Are the Rangers a lock for their 3rd straight World Series?

[frogsrangers]

Just don't see anyone in the American League who can stand in their way....


Yankees? Showing flaws and too old, too reliant on home runs, not as complete of a team as the Rangers, just doesn't seem to be their year

White Sox? Played well against Rangers this year but got the Rangers in mid July when Rangers were sucking, not sure if they have the bats to win a 7 game series

Orioles? Rangers dominated them this year and they do not have the pitching to win a series against Texas

A's? Yeah they have the pitching but I think the Rangers would overwhelm them in a series

Tigers? Rangers have dominated them this year and pitching not as strong as it has been, and Verlander would probably throw the Wild Card game

Rays? They would probably have to throw David Price in the Wild Card game, and apart from him Rangers have done well against Rays pitching this year. Rays offense sucks.

[The Giant]

How do you not even have the Angels listed?

If they get in, and win the wildcard round, they are suddenly the team to beat.

[frogsrangers]

How do you not even have the Angels listed?

If they get in, and win the wildcard round, they are suddenly the team to beat.

[frogsrangers]

On a serious note, if somehow the Angels won a wild card spot, Weaver throws the Wild Card round, Rangers face Greinke and Wilson at the Big A and split at worst, since Greinke can't handle the spotlight and Wilson is garbage in the postseason and has been garbage the whole 2nd half.

Series returns to Texas and Angels throw Weaver, who sucks balls at Rangers Ballpark, and then who for a Game 4? Haren? Who has a terrible career statline in Texas? And Game 5 would be Greinke/Wilson again, both who suck at Rangers Ballpark, and in the postseason.

Rangers would win said series 3-1.

[frogsrangers]

My predictions though, are that the Rangers win AL West, White Sox win AL Central due to easier schedule, Yankees claim AL East by a hair. Wild Card is Orioles and A's, A's beat out Angels because there is no pressure on them, playing with house money.

A's beat Orioles in Wild Card due to better pitching, and A's face Rangers, split at the Coliseum but Rangers wrap it up in Arlington. On the other side, White Sox beat Yankees because Yankees propensity to choke in the ALDS. ALCS is Rangers-White Sox, which goes 6 games and Rangers win it and go back to the World Series for a rematch with the Cardinals.

[Deuce]

I think a hot Detroit team could beat them. Detroit is a different animal in the playoffs. Verlander/Scherzer/Fister would be tough. If bats are hitting they could be very dangerous. That goes with Angels too though.

[Chi_archie]

Rangers Pitching seems to be breaking down. Bats are hot now, but they are streaky and could easily go cold and not be enough to over come the runs being scored against them

[The Giant]

The Angels starting pitching is starting to gel.

And do you really think our vaunted offense fears the likes of Holland, Harrison, Darvish, or Dempster? Come on.

Texas better hope and pray the Angels don't get in, otherwise they are done.

[frogsrangers]

Rangers Pitching seems to be breaking down. Bats are hot now, but they are streaky and could easily go cold and not be enough to over come the runs being scored against them

This was said in 2010 and 2011 and it didn't happen

Rangers pitching has overachieved in the postseason

The only pitcher struggling right now is Harrison

[Deuce]

Texas starting pitching is suspect. Bats and shallow park do wonders for them.

[frogsrangers]

The Angels starting pitching is starting to gel.

And do you really think our vaunted offense fears the likes of Holland, Harrison, Darvish, or Dempster? Come on.

Texas better hope and pray the Angels don't get in, otherwise they are done.

The same Yu Darvish who has shut down the Angels twice this year?

Holland would be the 4th pitcher

If I were the Angels I'd worry about getting into the playoffs at all before thinking about beating the Rangers in the ALDS

[The Giant]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Yankees and Oakland both missed the playoffs.

[frogsrangers]

I think a hot Detroit team could beat them. Detroit is a different animal in the playoffs. Verlander/Scherzer/Fister would be tough. If bats are hitting they could be very dangerous. That goes with Angels too though.

I like Detroit in the ALDS against whoever they play, but its not going to be the Rangers, Tigers will play the AL East champ

[Balco10]

Giants beat them again....

[Chi_archie]

This was said in 2010 and 2011 and it didn't happen

Rangers pitching has overachieved in the postseason

The only pitcher struggling right now is Harrison

in August they all seemed to be struggling except Harrison, but Harrison's last two outings have been suspect. and his 2011 post season even more suspect. truth is, the Rangers don't have a true number 1 starting ace. and a few guys that are 2's but are breaking down

Matt Harrison	6	6	3	2	0	0	39.0	37	16	5	13	25	5.77	457.5	1.28	3.69
Ryan Dempster†	6	6	4	1	0	0	37.1	38	19	6	13	36	8.68	119.2	1.37	4.58
Roy Oswalt	5	2	1	0	0	0	15.1	14	8	1	4	18	10.57	384.5	1.17	4.70
Derek Holland	5	5	2	0	0	0	32.1	27	17	5	6	29	8.07	436.2	1.02	4.73
Yu Darvish	5	5	2	2	0	0	32.1	30	19	2	18	44	12.25	547.0	1.48	5.29
Scott Feldman	5	5	1	4	0	0	30.0	36	18	2	8	21	6.30	349.8	1.47	5.40

[darrell74]

Rangers are very square

[Mantle7]

On a serious note, if somehow the Angels won a wild card spot, Weaver throws the Wild Card round, Rangers face Greinke and Wilson at the Big A and split at worst, since Greinke can't handle the spotlight and Wilson is garbage in the postseason and has been garbage the whole 2nd half.

