Texas Rangers

In creating a winning team, as the Rangers have, it's not just who you have on the team, but who you DON'T have. One reason that the Rangers are in the ACLS in 2010 is because they had dumped a number of talented players that nevertheless could have hurt the team.

Some of the better trades were those of older players for younger talent with greater potential.

The American League Championship Series moves to the Bronx tonight as the Yankees and Rangers are locked up at one game apiece. The pitching matchup of Andy Pettitte and Cliff Lee should be a great one.

However, there may be a matchup that is just as important.

Yankees starter Andy Pettitte must keep the Texas base runners from running wild. The Rangers got the Yankees in an early hole in Game 2 after stealing three bases, including a steal of home in the first inning.

Before the postseason started, I predicted that the Texas Rangers would make the World Series. I didn't write an article about it, but I did tell my friends. Everyone thought I was crazy. I got comments like, "Are you serious? There is no way they are beating the Rays!" Yeah OK.

Throughout the ALDS against the Rays, where the road team won every game, I was second-guessing my prediction. But it turns out I was right.

Fast forward to the ALCS against the Yankees. Well just continue reading.

It's not going to be a sweep for the Yankees. The Rangers got their first postseason victory at home in their nearly 50 seasons with a 7-2 blowout win over the Yankees.

After a bullpen collapse Friday night, the Rangers were able to hold on to their lead. The Rangers' bullpen was the complete opposite of what it was in their loss to New York on Friday. The Yankees were only able to obtain one hit in a little over three innings against the Rangers' bullpen.

The Rangers hired Ron Washington as their manager in 2007. They wanted a manager who would be the anti-Buck Showalter. They felt Washington's light approach would get guys to play at a high level after being worn down by Showalter's micromanagement.

Washington did not start out well in his first year as the Rangers manager. His team got off to a rough start, and he did not get along with Mark Teixeira.

Neftali Feliz just couldn’t wait. The rookie closer for the Texas Rangers propped open the bullpen door just a crack, peering onto the field to watch the action in the bottom of the eighth.

The Rangers' bullpen struggled in Game 1, surrendering a five-run lead to the mighty Yankee offense. Feliz was ever so anxious to redeem the unit. Redemption was the theme of Game 2 against New York. And the Rangers, seeking their first-ever postseason win at home, were in prime position to get it.

For the first time in franchise history, the Texas Rangers have won a home playoff game and ALCS game. Once again, the Rangers built a 5-0 lead and unlike last night, they held on.

A steal of home as part of a double steal for Texas got them going in the first and they never looked back. Just like in Game 1, the Yankees saw their starter struggle mightily. In the second inning, David Murphy hit his first career playoff home run and at the end, the Rangers won, 7-2.

I had a thought just now. Cliff Lee is controlling the Texas Rangers. Last night, in Game 1, Rangers manager Ron Washington was quick on the hook with starter C.J. Wilson. After Brett Gardner beat out that ground ball to first with a headfirst slide and Derek Jeter drove him in with a double down the left-field line, Washington yanked Wilson and went to his bullpen.

You know the rest.

As the top of the eighth inning began, I was brainstorming for this article. I even wrote a title, and was looking forward to chronicling C.J. Wilson’s magnificent start for the Texas Rangers and harping on how woeful CC Sabathia was for the New York Yankees.

Considering they held a 5-1 lead, I assumed Texas was on their way to their first playoff win at home. Assuming is a dangerous thing. And, too much confidence fueled bad case of Karma. My foolish presumption began to backfire.

Game 1 of the ALCS is complete and the Yankees pulled off a stunning comeback. After trailing 5-0 at one point, they stormed back with a run in the seventh and five in the eighth to take the lead.

It was a rally that crushed the crowd at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington and sent the Yankees to a 1-0 series lead, allowing them to regain home-field advantage.

The Rangers came out swinging early but couldn't build an insurmountable lead and saw their bullpen implode. Here's a report card, breaking down how the Rangers fared and what went wrong.