Dallas Cowboys
NFL betting players were wondering how long it would take Jerry Jones to put Wade Phillips out of his misery, and the writing was on the wall after a 45-7 humiliation at Green Bay. Phillips was out the next day, making offensive coordinator Jason Garrett the interim head coach. Garrett’s first order of business was to institute a dress code and have the players practice in pads. The extra intensity must have worked as the Cowboys came out on fire in a 33-20 win on the road against the New York Giants in a game that wasn’t even that close. Dez Bryant had his first 100-yard game, and the defense forced three turnovers in their best performance in weeks. The talent has always been there, but the Cowboys actually cared this week, and that’s all it takes. They’ll have to bring that same attitude into Week 11, when they welcome an improved Detroit team to Dallas early on Sunday afternoon.

Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks have won seven of their first nine games ahead of Wednesday’s meeting with the Hornets in New Orleans, and the Hornets will have their stingers out after the Mavericks became the first team to beat them. Dallas ended the Hornets’ unbeaten run at eight games with a 98-95 win on Monday night at home, getting 26 points from Jason Terry. That was the third straight game in which Dirk Nowitzki wasn’t the leading scorer, and that bodes well for the Mavericks’ NBA betting odds because we all know Nowitzki can score at will. If this keeps him fresher for the playoffs, the season will be a success. The Mavericks have won four straight going into their Wednesday showdown with New Orleans, then they’ll host Chicago on Friday, head to Atlanta on Saturday, followed by another back-to-back when they welcome Detroit on Tuesday, then travel to Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Texas Rangers
Texas closer Neftali Feliz was named the American League Rookie of the Year after a phenomenal 40-save performance, and the Rangers are officially in offseason mode. The first order of business is to re-sign ace Cliff Lee, who has no shortage of suitors, including the deep-pocketed New York Yankees, who could barely hit Lee in the ALCS. They also are trying to re-sign slugger Vladdy Guerrero, and word is the Rangers are after catcher Victor Martinez to upgrade that position. If they can pull off this trio of signings, look for the Rangers near the top of next year’s betting odds.

I’ve done a couple informal studies, and the results are overwhelming:

If Darth Vader had a favorite baseball team, it would be the New York Yankees.

In an unrelated story (as far as you know), every time I hear someone talk about the Yankees, I hear this.

So how our plucky little Rebels – the Texas Rangers – going to take down the Galactic Empire, er, New York Yankees?

Find out after the jump.

Luke Skywalker (Cliff Lee) takes down Darth Vader (Derek Jeter) and Emperor Palpatine (Mariano Rivera) – The character closest to jumping to the New York Yankees must be considered Luke. Good thing for the Texas Rangers that he’s already a full-blown Jedi. I’m not quite sure if I could be a bigger Cliff Lee fan at this point, but it’s still unbelievable that one of the best postseason pitchers in baseball pitches for the Texas Rangers. It’s still not quite real. Kinda like the hologram at the end of Return of the Jedi that’s now Hayd———-.

Ooooh. Let me just stop right there. Painful subject.

But Cliff is going to strike at the heart of the Yankees (their offense) just like Luke struck at the heart of the Empire (the emperor). Plus I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cliff Lee’s arm turn into a green lightsaber by the end of the Series.

Han Solo (Josh Hamilton) and Chewbacca (Ian Kinsler) lead the invasion on Endor to destroy the shield generator (bludgeon the starting pitching) – We’re just going to pretend like the Ewoks aren’t really around. And that last series Josh Hamilton was still shaking off the effects of being frozen in carbonite. Anywho, Josh gets his mojo back early in the series with a couple of big hits against Sabathia (taking down Boba Fett, and what Jabba the Hutt joke? I don’t see any Jabba the Hutt jokes around here…) then leads the Rangers’ offense to enough runs to beat up the starting pitching and get into the soft underbelly of the New York Yankees (the bullpen before Mariano Rivera).

Admiral Ackbar (Ron Washington) and Mike Maddux hold off the Star Destroyers (deflect all criticism) – The media was all over these two guys for their handling of the bullpen in Game 3 of the Tampa Bay series, which was pretty undeserved in my opinion. Yeah Ron had a couple of quick hooks on a couple of guys, but a lot of the bullpen just flat struggled on Saturday night. Most of the time, that doesn’t happen. They’ll be just fine. Plus, it’s funny to think of Admiral Ackbar and Mike Maddux in the same ship.

IT’S A TRAP!

(Sorry, had to get that in. I’m good now.)

