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The Texas Rangers and the San Francisco Giants have just finished the World Series of the underdogs, and the anticipation for baseball season is already growing. There is a lot of star power on the free agent market this year, and many analysts are already making bold predictions about next season.

Cliff Lee, Carl Crawford, Derek Lee, and Jayson Werth are just a few of the names on the free agent lists. Where will they go? Who will sign them? How much money will they sign for? 

I will be addressing 10 of the biggest offseason rumors for the MLB, and whether they are fact or fiction.

Without any further ado, here we go with Fact Vs. Fiction For 10 Talked About Offseason Rumors.

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Cliff Lee was thought to be invincible, and his postseason record proved that he just might be. He had never lost in the postseason, that is until Game 1 of the World Series.

Game 1 was a disaster for the Rangers. They allowed 14 hits and 11 runs, with Cliff Lee allowing a postseason-high of six. They made four errors, which was uncharacteristic for a normally solid Rangers team. Cliff Lee was pounded around for 4 2/3 innings.

When the dust settled in the fifth inning, the Rangers were down 5-2, and Cliff Lee was taken out of the game. By the time the inning was over, the Rangers were down 8-2, and Game 1 might as well have been over.

So much for the unbeatable Cliff Lee, so much for the Clee Facts, so much for the “I heart Clee shirts, the absurdity that was “Cliff Lee’s wife doesn’t flirt with him because no one hits on Cliff Lee” turned into anyone and everyone can hit on Cliff Lee.

Lee was unable to locate his breaking pitches and was forced to abandon those altogether. He was forced into being a strictly fastball/cutter pitcher, and that was not working either. Countless times his cutter drifted over the middle of the plate, allowing the Giants to tee-off on Lee.

If you would have told me before the game that Cliff Lee would have more hits than Josh Hamilton, I would have laughed at you, even though Cliff Lee was put up on this high pedestal. Hamilton could not produce a hit, while Lee produced a double in the second inning.

Freddy Sanchez had three doubles in his first three at bats off of Cliff Lee, and everyone was pounding the ball.

The matchup of aces Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum quickly turned into an afterthought, as both made early exits. The Rangers, rookies in the World Series, played just like you would expect any rookie. They were jittery and nervous, and it showed in their play. Even the great Cliff Lee showed his nervousness throughout the game.

“I think it’s just baseball. That’s the only thing you can say,” Sanchez said. “This is a crazy game.”

“I was trying to make adjustments,” Lee said. “I was up. I was down. I was in. I was out. I was trying to find it, and I was never really consistent with what I was doing.”

This has been the “year of the pitcher”, but if Game 1 was any indication, it will be the World Series of the hitter.

The Giants won 11-7 in a game that was never really that close.

What does this mean for the Rangers?

The Rangers desperately need a win tonight, and they will give the ball to left-hander, C.J. Wilson. Wilson has been the Rangers most consistent pitcher this year, and has snapped Texas’ losing streaks time and time again this season. The Rangers will need him to do just that tonight.

He will be facing Matt Cain tonight, who could be difficult for the Rangers to rebound against.  Cain has allowed one run, nine hits and struck out 11 over 13 2/3 innings while going 1-0 in two starts this postseason. These are impressive stats, and the Rangers will need to produce runs if they want to go back to Texas with the series tied.

A 2-0 deficit is not insurmountable, but it will put the Rangers in a hole that I am not sure they could dig out of.

The Rangers look to rebound tonight against the Giants, and they will need a solid effort from C.J. Wilson to do so.

B/R Prediction: Texas Rangers 5, San Francisco Giants 4

For questions regarding the article, please comment or send me an e-mail.

Paul Ferguson is an intern at Bleacher Report.

Visit www.cleefacts.com

Follow him on twitter at: @paulwall5

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The hit television show Glee has dominated Fox for the past year, but this October Cliff Lee, or “Clee,” as one site likes to call him, looks to take over Fox.

The followers of “Clee,” the “Cleeks,” have dominated Twitter for the past few days. 

Before the game in which Lee last pitched, Cliff Lee facts were trending on Twitter (#cleefacts). Some of the facts were ridiculous, such as “Cy Young won five Cliff Lee Awards” and “Neftali Feliz does not have to come to the game when Cliff Lee pitches, because Cliff Lee needs no closer.”

