AL Champion Texas Rangers
Manager: Ron Washington
Season Record: 90-72
Previous World Series Appearances: NA
Previous World Series Titles: NA
2010 ALCS MVP: Josh Hamilton
NL Champion San Francisco Giants
Manager: Bruce Bochy
Season Record: 92-70
Previous World Series Appearances: (SF) 2002, 1989, 1962, (NY) 1954, 1951, 1937, 1936, 1933, 1924, 1923, 1922, 1921, 1917, 1913, 1912, 1911, 1905, 1904
Previous World Series Titles: (NY) 1954, 1933, 1922, 1921, 1905
2010 NLCS MVP: Cody Ross
First off I want to apologize for my lack of Championship previewing, I have been very busy and a trip back to WVU certainly didn't help. With that said, who out there predicted this series back in April? Don't everyone jump up all at once....
This series guarantees either a
franchises first ever title or an end to one of the longest droughts in all of sports. To that respect it is kinda cool and intriguing, unfortunately this series also has lowest ratings in a half decade or so written all over it. Ratings don't matter to me or should make a difference to true sports fans. There is a great deal of talent here.
As I see it game may literally decide this series more then it ever has any other fall classic in recent memory. Not only has the game one winner taken the crown six of the last 7 times but it all comes down to the man, the myth, the legend Cliff Lee. Unlike in the ALCS Lee including on short rest once can realistically pitch 3 times only needing to win twice to probably give Texas the title. After saying that it seems like it is their series to lose and it really is. Lee VS Lincecum pits two former Cy Young winners and studs against each other. If the Giants can find a way to do the unthinkable to get to Lee early and often and take it then the momentum will flip right to the team by the bay. Can Lee continue to be undefeated in the post-season? He may not have to be to avoid becoming the Marian Hossa of baseball and continual runner up super star but he absolutely needs to not get that first loss on Wednesday. Outside of these two both teams have deeper staffs then people first thought. Wilson and Cain are nothing to sneeze at and all the way down to Sanchez and both Hunter and Lewis (proven by pennant clinching game) runs may not be a premium.
Pitching is a bit of a wash starter wise but bullpen the clear edge is to the Giants. Brian Wilson is toatlly out of his mind crazy, that is the exact recipe to be a dominant closer and he knows it. A multiple time 40 save guy has now been put on the national stage due to this playoff run. Texas brings out a rookie, Neftalli Feliz, he has been lights all season and set the first year save record. I still give the advantage to San Fran, the veteran experience and the fact Wilson has done it for years is enough for me. Feliz run with Texas has been compared to both K-Rod's and Rivers'a rookie years, both lead to championships for the 2002 Angels and 96 Yankees. I think these comparisons are completely misguided and wrong! Rodriguez and Mariano were not closers on those teams, they were the setup men behind long time border line hall of fame closers John Wetteland and Troy Percival. They both did not have anything close to the pressure Feliz has had this year and will have in the World Series and not only that the 8th inning is far different from attempting to get those last 3 outs.
Offensively is where things are not close. The Rangers proved what has been true for years, they can rack with the best em and can do it better. They have typical American League power that is devastating as well as do it with the highest collective batting average in baseball. Michael Young leads by example on the field and is a Derek Jeter type without the recognition stat wise. He has one of the best eyes I have seen in a while, Ted Williams like to be honest. Hamilton is just a beast and is most likely an MVP threat every season from here on out. Cruz who has been hurt off and on can add that extra punch if any of these guys are slumping and Vladimir Guerrero may swing at literally every pitch but connects more often then not. Guerrero, the normal DH, will play in right field in one of the first two games (I would start him in game 1 due to it's importance). If it were not for Josh he would be in the MVP conversations and all I'll say is history has taught us hall of fame guys who finally crack into their first World Series as their clock almost runs out have stepped up and made an impact. I guarantee he makes his presence felt at some point. All this and I didn't even mention Andrus or Kinsler who have as much skill with the bat as they do with the glove.
As far as the Giants go Charlie Manuel said it best "this team is better then they get credit for, they're just pesky." That is surely the one word that sums them up the best. San Francisco brings the usual NL style of ball just as Texas is the standard AL squad. No longer are the Giants trying to get on and wait for the steroid monster to hit a bomb and send them home, they are now playing fundamental small ball and slapping hits across the diamond. This irritated every Phillis pitcher and can do to the same to the Rangers flame throwers if they are not careful. Aubrey Huff, rookie Buster Posey, Freddy Sanchez, Aaron Rowand (former World Series hero 2005....), and Renteria (former hero and goat 97, 04....), and Mr. Panda can hit jacks if needed but don't count on that winning it for them. The Giants play perfectly for their big spacious ballpark while the Rangers are built for their bandbox in Arlington. Texas can beat you in about every possible way so despite the rare National League home field advantage I'd still take the Rangers bat to put up the runs.
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This is one of the more difficult World Series to pick in a long time and no one including myself thought either one of these teams would be here. I am going with what now seems to be the slim betting favorites, Texas. I think every game will be close and most likely around the 5-4 range in scoring. Nolan Ryan put this team together the right way and even though it absolutely
makes no sense he has a Rangers cap on his plaque in Cooperstown (he played his final 5 years there after almost a decade with 2 other teams) he is now Mr. Ranger. Ryan was recently quoted by saying he can't hardly remember his only World Series title of his career, he won it all with the 1969 Mets as a 22 year old 3rd year sensation then never advanced back the remaining 25 years of his illustrious career, that goes to show just how rare this opportunity can sometimes be. Since he can't remember the championship I'm assuming he probably can't locate that ring from over 40 years ago, he needs one he wont ever lose.
As much as I will find it absolutely hilarious and know it would secretly eat at it him forever for the Giants to earn their first crown since Mays basket catch to beat Cleveland 56 years ago 3 full seasons AFTER Bonds retired I just don't see it happening. Texas Rangers win their first ever World Series title in their first trip in 6. Either way the real winner is Bengie Molina who will add to the Molina trio ring trophy case
either way. 
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