Arlington. Getting to Neftali Feliz will be an issue. The MVP candidate will be on the bench.
But then again, it's October, and we've been surprised before in that month. It's a time for a fresh start, where all previous numbers, stats, records, and fortunes go out the window. And that's what makes a team like Texas just as capable as anyone of making history.
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I was pessimistic about thir chances to win the division, even when they were up by 8 games. But, now that they are in: I beg to differ about not being built for October. How many playoff teams have TWO quality left-handed starters? Or a deep bullpen anchored by a closer that has almost 40 saves? And a combination of speed on the bases and power, that can be used to either manufacture runs (speed), or roar back from behind (home runs)? I think they might have one surprise in them -- getting to the ALCS. But the surprises may run out after that.
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