Here was my personal favorite: “Cliff Lee’s wife does not flirt with him, because no one hits on Cliff Lee.”

These jokes were made all in good fun before the game, seeming more like hyperbole than fact. Then the game started, and suddenly some of those “facts” looked more like the truth.

Lee dominated the Yankees, and the “facts kept coming.” This prompted one site, www.cleefacts.com, to begin to market the Clee Facts and post them on a site.

As a personal friend of the creators of the site, here are some facts you need to know about the widespread phenomenon that is CleeFacts.

Clee Facts started out as knockoff jokes of the Chuck Norris and Jack Bauer jokes that we have already heard a thousand times. They quickly grew into more baseball jokes until they were a huge hit with Rangers fans, Cliff Lee fans and baseball fans alike. 

The site absolutely took off yesterday, when Rangers pitcher C.J. Wilson got into the action with a few Clee facts of his own. The site jumped in hits, and in followers on Twitter, when Wilson decided to join in on the fun.

A couple of hours later, on 103.3 ESPN Radio in Dallas, Ben and Skin gave Clee Facts an on-air shoutout, resulting in even more hits for the site. They have been contacted by KDFW Sports, 1310 The Ticket and ESPN Radio, and Clee Facts have taken off. 

Here is a brief overview of the site that is quickly becoming very popular. I briefly spoke to two of the site creators today. Jorge Parrales and Jacob Herrera gave me a quick rundown of the site.

www.cleefacts.com is a place where you can go and see your favorite facts about Cliff Lee and even submit some yourself. At the far right of the front page on the site, you can enter your name, email and an original Clee Fact. 

Every other week the site will be running a contest to see who can come up with the best Clee Fact. The winner of the contest each week will receive a free “I Heart Clee” T-shirt. These very popular t-shirts are selling like crazy and are available for order on the site for only $12.

Today on Twitter they will be running a contest to give a free shirt away, and if they reach 2K followers, then they will give away two shirts, so follow them on Twitter @CleeFacts.

Clee Facts are becoming more and more popular each time Cliff Lee pitches. Go to Cleefacts.com and submit your own Clee Fact, or order an “I Heart Clee” t-shirt.

When Cliff Lee pitches tonight, you do not want to be the only one without an “I heart Clee” shirt.

This will be the next “Claw” and “Antlers” fad for all you Rangers fans.

“Clee Facts”—the facts about the most interesting man in baseball.

I will leave you with one more fact. “In high school, Cliff Lee was named All-State in two states. #CleeFacts.”

All you Rangers fans, go and check out www.cleefacts.com, or follow them on Twitter at @Cleefacts to get all the latest info on our star pitcher.

If 200 People tweet a Clee Fact before game time with the hashtag #CleeFacts AND #bleacherreport, then we will give away a shirt to someone who has tweeted meeting those requirements.

For questions regarding the article, please comment or send me an e-mail.

Paul Ferguson is an intern at Bleacher Report.

Visit www.cleefacts.com

Follow him on twitter at: @paulwall5

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The world is going to end in 2012.

The world ending in 2012 is the only reason I can think of, that the Texas Rangers are in the World Series, while the Cowboys are 1-4, the Texas Longhorns are out of the Top 25, and TCU and Baylor are in the top 25.

The Rangers came into this season with three playoff appearances, and only having won one playoff game out of ten. This year, however, the Rangers changed all that. In the ALDS, the Rangers won games one and two, doubling their previous amount of postseason wins.

The Tampa Bay Rays would storm back and take games three and four, before “Mr. October,” Cliff Lee lead them to a Game five victory.

The Texas Rangers were finally winners of a postseason series, for the first time in franchise history. Their next opponent, in the ALCS, would be no cakewalk. The New York Yankees, winners of 27 World Titles, were looking to continue their quest for No. 28.

They were boasting former Ranger stars, such as Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez. The Yankees were trailing 5-0 in Game 1, before making a roaring comeback, leading most fans to believe, that the Bronx Bombers would easily dispose of the Rangers en route to a 28th title. 

