subject: Texas Rangers Tickets - Lee Needs To Get It Together For Playoffs [print this page] With a seven game lead as of SeptWith a seven game lead as of Sept. 8, the Texas Rangers seem all but a sure thing to reach the postseason. Barring a Mariners-esque late season comeback from either the Angels or the A's, the Rangers will be reaching the postseason for the first time in more than a decade. With a great lineup, surprisingly strong starting pitching and good mojo heading into the playoffs, the Rangers could potentially be in position to make some playoff noise. For that to happen, however, they'll need their major stars to play like it when it matters the most, including the scuffling Cliff Lee and injured Josh Hamilton.
When the Rangers first grabbed Cliff Lee from the Seattle Mariners earlier in the year, it seemed like Texas had not only wrapped up the division but also put together a scary postseason team as well. Lee, at the time, was the front-runner for the Cy Young and the Rangers' lineup was so strong that they could beat teams just about any way imaginable.
Since his torrid start with the Rangers, however, Lee has really struggled over the last few weeks of the season. But August has treated Lee pretty poorly as his E.R.A. has continually risen, as has his loss total. Lee hasn't won a start since Aug. 6 and he was promptly skipped in the rotation after getting shelled for his fifth consecutive outing at the end of August. Though Lee is scheduled to get back on the mound for his next start against the Yankees, Lee's struggles have been well publicized and could undermine the postseason plans of the Rangers.
Also certainly making it difficult for the Rangers, of course, is the rib injury of Josh Hamilton. Though Hamilton probably won't miss too much more time and is already getting close to his return, it's simply the wrong time of year for the Rangers' best player to be banged up. While Hamilton was probably in line for the American League M.V.P., a slow month of September could cause voters to look at players like Miguel Cabrera or even Joe Mauer.
But even if the Rangers' storybook season has hit a couple bumps in the road, there is still a lot for Rangers fans to look forward to. With Vladimir Guerrero still mashing and helping to sell Texas Rangers tickets, the Rangers still have plenty of pop to get them to the postseason, where they remain a very tough opponent in the first round. Players like C.J. Wilson continue to have outstanding seasons as has closer Neftali Feliz, giving them a solid second starter and a reliable closer who has proven he can get the job down in the late innings.
Much publicity has also followed Lee's supposed dislike of the extreme summer heat of Texas, which has only swollen amidst rumors that he preferred to be traded to the Yankees. Whether this is actuality or not is largely irrelevant as Lee has proven that he can be an absolute dominant postseason pitcher - something he will almost certainly get another chance to prove in a month's time. With a new contract on the line for next season, Lee has the motivation - both financially and competitively - to anchor the Rangers' staff and lead them as deep into the postseason as he's capable of getting them.
The other good news is that Hamilton's injury looks far from life threatening. Though it will likely take Hamilton a couple weeks to get his swing together, he has enough time to rest his ailing ribs and get his timing back before he'll have to take on either the Rays or the Yankees in the first round of the postseason. Baseball seasons are long for a reason and every team has to go through a tough period that tests how good they truly are. The Rangers are enduring theirs right now but have a great opportunity to prove to the rest of the league that they are as good as advertised.
by: Pat Smith
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