Biggs (Colby Lewis) and Wedge (CJ Wilson) cover Luke on the first strike on the Death Star (Games 1 and 2) – These are key games for the hopes of the Texas Rangers. If they can win at least one of the first two games (and pick up the first home playoff win in franchise history), their hopes for the series jump up a notch. That sets up Cliff Lee to win Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead. If the Texas Rangers get one of the following three games, they’re guaranteed to see Cliff in Game 7 at Rangers Ballpark. And, if you’ll let me shift into generic commentator mode for a second…

You know, if the Rebel Alliance hadn’t taken down the Death Star, the whole SERIES would have been different!

Lando Calrissian (Nelson Cruz) and Wedge Antilles (Michael Young) take down the Second Death Star (win the ALCS) with clutch hits – So what if Wedge was already used? He was promoted. Cruz was on fire during the ALDS, despite his unfortunate decision to admire his near homer in Game 5 (kinda like Lando’s unfortunate decision to trust Darth Vader). I expect that run to continue. I would certainly expect to see some late-inning heroics from the Boomstick in this series for the Texas Rangers. Michael Young didn’t have a huge role in the Division Series win, but the three-run homer in Game 2 sure was big. Somehow, he’ll find a way to have another big knock.

Prediction: The Rebels win, of course. In how long? Count the number of movies. (Even the prequels.)

Darth pic: http://deathstarpr.blogspot.com/2010/09/darth-vader-behind-mask.html

Texas Rangers – New York Yankees Preview: Game Time – First Pitch – TV Channel

Game 1 – Rangers: C.J. Wilson | Yankees: C.C. Sabathia
Rangers-Yankees Location: The Ballpark in Arlington – Arlington, TX
Rangers-Yankees Day / Date: Friday – October 15th 2010
Rangers-Yankees First Pitch: 7:07 PM Central Time
Rangers-Yankees TV Time: 7:00 PM Central Time
Rangers-Yankees TV Channel: TBS
Rangers-Yankees Rangers Tickets at StubHub.com!

Game 2 – Rangers: Colby Lewis | Yankees: Phil Hughes
Rangers-Yankees Location: The Ballpark in Arlington – Arlington, TX
Rangers-Yankees Day / Date: Saturday – October 16th 2010
Rangers-Yankees First Pitch: 3:07 PM Central Time
Rangers-Yankees TV Time: 3:00 PM Central Time
Rangers-Yankees TV Channel: TBS
Rangers-Yankees: Rangers Tickets at StubHub.com!

Game 3 – Yankees: Andy Petite | Rangers: Cliff Lee
Rangers-Yankees Location: Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY
Rangers-Yankees Day / Date: Monday – October 18th 2010
Rangers-Yankees First Pitch: 7:07 PM Central Time
Rangers-Yankees TV Time: 7:00 PM Central Time
Rangers-Yankees TV Channel TBS
Rangers-Yankees Yankees Tickets at StubHub.com!

Game 4 – Yankees: A.J. Burnett | Rangers: Tommy Hunter
Yankees-Rangers Location: Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY
Yankees-Rangers Day / Date: Tuesday – October 19th 2010
Yankees-Rangers First Pitch: 7:07 PM Central Time
Yankees-Rangers TV Time: 7:00 PM Central Time
Yankees-Rangers TV Channel TBS
Yankees-Rangers Yankees Tickets at StubHub.com!

Game 5 Yankees: TBD | Rangers: TBD
Yankees-Rangers Location: Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY
Yankees-Rangers Day / Date: Wednesday – October 20th 2010
Yankees-Rangers First Pitch: 3:07 PM Central Time
Yankees-Rangers TV Time: 3:00 PM Central Time
Yankees-Rangers TV Channel TBS
Yankees-Rangers Yankees Tickets at StubHub.com!

Game 6 Yankees: TBD | Rangers: TBD
Rangers-Yankees Location: The Ballpark in Arlington – Arlington, TX
Rangers-Yankees Day / Date: Friday – October 22nd 2010
Rangers-Yankees First Pitch: 7:07PM Central Time
Rangers-Yankees TV Time: 7:00PM Central Time
Rangers-Yankees TV Channel: TBS
Rangers-Yankees Rangers Tickets at StubHub.com!

Game 7 Yankees: TBD | Rangers: TBD
Rangers-Yankees Location: The Ballpark in Arlington – Arlington, TX
Rangers-Yankees Day / Date: Saturday – October 23rd 2010
Rangers-Yankees First Pitch: 7:07PM Central Time
Rangers-Yankees TV Time: 7:00PM Central Time
Rangers-Yankees TV Channel: TBS
Rangers-Yankees Rangers Tickets at StubHub.com!

