There's Always Next Year, Tigers Fans

The Detroit Tigers' season is over after an embarrassing Game 6 effort in Arlington in which they lost 15-5 to the American League Champion Texas Rangers.

Thanks in large part to a nine-run third inning by Max Scherzer, Daniel Schlereth, and Rick Porcello, the Motor City Kitties hung their heads and watched the red and blue confetti fly throughout Rangers Ballpark Saturday night. But enough about the game, let's see the Tigers off with a bang, in sad photo montage, of course.

Texas Rangers Win American League Pennant, Nelson Cruz Earns Series MVP

The world of baseball has never seen anything like what Nelson Cruz displayed over the entire American League Championship Series. In fact, over the 142-year history of Major League Baseball, no one had ever topped his performance.

After a terrible ALDS in which he went 1-for-12 with five strikeouts, Cruz absolutely lit up both ballparks, hitting .364 with a big league-record six home runs and 13 RBI in the ALCS. The guy was completely out of control.

Meanwhile, we can't decide whether the Rangers embarrassed the Detroit Tigers or the Tigers embarrassed themselves. Between an incredible display of incompetence on the field and a lack of timing and finesse at the plate, they were crushed 15-5 and sent packing for the offseason Saturday night.

Tigers Force Game 6 with Win over Rangers, Series Headed back to Arlington

What an awesome series so far.

Justin Verlander did his best over seven-plus innings Thursday night to keep the Detroit Tigers in the game. Meanwhile, the offense was behind him all the way and extended the series with a 7-5 win over the Texas Rangers to cut the Texas lead to 3-2 in the best-of-seven series and shift the contest back to Arlington.

The Tigers managed to use a little teamwork to hit for the cycle during the sixth inning. In order. Ryan Raburn got on base with the single, Miguel Cabrera took care of the double, Victor Martinez nailed the triple, and Delmon Young crushed a two-run shot (his second of the game) to cap the deal and give Detroit a 6-2 lead. History was made during this series once again, as it became the first natural cycle ever to happen in the postseason.

Speaking of records, Nelson Cruz and his Boomstick hit a ridiculous fifth home run of the series, becoming the fifth player in history to do so, in the top of the eighth to bring the Rangers within three. They added another run on a Michael Young base hit in the ninth to make it 7-5, but the Tigers held on for the victory, even without Jose Valverde to shut it down.

Phil Coke got the final five outs for his first career postseason save. Way to go, buddy.

The Rangers will get another shot at punching their ticket to the World Series for the second straight season in Game 6 Saturday night in Texas. Derek Holland and Max Scherzer, both of whom have failed to get a decision this postseason, will face each other at 8:05pm ET on FOX.

[Detroit Free Press]

Nelson Cruz Busts out Trusty Boomstick, Mike Napoli Aids in Rangers Game 4 Win

The Texas Rangers are one win away from their second consecutive World Series appearance.

Nelson Cruz, whose grand slam in the 11th inning won Game 2 for his Texas Rangers, was the star of Game 4 once again Wednesday night in his team's 7-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers to give them a 3-1 advantage in the best-of-seven series.

With the ballgame all tied up in the eighth inning, Cruz threw Miguel Cabrera out at the plate with a pretty throw to his partner in crime Mike Napoli, who was luckily not absolutely clobbered by the husky Cabrera. As if that wasn't badass enough, the outfielder followed up the leather-flashing, arm cannon action with a three-run shot (his fourth homer of the ALCS) in the 11th off Jose Valverde, who just so happened to be right in the middle of imploding, immediately after Napoli blooped a go-ahead single.

Doug Fister Hurls Tigers Past Rangers in ALCS Game 3

After dropping the first two games of the American League Championship Series in Arlington, the banged-up Detroit Tigers absolutely had to win Game 3, and Doug Fister gave them a chance to do that. It wasn't exactly a must-win situation, but only the Boston Red Sox have come back from a 3-0 deficit to force a Game 7. They managed to win the 2004 World Series that year, but it's not the recommended way of doing things.

The right-hander with a bad case of hat-head was about as cool as the other side of the pillow in the huge Game 3, pitching 7.1 solid innings Tuesday night where he allowed just two runs on seven hits to aid in his team's 5-2 victory over the Texas Rangers. Fister loves pitching at Comerica Park. He's an incredible 5-0 with an 1.23 ERA at home... pretty much unhittable.

Meanwhile, Rangers starter Colby Lewis suffered his very first postseason loss after entering the game with a career 4-0 record and 1.67 ERA in the playoffs. It was a good run.

Josh Hamilton drove in a first inning run to give Texas an early lead, but the Tigers tied it up on a Victor Martinez lead-off solo shot in the bottom of the fourth. The following inning, Miguel Cabrera said "Hold your horses, Rangers," when he hit an RBI double to the right field corner to give Detroit a 2-1 edge.

Jhonny Peralta nailed one into the Tigers bullpen in the sixth before Austin Jackson, who had three hits in the game after going 3-for-25 with 14 strikeouts over the first seven postseason contests, blooped a run-scoring single to center. Cabrera, who struggled through the first few innings, crushed a longball to left in the seventh to make it 5-1.

