Rangers vs. Yankees | Game 1 ALCS

Claw & Antlers vs. Pinstripe Prestige

The Rangers have reached the ALCS and are looking to getting past the Yankees. Although the Yankees had a better overall season record than the Rangers - - so did the Rays.

Ranger fans are excited and excited to the fact that they may not know how to behave. When the Rays took an early two run lead in the division series games, that crowd went silent. When fans expect to lose, they back down, once something doesn't go their team's way.

The Yankee fans - expect their team to be in a championship series - heck they even expect them to be in the world series - not just this year, but every year. So when the other team gets a two run lead - the Yankee fans know to get louder and show more support.

The game 1 'probable' pitching matchup is CJ Wilson vs. CC Sabathia. CJ Wilson - Cliff Lee's apprentice - has come a long way this season and all the thanks to Cliff Lee's mentoring. We all need somebody to be like to follow and CJ Wilson found that in Lee. CC Sabathia - winning machine - when he toes the rubber, the rest of his teams feels the need to win. Win any way they can - it was extremely evident in the series vs. Twins - as when Sabathia pitched - the Yankees found a way, any way to win.

For more official mlb.com coverage - click here

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Excitement in North Texas - Rangers! Rangers! Rangers!

Rangers Lose 6-3 to Rays | Series now 2-1 Rangers

The Rays had some good pitching from Garza - but the story in yesterday's game was John Jaso's two RBI hit in the eighth inning which gave the Rays their first lead in the series.
[Read more about this game here]

Electric in the Air
What I really wanted to talk about is the excitement in this town for the Rangers. I spend my time in the evenings coaching baseball for individuals, small groups and teams, which allows me the opportunity to talk baseball, mostly Ranger, with kids, parents and other coaches. The Rangers and Rays did not have the best game times at all on Wednesday and Thursday, however there were still quite a lot of folks finding ways to follow (watch live tv, game trackers, radio, internet radio, etc.) the games.

Youth Players in School
Unfortunately games 1 and 2 were played in the middle of the day when most youth Ranger fans were in school. With some youth players - they went to technology to follow the game. Some took a little bit more time at their lockers with their smart phone devices - launching game tracker to follow the Rangers. Some players even had access to live game via the paid version of 'MLB At-Bat'.

What I also heard - which is just great - some teachers put the Rangers game on in their classrooms - so youth fans could watch and be part of the excitement.

Back to Arlington
How much excitement is in the air around North Texas and the Rangers? A record crowd of 51,746 were at Saturday's game, enjoying 80 degree weather and the Ranger's jumping out to a early one run lead in the third inning and held that lead until the sixth. As much as it would have been great to see the Rangers win to move onto the 'championship' series - it is just as great that 'MORE' Rangers fans will get a chance to experience post season atmosphere at 'The Ballpark in Arlington' today.

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Divison Series 2010 | Day 2

One More....One More....and Only One | Questionable Calls


The Rangers and the Yankees just need one more game to win a division series and the Giants only needed one run behind a Lincecum shut out.


The Rangers beat the Rays 6-0 with some solid pitching from CJ Wilson and get run support from a three-run homer by Michael Young and Ian Kinsler's homer. CJ Wilson went 6 1/3, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out seven. A questionable check swing call in the fifth inning during Michael Young's at-bat - which he would then go yard for a three run homer.
[More on Rangers vs. Rays Game 2 @ mlb.com]


The Yankees win last night over the Twins 5-0 behind a tie breaker double and a homer by Lance Berkman. Petite...well - he was just 'Playoff' Petite going seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits with a walk and four strikeouts. In the Lance Berkman at-bat that he hit the tie breaker double, there was a questionable call on a 1-2 pitch on the inside corner, which allowed Berkman to continue his at-bat and hit a double scoring Jorge Posada.
[More on Yankees vs. Twins Game 2 @ mlb.com]


The Giants win a tight one over the Braves 1-0 where pitching and defense were the highlight and focus. Tim Lincecum and Derek Lowe pitched outstanding and the only thing to separate the two was the Brave's defense as they committed two errors. Lincecum pitched a complete game allowing only two hits and set a franchise post season record with 14 strikeouts. Licencum's battery mate, Buster Pose, scored the only run from second base on a base hit by Cody Ross. Posey ended up on second base after being called safe on what appeared to be a 'striking 'um out - throw 'um out' double play.
[More on Giants vs. Braves Game 1 @ mlb.com]


Games continue today - check out the schedule @ mlb.com

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Divison Series 2010 | Day 1

Rangers Win....No Hitter....Yankee Rally

In opening day of the MLB postseason there was a surprise, a record and team grit. It was an excellent day for baseball and and excellent day for a baseball student.

The Rangers and Rays started the day off, with the Rangers winning 5-1 behind solid pitching and timely hitting. Cliff Lee had 10 strikeouts in seven innings, only giving up one run and got run support with a pair of homers by Cruz & Molina and a pair of RBI doubles by Francoeur and Guerrero.
[More on Rangers vs. Rays Game 1 @ mlb.com]

The Phillies and Reds continued the day and kept all on the edge of there seats as 'Doc' Halladay throws a no hitter for the Phillies to win 4-0. Halladay only allowed one baserunner when he walked Jay Bruce on a 3-2 count in the fifth inning. Not only did Halladay spot all his pitches and keep the hitters off balance, he threw 25 of 28 first pitch strikes. This is only the second no hitter thrown in post season history.
[More on Phillies vs. Reds Game 1 @ mlb.com]

The Yankees and Twins closed the night out with a back-n-forth game, with the Yanks rallying and a foul pole scrapping two-run homerun by Teixeira to take and keep the lead and Yanks win 6-4. Sabathia grinded even though he got behind early in the game and the offense supported him, getting four runs in the sixth. He gave up one run in the bottom of the sixth, but later in the game the two-run homer by Teixeira sealed the deal.
[More on Yankees vs. Twins Game 1 @ mlb.com]

Games continue today - check out the schedule @ mlb.com

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Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays

Well....who would've thunk it....not I.

But in any case this is going to be a very good match up and to get it going, you've got Cliff Lee and David  Price. Price being a very well deserving Cy Young candidate and Lee...well just being Lee - only 18 walks all season.

All the division series will be great, however this one will be the best. These are two teams that have everything to gain, just by being here and everything to prove by winning.

If you have checked online to try and get tickets for Saturday's game in Texas...forget it - you should have pre-order those the day the Rangers clinched the title.

For information about this matchup....check out the article at mlb.com.

Every EXPERT started as a BEGINNER

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