Resources: Texas Rangers.com
Photo Credit: Bleacher Report

Excerpt for TXCN.com
The office suites beyond center field at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington may have some of the best seats in the house. But come Saturday, when the Texas Rangers play their first postseason home game in 11 years, those seats won’t be free.

Major League Baseball has informed the dozen or so businesses renting office space there that they will be charged $25 for each guest they invite to their balconies to watch the Rangers play the Tampa Bay Rays.

“Basically they are going to charge me to come to my office,” said Chuck Elhoff, a personal financial planner who moved into his ballpark office in 1994. “Why is Major League Baseball doing this? It’s a money grab.”

Source:TXCN

However, now Texas Rangers fans that normally wouldn’t be able to sit in the outfield office suites have a chance to sit in these boxes. We found one Luxury Suite that does not mention whether they allow individuals to come in, but we have been told you can contact them from their website ballpark308.com contact form to ask to be put on their guest list for a game.

Rangers at Rays Game 5 Preview
Cliff Lee and David Price will take the mound in a game 5. If this sounds familiar, it should these two faced each other in game 1 of the Rangers-Rays playoff series. Cliff Lee looked dominant for the Rangers in game 1, and David Price didn’t impress. Don’t expect this to be a Rangers blowout again. The Rays seem to have it figured out on offense and the Rangers are looking sloppy in the field, which should make for a close game.

ALDS Game 5 Preview: Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays TV Game Information
Rangers-Rays Day/Date: Tuesday – October 12th 2010
Rangers-Rays TV Time: 7:00 PM Central Time
Rangers-Rays TV First Pitch: 7:07 PM Central Time
Rangers-Rays Location: Tropicana Field
Rangers-Rays TV Channel: TBS

12:11 CT – Great to see Josh Hamilton in that red Majestic pull over. Looks great.

12:12 CT – Remember when David Aldridge used to do basketball? Yeah, now he’s the dugout reporter for the Reds-Phillies series. How did that happen?

12:17 CT – The first Conan ad. Vegas has the over/under listed at 16.5 for the Rangers-Rays game. 49.5 for the day.

12:21 CT – Since I know you’re all wondering – I’m sporting the red Cliff Lee player tee today. And I’ll be listening to Eric Nadel. Not the TBS broadcasters. Game on mute, radio blaring. Isn’t that how our forefathers would have done it?

12:24 CT – Reason #134 I like the Rangers to win this series – David Price is on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week. That has to bode well, right?

12:26 CT – I liked Matt Winer a lot better on SportsCenter. I thought he was extremely underrated.

12:27 CT – THERE HE IS!!!! CLIFF LEE!!!! HE’S REALLY ON OUR TEAM!

12:31 CT – There was the intro. Oh well. I was listening to Michael Young. Come on Eric – I want to hear your intro.

12:33 CT – TBS goes to break showing a Rangers uniform that hasn’t been worn in two years. Nobody does it better than TBS!

12:34 CT – Ahhh, the pleasant sounds of Eric Nadel. Hello Eric!

12:35 CT – Lineups: TEX: Elvis, Mike, Josh, Vlad, Nellie, Ian, Frenchy, Cantu, Molina. TB: Bartlett, Upton, Crawford, Longoria, Pena, Baldelli, Zobrist, Shoppach, Rodriguez.

12:37 CT – Could I be more excited? I don’t think so. LET’S GO ELVIS. We are under way! 0-1 to Elvis.

12:40 CT – Elvis has a great playoff beard going right now. And a great at-bat to start off the game.

12:41 CT – Eight pitches to lead off the game, but Elvis bounces out to third. Like those long at-bats.

12:42 CT – Short at-bats for Mike and Josh, but a bloop single for Josh keeps the inning alive for Vladdy.

12:44 CT – Price really trying to establish that fastball so far. Up to 15 pitches in the first.

12:45 CT – CLAW! Vlad gets a single up the middle – 2 on, 2 out for Nellie.

12:47 CT – First breaking ball of the inning finally fouled off – 21st pitch of the inning.

12:48 CT – Nellie right on that fastball. Good at-bats to start off the game for the Rangers. Nellie bounces to first, but 24 pitches for Price in the first. Not bad.

12:49 CT – Conan count: 2.

12:54 CT – Bartlett leads off with a Texas Leaguer into right. Tough to double up Upton.

