After everything that has happened in Arlington, Texas this year, it seems like the Texas Rangers are a team of destiny. It will continue against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday when the Rangers take a 2-1 series lead.
After the Cardinals were looking to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the 2011 World Series, Jason Motte, who has been lights out in the postseason, allowed his first earned run in the playoffs during the ninth inning of Game 2. Texas went on to pick up their first victory of the season.
It’s been that kind of year for the Rangers.
Whether it’s going up against the hottest team in the American League (Tampa Bay Rays) or defeating Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers, Texas has found ways to get the job done.
Whatever jams the franchise, whether it be stadium safety restrictions, player’s health issues or recovering from a World Series defeat, Texas has been able to continue their great stretch of play and overcome their struggles.
They won the National League way on Thursday night – playing small ball, stealing bases, moving up on throws and hitting sacrifice flies. It isn’t pretty baseball, but that’s how you have to beat a Tony La Russa club on the road.
Now they will head back to Arlington to play the American League way. Bringing the designated hitter will only help a team that plays with one consistently in the regular season.
Both teams are equally matched. I believe that the Cardinals will begin to slow down starting in tonight’s game. Remember, this is a team that had to erase several games in the standings just to catch the Atlanta Braves. They are tired. It seems to be showing.
Ron Washington and the Rangers have proved that persistence, and a constant effort, will bring success. After tonight’s game, Texas will be two games away from winning what they lost last year—the World Series.
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