The Rangers would not go quietly, however, taking three straight games from the Yankees in commanding fashion. The Yankees decisively took Game 5, to take the series back to Arlington.

In Game 6, Colby Lewis shut down the Yankees for eight innings, and Vladimir Guerrero, and Nelson Cruz made the Yankees pay with an RBI Double and 2-run homer respectively, following a Josh Hamilton intentional walk.

In the ninth inning, Neftali Feliz struck out Nick Swisher, got Robinson Cano to ground out, and the batter was Alex Rodriguez. After throwing fastballs that clocked at 98 mph, 99 mph and 100 mph, the count was 1-2.

The crowd was on its feet, and Feliz froze Rodriguez with an 83 mph curveball for strike three.  Is there a more fitting way for the Rangers to make their first ever World Series, than by striking out A-Rod? Oh the Irony of that moment. 

As soon as strike three was called by the umpire, pandemonium broke loose in Texas, people (including myself) waited in lines up to three hours after the game to get their Texas Rangers World Series merchandise. The Rangers have broken the curse!

Wait.

The Story is not over yet, the Rangers defeated the mighty Yankees, but they are not champions yet. What good would the 1980 Olympic hockey team win over the Soviet Union be, if they had not went and won the gold medal the next day?

The Texas Rangers have unfinished business, and in the World Series, they will be “Facing the Giants.”

The San Francisco Giants that is. Game 1 presents an awesome pitching matchup in the form of Cliff Lee vs. Tim Lincecum. The Rangers are looking for their first ever World Title, and they will have to slay the Giants in order to do so. 

The Giants are the best pitching team in the MLB, while the Rangers are the best hitting team in the MLB. This matchup is strength vs. strength.

The celebration has died down in Texas, and it is time for the Rangers to finish what they started.

The Rangers look to atone for the seasons of the Cowboys and the Longhorns.

Will the Rangers slay the Giants?

In the words of Rangers manager Ron Washington, “The Time is now.”

For questions regarding the article, please comment or send me an e-mail.

Paul Ferguson is an intern at Bleacher Report.

Paul is the director of NFL Content at premiersportstalk.com

Visit CleeFacts.com

Follow him on twitter at: @paulwall5

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The hit television show “Glee” has dominated Fox for the past year, but this October Cliff Lee, or “Clee,” as one site likes to call him, looks to take over Fox. 

Before the game in which Cliff Lee last pitched, Cliff Lee facts were trending on Twitter (#cleefacts). Some of the facts were ridiculous, such as “Cy Young won five Cliff Lee Awards” and “Neftali Feliz does not have to come to the game when Cliff Lee pitches, because Cliff Lee needs no closer.”

Here was my personal favorite: “Cliff Lee’s wife does not flirt with him, because no one hits on Cliff Lee.” These jokes were made all in good fun before the game, seeming more like hyperbole than fact. Then the game started and suddenly some of those “facts” looked more like the truth.

Cliff Lee dominated the Yankees, and the “facts kept coming.” This prompted one site, Cleefacts.com to begin to market the Clee Facts, and post them on to a site.

As a personal friend of the creators of the site, here are some facts you need to know about the widespread phenomenon that is CleeFacts. Clee Facts started out as knock off jokes of the Chuck Norris and Jack Bauer jokes that we have already heard a thousand times. They quickly grew into more baseball jokes until they were a huge hit with Rangers fans, Cliff Lee fans and baseball fans alike.

Here is a brief overview of the site that is quickly becoming very popular. I briefly spoke to two of the site creators today. Jorge Parrales and Jacob Herrera gave me a quick rundown of the site.

Cleefacts.com is a place that you can go and see your favorite facts about Cliff Lee, and even submit some yourself. At the bottom of the front page on the site, you can enter your name, email and an original Clee Fact, to receive credit for it on the site.

Each week the site will be running a contest to see who can come up with the best Clee Fact. The winner of the Contest each week will receive a free “I Heart Clee” T-shirt, as seen below. These very popular t-shirts, are selling like crazy, and are available for order on the site, for only $20. 

Clee Facts are becoming more and more popular each time Cliff Lee pitches. Go to Cleefacts.com and submit your own Clee Fact, or order a “I Heart Clee” t-shirt.

