MLB American League Championship Series Update
The 2010 MLB American League Championship Series between the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees got underway this past weekend with the first two games of this best-of-seven clash being played on Friday and Saturday.
Texas earned a trip to the ALCS by winning the AL West Division in the regular season and then knocking out the AL East Champion Tampa Bay Rays in a thrilling five games in the ALDS. New York made it into the postseason as the AL Wildcard team and quickly established itself as the odd-on-favorite to win back-to-back AL Pennants by beating the AL Central Champion Minnesota Twins in a three game sweep.
Game 1 this past Friday night appeared to be a one way affair as Texas jumped all over New York ace C.C. Sabathia in the first inning with three quick runs. The Rangers added two more in the fourth to take a 5-0 lead, but you somehow got the feeling that no lead would be safe against a team that led the Majors with 48 come-from-behind wins in the regular season. Sabathia only lasted six innings, giving up five hits and five earned runs.
Rangers ace C.J. Wilson gave up a solo shot to Robinson Cano in the seventh and an RBI on a Derek Jeter double in the eighth before giving way to the bullpen. He ended the night giving up six hits and three earned runs, but did not get tagged with the loss. The Ranger’s relievers could not stop the rally and before it was all said and done gave up four more runs in the inning to fall behind 6-5, which ended up being the final score. This was New York’s 10th straight win over Texas in postseason play.
Game 2 started much like the first one with the Rangers tagging Yankee starter Phil Hughes with five runs in the first three innings. Hughes only lasted four innings, giving up 10 hits and seven earned runs. Texas added two more runs in the fifth to open up a six run lead, and other than another Cano HR in the sixth, held the Yankees scoreless the rest of the way in the 7-2 victory.
Rangers’ starter Colby Lewis went 5.2 innings giving up six hits and two earned runs. The bullpen redeemed itself from Friday’s collapse by holding New York to just one hit the rest of the way.
The series, which is now essentially a best-of-five, shifts to New York for the next three games. Game 3 is scheduled for tonight at 8 p.m. at Yankees Stadium. Texas will send left-hander Cliff Lee to the mound, who is currently 6-0 in postseason play and coming off two strong outings in the ALDS against Tampa Bay. New York will go with Andy Pettitte, who holds the MLB record for most playoff victories at 19, including a 4-0 record in last season’s championship run.
Bet on the Yankees vs Rangers ALCS games using your checking account and to get a generous 50% sign up bonus at Beted Sportsbook.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.