5 Reasons the Rangers Win Game 5

Tuesday, October 12, 2010 Posted by Kyle Mountain
Tonight is a big night in baseball. Game 5 of the ALDS is tonight between the Rays and Rangers, the winner of whom will face the Yankees in the ALCS. Since about game 30 of this season I've had a feeling the Rangers would represent the AL in the World Series this year, so without further ado here are my 5 reasons the Rangers will win Game 5 tonight:

1) The Rays' (Lack Of) Home-Field-"Advantage"

In most ballparks a playoff atmosphere is extremely uplifting for the home team and rattling for the visitors. However, with the Rays recent playoff success over the last couple of years it has become evident that their ballpark is slightly different. Tropicana has become notorious for being a boring ballpark, even in the post-season which is slightly embarrassing. The fans in Florida are a bit too relaxed to effectively rev up a ball club which will in turn hurt the club.



2) Cliff Lee

This guy is dominant in the playoffs. In fact, he's never lost a playoff game. You can't argue with results. If I'm going into a playoff game with him I'm pretty confident, and nothing against David Price but the Rangers have a big edge when it comes to starting pitching tonight. If the Rangers bats are going at all tonight they should be in a good position to win the game. I mean, if Cliff Lee is on the mound you have a good shot at winning if you score 3 runs, which isn't the case with most pitchers.








3) Josh Hamilton's Absense



The Rangers have hung around in the series despite Josh
Hamilton hitting just .143. The guy hit .360 this year so you better believe he's going to wake up sooner or later, but the Rangers have managed to produce hits and runs even without Hamilton being his usual self. So if tonight is the night that Hamilton breaks out it'll be hard for the Rays to hang around.












4) David Price's Game 1



The Rangers were all over David Price in game 1. He gave up 9 hits in 6.2 innings pitched as well as 5 earned runs, and this has to give the Rangers confidence going into the game. They know Cliff Lee is more than likely going to do his job, and if they get to Price early I wouldn't expect him to bounce back too easily - he'll be easily rattled after his game 1 performance.












5) C.J. Wilson Could Relieve Lee

C.J. Wilson had a great outing against the Rays in Game 2 giving up just 2 hits in 6.1 innings pitched, and because of the off-day on Monday he's well rested and ready for tonight if need be. Now, I wouldn't expect him to go in knowing Cliff Lee, but in the case that Lee doesn't play too well, Wilson will be there to back him up. The Rays had a very hard time against these two in games 1 and 2, and what if they have to face them both in game 5??

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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

5 Reasons the Rangers Win Game 5

Tonight is a big night in baseball. Game 5 of the ALDS is tonight between the Rays and Rangers, the winner of whom will face the Yankees in the ALCS. Since about game 30 of this season I've had a feeling the Rangers would represent the AL in the World Series this year, so without further ado here are my 5 reasons the Rangers will win Game 5 tonight:

1) The Rays' (Lack Of) Home-Field-"Advantage"

In most ballparks a playoff atmosphere is extremely uplifting for the home team and rattling for the visitors. However, with the Rays recent playoff success over the last couple of years it has become evident that their ballpark is slightly different. Tropicana has become notorious for being a boring ballpark, even in the post-season which is slightly embarrassing. The fans in Florida are a bit too relaxed to effectively rev up a ball club which will in turn hurt the club.



2) Cliff Lee

This guy is dominant in the playoffs. In fact, he's never lost a playoff game. You can't argue with results. If I'm going into a playoff game with him I'm pretty confident, and nothing against David Price but the Rangers have a big edge when it comes to starting pitching tonight. If the Rangers bats are going at all tonight they should be in a good position to win the game. I mean, if Cliff Lee is on the mound you have a good shot at winning if you score 3 runs, which isn't the case with most pitchers.








3) Josh Hamilton's Absense



The Rangers have hung around in the series despite Josh
Hamilton hitting just .143. The guy hit .360 this year so you better believe he's going to wake up sooner or later, but the Rangers have managed to produce hits and runs even without Hamilton being his usual self. So if tonight is the night that Hamilton breaks out it'll be hard for the Rays to hang around.












4) David Price's Game 1



The Rangers were all over David Price in game 1. He gave up 9 hits in 6.2 innings pitched as well as 5 earned runs, and this has to give the Rangers confidence going into the game. They know Cliff Lee is more than likely going to do his job, and if they get to Price early I wouldn't expect him to bounce back too easily - he'll be easily rattled after his game 1 performance.












5) C.J. Wilson Could Relieve Lee

C.J. Wilson had a great outing against the Rays in Game 2 giving up just 2 hits in 6.1 innings pitched, and because of the off-day on Monday he's well rested and ready for tonight if need be. Now, I wouldn't expect him to go in knowing Cliff Lee, but in the case that Lee doesn't play too well, Wilson will be there to back him up. The Rays had a very hard time against these two in games 1 and 2, and what if they have to face them both in game 5??

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Posted by Kyle Mountain at 3:34 PM

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