The next time Cliff Lee pitches, you do not want to be the only one without an “I Heart Clee” shirt.

This will be the next “Claw” and “Antlers” fad for all you Rangers fans.

“Clee Facts,” the facts about the most interesting man in baseball.

I will leave you with one more fact. “Cliff Lee was just banned from baseball for being a performance enhancing drug #CleeFacts.”

All you Rangers fans, Go and check out Cleefacts.com, or follow them on twitter at @Cleefacts to get all the latest info on our star pitcher.

For questions regarding the article, please comment or send me an e-mail.

Paul Ferguson is an intern at Bleacher Report.

Paul is the director of NFL Content at Premier Sports Talk

Visit Clee Facts

Follow him on twitter at: @paulwall5

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The Texas Rangers have dominated the New York Yankees in this series. They have outscored them 30-11, outhit .307 to .198, and the Yankees are only hitting .154 with runners in scoring position. Aside from the top half of the eighth inning in Game 1, the Rangers have dominated the Yankees in every way. C.J. Wilson dominated Yankee ace CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee dominated Andy Pettitte and Colby Lewis dominated Phil Hughes.

The Ranger bats have also dominated Yankee pitching. Josh Hamilton has hit four home runs in this series, and is looking more like the regular season MVP candidate. Nelson Cruz, Bengie Molina, Ian Kinsler, Elvis Andrus, Michael Young and even Mitch Moreland have all been swinging hot bats. The No. 7, 8, and 9 hitters in the Rangers’ order have produced 10 RBI this series, and Molina has four of them. The Texas Rangers are in prime position to advance to their first ever World Series.

Now, with a commanding 3-1 lead, the Rangers look to step on the Yankees throat, when they send C.J. Wilson to the mound tonight. 

Here are five reasons the Rangers will wrap up this series in Game 5 tonight.

1. Josh Hamilton

Josh Hamilton is perhaps swinging the hottest bat in the postseason right now, except for maybe Cody Ross. Hamilton has hit four homers in four games, while showing the MVP-like hitting he produced in the regular season. 

Hamilton has had many clutch hits in this series. His home run in the first inning of Game 3 gave Cliff Lee all the support he would need in that game. His homers in the seventh and ninth innings of last night’s game, put the nail in the Yankees’ coffin en route to a 10-3 win.

If Hamilton continues to swing a hot bat, then the Rangers will have no problem wrapping up this series in five games. The series ending in five games is something few people predicted for the start of this series. Hamilton is a main reason that it could end in five.

2. All-Around Play of Elvis Andrus

Elvis Andrus has been a monster in this series. He has affected every game in every way. He has a hit in every game this postseason. He is one of the best on the team at producing productive outs. Elvis Andrus has affected games at the plate, in the field, and on the base paths. He has the ability to get on base from the leadoff spot, to advance the runners over, or to drive a runner who is in scoring position in.

Perhaps his most effective quality, however, is in the field. Last night was a prime example of this, Andrus made a diving stop on a grounder, and while still on the ground made the force out at third. This saved a run or even two, and changed the whole complexion of the game.

If Andrus can continue his stellar all-around play in Game 5, the Rangers will make quick work of the Yankees. 

3. No Mark Teixeira

Mark Teixeira severely strained his right hamstring sliding into first to beat a throw on Tuesday night in Game 4. He will need six to eight weeks to recover from an injury where he came up awkwardly on a fielders’ choice. 

Even though Teixeira was hitless, going 0-for-14, he is still one of their most dangerous hitters, and he hits in the No. 3 spot in their lineup. Teixeira is one of the most dangerous hitters in the game and could hit it out at any time.

More than his hitting, Teixeira is a phenomenal fielder. He made two outstanding plays on balls hit to the right side of the infield, saving runs. His defense will be hard to replace, and could provide opportunity to take advantage.

4. Nelson Cruz and Vladimir Guerrero 

Cruz and Guerrero hit in the No. 4 and 5 spots in the Texas lineup. Cruz has been on a tear this postseason, hitting home runs, doubles and driving in a lot of runs. Guerrero has been quiet this postseason, looking like he is in a slump, but he showed signs of resurgence last night, when he was able to produce three hits.

