04/25/24
September 24, 2011
Texas Rangers Win AL West: For the second straight year, the Texas Rangers have won the AL West. The Los Angeles Angels, who won the West five times in six years from 2004 to 2009, are left with a limited shot at the wild card. "We have to win all of our games," manager Mike Scioscia said. Angels castoff Mike Napoli has fueled the Rangers with a .476 on-base percentage since the All-Star break, the highest in the AL for a player with at least 200 plate appearances since Jim Thome in 2002.
Nice banner for the Rangers, but I fear they are exactly one Cliff Lee short of another World Series appearance. I hope they face the Sox in the ALDS.
posted by rcade at 02:00 PM on September 24, 2011
In other news, Milwaukee clinched its first division title in 29 years and Arizona does the unthinkable and goes last to first in the NL west.
Gallardo, Greinke and Marcum/Wolf are consistent if not be flashy and they're going to be a tough team to play in the postseason, if they can deal with the lack of experience well.
posted by dfleming at 02:03 PM on September 24, 2011
I hope they face the Sox in the ALDS.
I'm hoping the same thing for the Tigers.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 03:15 PM on September 24, 2011
I hope they face the Sox in the ALDS.
Really, you all think the White Sox have a chance?? I'm kind of hoping for the Rays.
posted by dviking at 06:11 PM on September 24, 2011
Diamondbacks pool party celebration!
posted by grum@work at 07:23 PM on September 24, 2011
I hope they face the Sox in the ALDS.
I don't doubt it. Sucks to be doormats. Some day though, New England sports teams will rise up and win.
posted by yerfatma at 11:08 PM on September 24, 2011
It's going to be interesting to see who gets the right to lose to the phillies.
posted by justgary at 08:16 AM on September 25, 2011
About friggin' time! The Rangers only play in one of the weakest divisions in all of baseball. For a while there it looked like the Rangers were waiting for the Seattle Mariners to catch up. Can't wait to see the Yankees avenge last year's ALCS. Or as I like to call it - "Any team that gets Cliff Lee at the trade deadline can get lucky ONCE!"
posted by dchrist669 at 10:24 AM on September 25, 2011
Waiting for the Mariners to catch up? The Rangers went 15-5 in September.
As for last season, they dominated the Yankees in the ALCS. I'd hardly call that an example of luck -- though I think they'll need a lot this postseason if they face them again.
posted by rcade at 11:17 AM on September 25, 2011
The Yankees have a fantastic lineup, but their pitching leaves a lot to be desired. Someone will have to step up behind Sabathia.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 11:49 AM on September 25, 2011
Any team with good pitching has a great chance against the Yankees.
posted by justgary at 02:08 PM on September 25, 2011
Angels castoff Mike Napoli
I wouldn't call him a castoff; he was traded (short-sightedly) for a guy who was an all-star center fielder last year.