12:55 CT – Striking him out is a lot easier. How about we keep Crawford off base? Hmm? That would be nice.

12:57 CT – Nuts. Single for Crawford just out of the reach of Cliff. 2 on for Longoria with one out.

12:59 CT – Gulp. Loaded for Pena – this is not exactly how I wanted the first inning to go.

1:00 CT- WHOA! Looked like 3-1, but Pena called for the accidental foul. WOW – lucky break for the Rangers! 2-2 count. Didn’t look like it hit anything, but suddenly it’s 2-2. LET’S GET A K!

1:03 CT – No low strikes called yet for Cliff. The 2nd pitch should’ve been strike 2.

1:04 CT – THERE’S THE LOW STRIKE! Pena down looking.

1:06 CT – YES!!!! Lee strikes out the side. Whiffed Baldelli on three pitches. Hopefully I survive until the end of the game. This playoff baseball thing is probably not good for your health.

1:10 CT – Frenchy rocking the nice playoff beard…AND DELIVERS A FIRST-INNING RBI DOUBLE!!! CLAW! CLAW! CLAW!

1:13 CT – Okay, a first-pitch RBI double. Sorry. Got a little excited. Sure would be nice to see Bengie knock in Jeff here for a 2-0 lead.

1:16 CT – Molina delivers! RBI single makes it 2-0! Jon Daniels looks like a genius!

1:19 CT – Only 2 come across, but Price now up to 43 pitches after 19 in the 2nd. More importantly, THE RANGERS HAVE A 2-0 LEAD!

1:22 CT – Semi-depressing stat: The Rangers with two 2nd-inning runs have now scored more runs in the playoffs this year than they have in their last two trips.

1:25 CT – The low strike has not been called consistently for Cliff today. Got the big call on Pena, but the last couple haven’t been called for him.

1:28 CT – No low strikes at all! Fortunately, Cliff has gotten the last two, and Josh ALMOST doubled off Zobrist there. Get Bartlett…

1:32 CT – CLIFF LEE! Five K’s through ten hitters!

1:38 CT – Not a great AB there by Josh, and Vlad rips a ball right at Bartlett, but Cruz works it to 3-0 and BREAKS OUT THE BOOMSTICK! 3-0!

1:40 CT – Kinsler pops out, but another run for our guys. (TM – Hawk Harrelson)

1:46 CT – Well that was fun. A seven-pitch third for Cliff and another shut-down inning. Couple of loud outs, but at this point, all that matters is the outs themselves.

1:49 CT – Seriously, TBS? Why do I need a graphic for where the ball crosses the plate AND the pitch tracker?

1:55 CT – Sorry, blacked out there for a minute. Could have sworn I saw Bengie Molina just make it 4-0 with a homer.

1:59 CT – WHEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! Pena strikes out looking again, this time on a curve.

2:01 CT – Seven strikeouts for Cliff Lee through four innings with only 60 pitches. Only 17 the last two innings. Nine Rays sent down in a row.

2:04 CT – Sure would be nice to see another run or two this inning and get into that Tampa Bay bullpen soon.

2:08 CT – This game is so much fun. Hamilton reaches on error, steals second, Vlad doubles on a 3-0 pitch to make it 5-0. Again: WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

2:14 CT – Rangers can’t get the sixth run home. Still 5-0 halfway through with Lee cruising and Price approaching 90 pitches.

2:19 CT – Great start to the 5th for Cliff. First pitch pop-up and then a K of Rodriguez – number 8 on the day.

2:20 CT – Nolan and Chuck shot. Here’s a chance to thank Chuck for those great “Medical Excuses” that were sent this morning.

2:22 CT – A harmless fly ball ends the 5th for the Rays. Another Conan ad, although I’ve missed a few. Upping the count to 6 just because.

2:27 CT – Oh no! Molina finally made an out!

2:28 CT – What an awesome bunt by Elvis. Just perfect.

2:30 CT – Price now at 101 pitches as Elvis gets thrown out to end the top of the 6th. Cliff Lee? Only at 71.

2:38 CT – Disappointing play there by Elvis to let Upton on, but Crawford quickly bounces into a fielder’s choice. Sure would be nice to keep the five-run lead into the 7th.

2:41 CT – A HUGE out there against Longoria. Now get Pena and you’re still up 5 going to the 7th.

2:46 CT – SAH-WING BATTER! Cliff Lee strikes out Pena to end the 6th and sets the Ranger playoff record in the process. 10 K’s now for Lee on 91 pitches.

