Texas Rangers | The Golden Sombrero Baseball Blog | MLB, Fantasy, College & High School Baseball News

World Series Thoughts and Predictions

With the Fall Classic kicking off tonight, I felt compelled to make my predictions for this exciting World Series. Let me start off by saying that I am rooting for Texas. For starters, as an Astros diehard I would not be able to look myself in the mirror if I rooted for those bastards from the Midwest. Iʼve been raised better than that. Secondly, being from Texas has always allowed me to have a reason to root for an American League team, so long as they were not actually playing my beloved Astros. That appears to be changing though. With news last week of new ownership taking over (finally) and Houston headed for the AL West, this may be my last chance to cheer for the other team from Texas. Unless something drastic happens they will become my new division rival (read: mortal enemy). On the other hand, the Cards will begin fading away as an enemy in my mind. Now I will be able to cheer out loud for Albert Pujols and not have to feel guilty about it. I can watch Lance Berkman and not resent his resurgence, because it will not be at the cost of my team. It seems almost fitting then, that this final series of baseball for 2011 pits my arch nemesis from the past against the arch nemesis of my future. Or, maybe I am just grabbing at air as I try to ascend from the endless abyss known as Astros fandom.

For my predictions:

Rangers win in 7

Josh Hamilton wins MVP with 7 homeruns, including 2 in Game 7.

ALDS Rangers vs. Rays Open Thread: We’re Ready for Moore

 

Tampa Bay Rays:

Matt Moore 1-0, 9.1 IP, 14.46 K/9, 2.89 ERA, 2.17 FIP, 1.85 xFIP, 0.4 fWAR

Sean Rodriguez, SS

B.J. Upton, CF

Evan Longoria, 3B

Ben Zobrist, 2B

Johnny Damon, DH

Kelly Shoppach, C

Casey Kotchman, 1B

Desmond Jennings, LF

Matt Joyce, RF

Texas Rangers:

C.J. Wilson: 16-7, 223.1 IP, 8.30 K/9, 3.60 ERA, 3.68 FIP, 3.79 xFIP, 5.9 fWAR

Ian Kinsler, 2B

Elvis Andrus, SS

Josh Hamilton, CF

Michael Young, 1B

Adrian Beltre, 3B

Mike Napoli, C

Nelson Cruz, RF

Yorvit Torrealba, DH

Craig Gentry, LF

Changeups and Screwballs: A Southpaw’s Perspective for 9/7/11

–  As a former student of the University of Nevada, I saw my fair share of drugged out women of the night.  Watching CJ Wilson last night brought back memories.  His cutter and curve were as nasty as the workers of Reno’s 4th street corners.

–  Speaking of the Rangers, who put firecrackers inside David Murphy?  Homeboy is blowing up right now; making the Rangers say “Nelson who?”

–  I really have to wonder what is in those cigs that Jim Leyland smokes.  Detroit has pulled away from the rest of the division by going 15-4 since August 19th.

–  Erik Bedard has been scratched from his next start…well of course he has, he is Erik Bedard.

–  Jordan Pacheco made it onto Baseball Tonight last night as part of the Rockies highlight.  Big ups to the kid who is a fellow New Mexican.  He was part of the La Cueva High School (Abq, NM) Bears baseball team that held the national record for consecutive wins.

–  Did anybody else realize that since June 18th, the Vanimal, Vance Worley, has made 14 starts, and the Phillies have won every single one of them?  I hadn’t realized that either.  Impressive.

–  And I don’t care who you are, watching Stephen Strasburg pitch last night was fantastic.  And to think it was a mere 12 months and 3 days since he was cut on.  Mind-blowing to think about.

Changeups and Screwballs: A Southpaw’s Perspective for 8/30/11

–       What a night for southpaws last night.  As predicted here yesterday, Wandy Rodriguez was masterful.  He struck out a career high 13 through seven-innings.  I’m glad the Astros kept him around, as he could be a solid No. 2 for years to come.

–       Did Cole Hamels forget that this was his first start back off the DL?  His breaker was Razor Ramon sharp last night.  It must be the most stress-free environment he has ever pitched in before, what with him being a No. 3 behind Doc and Cliff.

–       Another lefty, Clayton Kershaw looked brilliant (again) last night.  It’s hard to believe that this guy is only 23.  To put it in perspective, he is 6 months younger than my little sister (Big ups to my sister Blaire btw, who just recently became engaged and has the most beautiful 1 year old baby in the world) and is basically a veteran ace in his 4th big league season.  NL Cy Young anybody?

–       Sticking with lefties, albeit from the NFL, how about Mike Vick?!  Only NFL player in history to sign two $100,000,000 contracts.  I know this is a baseball blog, but I just had to show some proppers to the fellow southpaw.

–       Mark Teixeira made it 8 straight seasons of 30 HR and 100 RBI last night.  Is he the greatest switch hitter of all-time?  Not yet, but definitely the best of my generation.  If he can keep this up I see no reason why he won’t be the greatest.

–       While watching highlights of Carlos Santana hitting another bomb last, I had to listen to the sports anchors discuss whether or not Santana should stay behind the dish or not.  First, I hate listening to almost every sports anchor talk about things of this nature.  Not all, just most.  Secondly, it made me think about what baseball is turning into.  I understand the logic behind moving a strong hitter to a position that promotes longevity.  Heck, I’m not even sure if I’m against such a move.  It is something to think about though.

–       It’s always nice to have guys from other clubs make pitches to get you on their team; especially when that team is the Texas Rangers and you are from Texas.  But, c’mon C.J. Wilson, how do you think those comments made David Murphy feel?

–       Rough one for Timmy Jim.  Those Cubbies made him look like a jail cell bottom last night.  It’s OK though, Lincecum…it happens to everybody.

Golden Sombrero: Tyler Flowers

Bottom 1: Tyler Flowers struck out swinging against Matt Harrison

Bottom 4: Flowers struck out swinging against Harrison

Bottom 6: Flowers called out on strikes against Yoshinori Tateyama

Bottom 9: Flowers struck out swinging against Neftali Feliz

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K

Notes: With A.J. Pierzysnki on the DL for the first time in his career, Tyler Flowers (TFlo) has found himself in a rare starting opportunity that’s not Triple-A.  Even though he’s batting a respectable .281 through 36 at-bats this season—he hit .188 in 16 at-bats in 2009 and .091 in 11 at-bats in 2010—he did record his first career golden sombrero on Friday night against the Rangers.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 92