Series returns to Texas and Angels throw Weaver, who sucks balls at Rangers Ballpark, and then who for a Game 4? Haren? Who has a terrible career statline in Texas? And Game 5 would be Greinke/Wilson again, both who suck at Rangers Ballpark, and in the postseason.

Rangers would win said series 3-1.

*Weaver sucks balls in Texas? He just fukkn beat them in Texas 6-2.

*Haren just beat the Rangers last time against them 7-4

*Ervin Fukkn Santana beat Texas the last time he faced them. Lololol.

*If the pitching staff is where its at right now last series the Angels would have swept.

*Come on.. Texas is 4-6 in their last 10 vs. LAA.

The Rangers pitching staff is mediocre but their bats get them wins.

Every team you mentioned has a legitimate chance making it. Were going down the final stretch and it all comes down to whos able to put all together at the end. Baltimore, Angels, and Texas are the hottest teams as of right now and have the best shot to face the Nats in the World Series.

[Mantle7]

in August they all seemed to be struggling except Harrison, but oHarrison's last two outings have been suspect. and his 2011 post season even more suspect. truth is, the Rangers don't have a true number 1 starting ace. and a few guys that are 2's but are breaking down

Matt Harrison	6	6	3	2	0	0	39.0	37	16	5	13	25	5.77	457.5	1.28	3.69
Ryan Dempster†	6	6	4	1	0	0	37.1	38	19	6	13	36	8.68	119.2	1.37	4.58
Roy Oswalt	5	2	1	0	0	0	15.1	14	8	1	4	18	10.57	384.5	1.17	4.70
Derek Holland	5	5	2	0	0	0	32.1	27	17	5	6	29	8.07	436.2	1.02	4.73
Yu Darvish	5	5	2	2	0	0	32.1	30	19	2	18	44	12.25	547.0	1.48	5.29
Scott Feldman	5	5	1	4	0	0	30.0	36	18	2	8	21	6.30	349.8	1.47	5.40

This pitching staff ain't winning the World Series

[hawley]

Is OP a rangers fan by any chance?

[face]

super tough for angels to make wild card. 6 teams in the race. tigers have a bunch of easy games vs. twins and royals (tigers got swept though so there's that)

angels with tough schedule having to play the rangers 6 times, white sox 3, a's 3 times but they do get to play seattle 6 times

rays and orioles with pretty good remaining schedules, playing red sox blue jays indians twins mariners a bunch with a couple tough series sprinkled in

i say wild cards are rays, orioles, or tigers

not sure if yanks will even make a wild card. a's would have to beat the other wild card teams they play in the series, tough schedule for them too

[Mantle7]

Idk face, Detroit plays the Angels at home starting tomorrow. They took 5-6 against Seattle and Oakland. They match up very well with Texas

Idk... I'm obviously an Angels fan but Im not being biased. They're on fire. If they keep this pace and keep winning series I think they're sneaking in. Gotta take care of Detroit starting tomorrow but Santana is facing Scherer. Kind of scary but Santanas been good in September. Will see what happens. It's getting good!

[face]

well they are hot and fixed their bullpen a lot somehow. they have a tough road but if they win they get in.especially if they can keep beating rangers, who they play 6 times, BOL man, no horse in this race

[Mantle7]

Thanks, Buddy.

[Killer_Demo]

SF/Oakland will beat em out

[Chi_archie]

i just hope the season ending day/night is half as good as last year

[opie1988]

Angels

Detroit

[unluckysob]

Reds---rangers

[You mad bro]

U GUYS ARE ALL DUMB


You are all leaving out Toronto .. Fckn people

[Mantle7]

Well let the teams do the talking. Were coming down the final stretch. Oakland is gonna fall out of the wild card race I think. McCarthy and Colon both out for the rest of the season. Thank God McCarthy is ok. Fuk... 2 hour surgery relieving pressure on the brain? Really hope that's not a career ender. Kid plays for the A's and would have got "The Quan" when his contract was up.

[JuniorAnalyst]

Tigers or White Sox have value

[JuniorAnalyst]

If verlander fister and scherzer can get detroit into post season i dont see how you can beat them

[opie1988]

If verlander fister and scherzer can get detroit into post season i dont see how you can beat them

Uhhh....then you must not have watched much baseball this year.

[nosniboR11]

did you not watch last year junior, sick in tired of people saying the pitching , the pitching


have you not looked at the Rangers lineup, can put up runs

[Mantle7]

Weaver, Greinke, Haren

That's how...

Jk. Detroit has a chance they just need to put it all together. Their bats and pitching haven't been on the same page lately. Getting swept didn't look to promising. Angels have Santana going against Scherzer tonight. Should be a indicator of what to expect from them down the final stretch.

[ShogunRua]

If the Rangers lineup is hot come playoff time, it won't matter who the Angels/Tigers/etc throw up on the mound. The pitching staff doesn't have to pitch all that well if you're putting up 6-8 runs a game.