When Cruz and Guerrero are both productive, it makes the Rangers lineup even more dangerous. This does not allow Yankee pitchers to pitch around Hamilton to get to Guerrero.

If Guerrero and Cruz come alive tonight, the game, and the series will be over before the Yankees know it.

5. C.J. Wilson

C.J. Wilson pitched a gem in Game 1, even though the Rangers took the loss. He outpitched Yankee ace CC Sabathia in every way, and fooling the Yankees time and time again. He is left-handed like Cliff Lee, and is showing signs of even pitching like Lee, and that is a scary sign for opposing hitters.

Wilson went 15-8 this season, and the Rangers went 23-9 when he pitched. Wilson will look to expound on his Game 1 performance, and shut the Yankees down.

C.J. Wilson has the ball in his hands to lead the Rangers to their first ever World Series.

The Rangers have the Yankees on the ropes with the ability to deliver the knockout blow tonight. C.J. Wilson has the chance to lead a whole state into jubilation.

The eyes of the entire state will be on this game tonight, with anticipation of a first ever World Series.

Will there be rejoicing in Arlington, Texas tonight?

Any thoughts on this article? Please comment or Email me at paulferguson2@att.net

Paul Ferguson is an intern at Bleacher report

Follow him on twitter at: @paulwall5

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

There will be joy in Texas, for mighty Ian Kinsler has hit a homerun.

The Texas Rangers, facing elimination in game five, and yet another first round postseason exit, were able to finally muster up some magic for a franchise that has not had much to get excited about. In 1996, 1998, and 1999 the Texas Rangers won the AL West, but each time they would fall to the Yankees in the ALDS, winning only one game in three postseason appearances.

This time however would be different, for the first time, the Rangers ALDS opponent was not named the New York Yankees.

This time they would face the Tampa Bay Rays. After taking games one and two behind the stellar pitching performances of Cliff Lee and C.J. Wilson, the Rangers looked to have the series in the bag.

Texas was ahead 2-1 in Arlington with only five outs remaining when the Rays would mount a comeback to take game three 6-2. In game four, Tommy Hunter was hit hard by the Rays, and the Rays were never really challenged, cruising to a 5-2 win.

The Rangers would have to return to Tropicana Field in order to close this series. Having lost all momentum, many wondered if the young Rangers would have what it takes to close out this series on the road, against a team who had won the toughest division in baseball.

The Rangers, however, had one final trick up their sleeve. Who was this trick? Cliff Lee, postseason ace, Mr. October, with ice water running through his veins, went out to pitch game five for the Rangers. His opponent would be the same as game one, All Star Game starter, David Price. Lee proceeded to strike out 11, give up six hits and allow only one run in a 5-1 win over the Rays.

The Rangers would find clutch hitting in the form of Elvis Andrus, Nelson Cruz, and Vladimir Guerrero, before Ian Kinsler would shut the door on the Rays in the ninth with a two-run homer.

The Rangers would get a 39 year old monkey off of their back, and are now headed to face the dreaded Yankees in the American League Championship Series. The Yankees hold a 9-1 record against the Rangers in the playoffs, but the Rangers hope to change that.

ALDS MVP: Cliff Lee-

Cliff Lee showed why he the Rangers would trade top prospect Justin Smoak in the first place. Cliff Lee has never lost a postseason game, and that did not change in this season. Cliff Lee went 2-0 in two crucial starts against a 19 game winner, posted 21 strikeouts, and only allowed two runs. Cliff Lee was the main reason the Rangers won this series, and the main reason they have a chance against the Yankees. If the Rangers manage to split the first two games, they will be looking at Lee in game 3, and the Yankees will be forced to pitch C.C. Sabbathia on short rest to even up the series.

ALDS MVP Honorable Mentions: Elvis Andrus, Nelson Cruz, Ian Kinsler, C.J. Wilson-

All of whom who played outstanding in this division series.

The Rangers have shook a major monkey off of their backs, but the season is not over yet. Postseason ace Cliff Lee is a Yankee killer, and C.J. Wilson is no slouch either. Can the Rangers find some more magic on the inside, and make a World Series run?

