11:40 pm Pregame
The Tampa Bay Rays Texas Rangers and run from this year, the Major League Baseball playoffs this afternoon, as both teams look to make history. The beams make only their second appearance after their worst season unlikely to first season in 2008. Meanwhile, the Rangers have never won a playoff series in their history.
Game 1 features the best of the four series' pitching match-ups. Rangers starter Cliff Lee led the majors in pitching wins above replacement, while price blinded by traditional metrics, go 19-6 with a 2.72 ERA. As a result, both teams start some deeply flawed hitter who still have some success against left-handers. Rocco Baldelli, the unique view superstar who washed out of baseball because of health problems is an eye sixth and Dhing for the rays. Jeff Francoeur, the man is, the next Braves large home grown star, but turned into a sieve OBP and the subject of Internet should be plenty of snark, bats seventh for the Rangers.
In what is likely to be a low scoring game, individual matchups and situational play the difference may have to be. The beams will be looking to get their vaunted running game in gear, provided they can cobble together a couple of base runners. Meanwhile, the Rangers will benefit from a mostly right-handed team, their only left-handed hitter of note is MVP runner Josh Hamilton. Do not look for a clear edge when the game is a battle of bullpen, either. Both the beams and Rangers among the top five in MLB with advanced metrics.
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