Wednesday

Series of Firsts and Waits


Game 1 of the World Series starts tonight. The Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants will face off for the title. Yes that's right, no Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Phillies, Cardinals, or Braves, it's the Rangers vs. the Giants. Immediately you think this, well the majority will: 'Wow, what a terrible World Series.' In reality, it's not. This match up brings originality to the Series. The Rangers have never been to, much less, won a World series in their 49 years of existence. The Giants have not won a World Series since they were the New York (baseball) Giants, and the New York version won their last title in 1954. So technically the San Fran Giants have never won the Series, meaning that both teams will be vying for their first title. The match up is relatively even as well. 

The Texas Rangers were very impressive baseball team this year, and then they went out and got arguably the best active pitcher in the game, Cliff Lee. The rest of the starters, who were doing fine before Lee came along, upped their game a lot too. The offense rivals that of the New York Yankees, just without household names. Their closer, Neftali Feliz, had 40 saves in his rookie year, and the bullpen in front of him has been great as well. In the playoffs the bullpen became their weak spot though. After a rough start, the bullpen seemingly has gone back to the way it was during the regular season. The Rangers have an all around tough team for anyone to beat, including the San Fran Giants.

Speaking of the San Fran Giants, they also have an impressive starting pitching rotation lead by one of the best young pitchers in the game, Tim Lincecum. Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez behind him aren't too shabby either. Their bullpen is utterly amazing led by closer Brian Wilson and his ferocious beard. The weak spot on this Giants team is definitely their offense. Cody Ross exploded onto the scene against the Phillies, but there is no guarantee his offense will remain consistent. The only consistent offense play they have this postseason is their rookie catcher, Buster Posey. This team as a whole has a lot of heart and determination and will win games they aren't supposed to, like 4 out of 5 against the Phillies in the NLCS. Their offense does not need to be great anyways when their starting pitching is dominating, which has happened throughout the playoffs this October. Taking down the G-Men of baseball is not exactly an easy task, just ask the Braves and Phillies.

To sum it up, the Rangers are the winners on paper because you can't see the heart of the Giants in any stat sheet. But if you look closer the two teams are a lot more even that you think. This World Series will be exciting for every fan that decides to watch. I explore everyone to not knock this series just because the teams aren't ordinary title teams. In 2008, the Rays and Phillies were not ordinary title teams either. What happened? The Phillies won and became a title and proceeded to get to the World Series the following season. They lost to the Yankees, but they became instead favorite to reach the World Series again, especially after trading for Roy Halladay. I could see that happening if the Rangers win this World Series. Unfortunately nothing will happen as a result of the Giants reaching or even winning the World Series. The Rays missed the playoffs the season after they reached the World Series. 2002 was the last time the Giants reached the World Series and they won their division the next season, but their division has become much tougher the past 7 years and the barely won their division. But in the end you should watch this Series because it's a series of firsts and waits.

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