None of that matters right now.

A celebration 39 years in the making has just started in Texas.

For questions regarding the article please comment, or send me an E-mail.

Paul Ferguson is an intern at bleacher report.

Follow him on twitter at: @paulwall5

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The Texas Rangers are looking for their first playoff series win in franchise history, and last week, it looked like they would get it. The Rangers took games one and two in commanding fashion, giving up only one run. Starting pitchers Cliff Lee, and C.J. Wilson dominated both games, leading Rangers fans to think a sweep was in order. The sweep, however would not be so, leading 2-1 in the late innings of game 3, Ron Washington made some questionable decisions with the bullpen, and they could not finish the job, losing 6-2.

In game four, the Rangers could never get going and they were dominated by the Rays 5-2. The bats of star hitters, Michael Young, Josh Hamilton and Vladimir Guerrero have been nonexistent this series. The trio, who were expected to lead the Rangers to victory, have been nowhere to be found.

The Rangers missed an opportunity to close out the series at home, and now must return to Tropicana Field to close out the first series win in franchise history.

Here are four reasons why Rangers fans should be confident of a win in game five.

1. The Play of Elvis Andrus.

This is a strange way to start off this list, Andrus does not hit for power, has never played in a post season, and is only a second year starter. How can he possibly be a factor in the Rangers winning in game five? The answer is Andrus has been nothing short of spectacular in this series.

He is batting .316 in this series with though he only has one RBI. He has been a force on the base paths, stealing bases, forcing the Rays to make bad throws, and generating run producing innings. He has done an outstanding job at the lead-off position, working high pitch counts to start the game, and making things happen for the Rangers.

In the field, he has also been outstanding, making spectacular plays that belong on the highlight reel, as well as making numerous plays to save runs.

If he can keep this up in game five, the 22 year old will be a main part of why the Rangers will win their first division series in franchise history.

2. Josh Hamilton Remembers How to Hit.

Josh Hamilton had an MVP regular season. He posted a .359 batting average, with 32 Home Runs, and 100 RBI’s. Hamilton is the main reason for the Rangers first post season birth in eleven years as he’s been fantastic. His play in the field was great, and he has had several game saving plays, both in the field and at the plate.

In the post season, however, Josh Hamilton is no where to be found. If the Rangers are going to win this series, Josh Hamilton will have to play a major role in game five.

Josh Hamilton has put this team on his back and led them to victory before. Trailing 8-2 against the Red Sox on August 13, Hamilton put the Rangers on his back in a way never seen before. He made plays in the field, at the plate, and on the base paths in a game the Rangers would win 10-9.

Hamilton needs to have another take over game if the Rangers are to win game five.

3. Cliff Lee.

Cliff Lee is Mr. October. He has never lost a post-season game, going 5-0 in his short, but very successful career in the playoffs. Last year with the Phillies, Lee won both World Series games that he started, but the Phillies would still lose the series 4-2. Should the Rangers win and face the Yankees, Cliff Lee boasts a 6-1 record with a 2.76 ERA against the Bronx Bombers since 2007.

In the post season, there is no one else you would rather have on the mound than Cliff Lee, and the Rangers are starting him in game five. This is the reason the Rangers traded for Lee in the first place. The Rangers are in a win or go home situation facing elimination, and they will hand the game ball to Cliff Lee and say “put us on your back.”

Cliff Lee beat the Rays and all star pitcher David Price in game one. If Lee can do it again, the Rangers will be headed to their first American League Championship series in franchise history.

4. Cliff Lee, Again.

When you just get down to it, the fate of this game rest solely in the hands of Cliff Lee. If he brings his usual playoff stuff, the Rays can kiss their season goodbye. If however, Lee does not shown up in the post season for the first time ever, the Rangers will be looking at yet another one and done.

Rangers fans should have faith though, because when has Cliff Lee not been ready for a post season game?

The ball is in your hands Cliff Lee.

The Rangers put all of their hope in you.

For questions regarding the article please comment, or send me an E-mail.

Paul Ferguson is an intern at bleacher report.

Follow him on twitter at: @paulwall5

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com