2:52 CT – Day over for David Price after 6.2 IP – 5 R, 107 pitches, 9 hits, 8 K’s. Chad Qualls now in for Tampa. Vlad salivating.

2:54 CT – At the stretch, the Rangers are leading 5-0. Lee at only 91 pitches. If I’m Ron, I leave Cliff in for 120 pitches or until he runs into trouble. Hopefully that gets you through the 8th, and Feliz comes in to shut the door in the 9th.

2:58 CT – Rays finally on the board with a Ben Zobrist solo shot. One out in the 7th.

3:00 CT – Two outs in the 7th now, both Darrens throwing in the pen. Rodriguez lines out to Francoeur, and that will probably end Cliff’s day. 5-1 Rangers heading to the 8th.

3:06 CT – My two cents for the 8th inning: Bring in O’Day for Bartlett and Upton, then Oliver after that.

3:10 CT – Offense has been quiet since the Vlad double back in the 5th. Sure would be nice to scratch out an extra run or two. Cliff looks to be done for the day.

3:14 CT – So nothing in the 8th for the Rangers. O’Day in to start the 8th against Jaso, a pinch-hitter. It REALLY would be nice to see Julio Borbon come in for Francoeur for defensive purposes right now.

3:17 CT – Nervous times right now. O’Day allows a leadoff single to Jaso. Somehow have to get Upton right here.

3:18 CT – Wow. O’Day just made Upton look silly. One out, Darren Oliver coming in to face Crawford, Longoria and Pena (most likely).

3:21 CT – Accompanying move for Jaso PH will be for Brignac to come in for Shoppach.

3:22 CT – Both Feliz and Ogando are up right now. Darren REALLY needs to get Crawford, please.

3:24 CT – Two flyballs to Hamilton and Oliver gets the Rangers through the 8th. Due up for Tampa in the 9th: Pena, Baldelli, Zobrist. Interesting to see how Wash will play this.

3:27 CT – Feliz back up now. Wouldn’t be all that bad to leave Oliver in to face Pena and Baldelli in my opinion. Although another run or two would probably make that more likely as Bengie Molina singles. Bengie now 3/4 today.

3:30 CT – Elvis DP, Feliz coming in for the bottom of the ninth. And another Conan promo. How many is that? 7? Way under what I thought it would be.

3:32 CT – PH for Baldelli: Dan Johnson. Pena trying to avoid the golden sombrero to lead off the inning. First fastball at 97 MPH for Feliz.

3:36 CT – Leadoff walk brings up Johnson. Neffy a little wild so far.

3:39 CT – Neftali walks the first two. Zobrist now up, a tough out so far today. Nobody out. Nerves rising.

3:41 CT – EXTREMELY hard hit ball caught by Francoeur for out #1. Now Brignac, who hasn’t seen live pitching today. Tough to come off the bench and see Neffy’s heat. Feliz jumps ahead 0-2.

3:42 CT – Channeling Harry Doyle (Bob Uecker in Major League): THREE STRAIGHT HEATERS, AND (BRIGNAC) IS BLOWN DOWN!

3:43 CT – Neffy really bringing it now.

3:44 CT – BALLGAME! Neftali strikes out Brignac and Joyce on six straight fastballs. Rangers lead, 1-0! The 2nd playoff win ever! See everybody tomorrow!

The Rangers will face the Rays in a best of 5 game series. At the beginning of the season it looked like the negativity surrounding the team might keep this team from having a 2010 playoff schedule. There was the Ownership situation, the Ron Washington’s debacle, and Josh Hamilton’s night on the town waiting to take the team down. However the Rangers were able to put all that behind them and overcome a host of injuries during the season and make it to the 2010 ALDS. Could this be the year that our beloved Rangers can wipe out some of these awful post season records the franchise currently owns:

Current Rangers Playoff Records

• Only team in the MLB that hasn’t won a playoff series.
• 1 of 3 current that have never appeared in a World Series.
• Oldest franchise in MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA that has never appeared in a league championship.

Currently the Rangers do have a few injuries heading into their 2010 playoff schedule. Josh Hamilton has been out with a small fracture to his ribs, will return tonight to test them out. David Murphy who has filled in admirably for Josh Hamilton, but suffered a mild groin strain, however if these two can get healthy enough the team has a chance to do some big things this post season.

Texas Rangers 2010 Playoff Schedule – Tickets – Location – TV Channel
ALDS GAME 1 | Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays
Day/Date: Wednesday – October 6th, 2010
Time: 12:37 PM Central Time
Location: Tropicana Field
TV Channel: TBS
Tickets: Rangers Playoff Tickets on StubHub.com!

ALDS GAME 2 | Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays
Day/Date: Thursday – October 7th, 2010
Time: 1:37 PM Central Time
Location: Tropicana Field
TV Channel: TBS
Tickets: Rangers Playoff Tickets on StubHub.com!

ALDS GAME 3 | Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers
Day/Date: Saturday – October 9th, 2010
Time: 4:37 PM Central Time
Location: Ballpark in Arlington
TV Channel: TBS
Tickets: Rangers Playoff Tickets on StubHub.com!

ALDS GAME 4 | Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers
Day/Date: Sunday – October 10th, 2010
Time: –
Location: Ballpark in Arlington
TV Channel: TBS
Tickets: Rangers Playoff Tickets on StubHub.com!

ALDS GAME 5 | Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays
Day/Date: Tuesday – October 12th, 2010
Time: –
Location: Tropicana Field
TV Channel: TBS
Tickets: Rangers Playoff Tickets on StubHub.com!

Sources: Wikipedia, MLB.com

Since leaving Arlington, the Rangers offense has produced only 14 runs over their past 7 games. In their previous 7 games in Arlington, all of which were wins, Texas scored a grand total of 51 runs, or 7.3 runs/game. Their offensive struggles can’t be pinned on 1 individual, as Ian Kinsler (4 for 26), Michael Young (4 for 29), Vladimir Guerrero (6 for 28) and Nelson Cruz (6 for 24) have all been dreadful. If not for the Rangers pitching staff, which has a respectable 2.80 ERA on the current trip, things could be much worse for the club. In a span of 5 days, the Rangers once untouchable 10 game lead has withered to 7 games with 10 remaining.

With Josh Hamilton targeting the final 3 games of the season for his return, the current Rangers lineup will have to improve upon their poor production. If the Rangers can salvage a 4 game split this weekend, the team can relax knowing they have clinched their first AL West crown since 1999. A sweep at the hand of the Athletics would surely make things interesting as Texas returns home for a 7 game home stand against the Mariners and Angels.

With Tommy Hunter (12-4) on the hill Friday, the Rangers can put themselves in position to seal the division this weekend with a win. Stay tuned.

Season after season without a whole lot of hope, until the last couple, which seemed to give a glimpse of what this franchise was capable of.

But today is why it’s worth it. Today is why it’s worth it to be involved with the Texas Rangers.

Obviously I’m not going to compare what I or any other fan has gone through to what Michael Young went through. The Face of the Franchise has played more than 1,500 games in the majors without a playoff appearance. But that will come to an end next Wednesday when the Rangers play in Game 1 of the American League Division Series, in search of their first playoff series victory ever.

What will happen in that playoff series is a subject for another day and another post. But for right now, I just want to revel in how great this season has been.

I’m not sure if it’s possible to express how much fun I had cheering and supporting this team this year. Yeah, there have been some rough patches. Earlier this month was pretty ugly. Heck, the first two series of this road trip were no fun to watch.

But I just hope Ranger fans everywhere realize how fun this team is to watch. This is a youthful, talented squad that should be able to compete for division titles and hopefully more for years to come.

They have one of, if not the best front offices in baseball, complete with an ownership group willing to spend money and a general manager and player development team that is all too eager to put those resources to good use.

They have a great core of players that should only get better next year. Hamilton, Kinsler and Cruz are the core of a high-quality offense. Vlad Guerrero and Michael Young each contributed to a great rebound year for the offense.  Elvis Andrus and Julio Borbon each had their struggles, but their speed and defense isn’t going anywhere.

Are there areas for improvement? Absolutely. First base and catcher are major problem spots that must be addressed for next year. Re-signing Cliff Lee seems to be Priorities #1-3 for Greenberg and Co. Sure would be nice if the top three of the playoff rotation this year could be back next year.

And as for that playoff rotation? If Tampa Bay is the first round opponent for our beloved Rangers, I believe that Cliff Lee and CJ Wilson should start Games 1 & 2. The Rays struggle somewhat against left-handed starters, compiling a line of .251/.341/.402 against southpaws this year. Throw Colby Lewis in Game 3 and then go from there (although rolling with Lee on three days’ rest would be the option I suggest).

Only one more thing to look forward to before the regular season ends for the Texas Rangers: the return of Josh Hamilton.

Until then, it’ll be a good old-fashioned party at the Ballpark. Enjoy it.

It’s Time.