Nelson Cruz Does it Again, First Ever Walkoff Grand Slam in Postseason History

Are you joking me Nelson Cruz?

Just two innings after it appeared his wrist was shattered into a million pieces by a 92-mph Jose Valverde fastball in the ninth, the Texas Rangers outfielder took advantage of a second consecutive Ryan Perry slider to give his team a 2-0 advantage in the best-of-seven ALCS with a 7-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers in 11 innings.

What's more amazing than that? Not only did he go yard to tie it up at 3 runs-a piece in the seventh inning and kick opposing starter Max Scherzer off the hill, but his extra-inning, walkoff grand slam marked the first in the history of ever.

To clarify, it's only technically the first walkoff grand slam in MLB playoff history. Back in 1993, Robin Ventura hit one during the 1999 NLCS for the Mets, but he was so busy celebrating the victory, he failed to touch home plate and was credited with a Grand Slam Single. In his defense, however, his stupid teammates carried him off the field before he had a chance to score. (Details, Schmetails.) God, we went from talking about Ventura pretty much never to mentioning him like three times in a week. I'm sure we'll have a lot more to make fun of him for to talk about regarding his White Sox managing adventure in 2012.

Magglio Ordonez Out of Commission, Delmon Young Returns

Unfortunately for Magglio Ordonez, he will miss all the fun and excitement that comes with the rest of whatever playoffs lay ahead for his Detroit Tigers, whose outfielders are dropping like flies.

Ordonez fractured his right ankle some time during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday, exiting in the top of the fifth inning when he drew a walk between rain delays before being replaced by a pinch-runner.

Nelson Cruz Busts Out His Boomstick, Rangers Beat Tigers in Game 1

After not one, but two rain delays added nearly two hours to the game Saturday night, the Texas Rangers came away with a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series.

David Murphy hit an RBI triple in the second inning and scored on an Ian Kinsler base hit to give the Rangers an early 2-0 lead before Nelson Cruz busted out his boomstick. The outfielder led off the fourth with a solo shot, taking Justin Verlander deep on an 0-2 fastball which turned out to be the deciding factor in his team's win. Good for Cruz too, cause he was in quite a slump so far throughout the postseason, sporting an .067 batting average entering the series.

Rangers starter C.J. Wilson had a rather rough outing, lasting just 4.2 innings. The lefty walked five and coughed up two runs, including one a wild pitch that scored a run between rain delays. However, the relief corps cleaned up the mess and stomped the Tigers' rally. Five Texas relievers combined for eight strikeouts, with only Neftali Feliz allowing a hit while getting clocked at 101 mph for his fourth postseason save.

I suppose Detroit's loss could be partly attributed to the absence of Delmon Young -- we swear that's an impostor -- who batted .316 with three homers against the New York Yankees in the ALDS before suffering an oblique injury during Game 5. The left fielder now has to watch the best-of-seven series from the bench.

Game 2 is set for Monday night at 4:19pm ET on FOX with Derek Holland starting for the Rangers against Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer. The contest was postponed a day since  there was a 60 percent chance of rain over the Arlington area just before Sunday's game time.

[SB Nation]

There's Always Next Year, Yankees Fans

Moving right along with this season's second edition of There's Always Next Year...

The Detroit Tigers are headed to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2006 after scraping past the New York Yankees 3-2 Thursday night with an exciting Game 5 victory in the Bronx.

The Texas Rangers, who advanced to the ALCS on Tuesday after taking three of four Division Series games over the Tampa Bay Rays, were ready and waiting and probably didn't give a crap who they faced in the end, as long as they get another shot at the World Series.

But enough about the winners. Let's have an emotional look at the losers. In sad photo montage, of course.

Terry Francona is too Cool to Manage, Opts for Commentating

Terry Francona, after being ousted as the Boston Red Sox manager last weekend, has been offered a job as an analyst with FOX during the first two games of the American League Championship Series this postseason. Obvioiusly, he accepted since he doesn't really have much else going on.

The two-time World Series Champion skipper and curse-breaker, who was with the Red Sox for eight glorious seasons, maintains that he wasn't exactly fired, but he did mention that owner Jim Henry didn't really ask him if he wanted to stick around last Friday, either.

And maybe this whole Boston Bust wasn't his fault anyway. Apparently players were pounding beers during games and packing on the pounds this season. Kinda hard to hit or throw a baseball when you're buzzed. Take it from me.

Moving right along. Since Tim McCarver will be out of commission due to some mystery medical operation (hopefully getting his voice box removed) Francona will take his place alongside Joe Buck. Tito seems a little nervous about his new endeavor:

"I’ve only broadcast one other game in my life, and that was in the Arizona Fall League about 13 years ago and it was on radio and there were probably 12 people [listening] and I sucked. So this is going to be interesting.’"

This will likely be a complete disaster, but we're going to watch it unfold with the volume up anyway.

Game 1 of the ALCS is scheduled for Saturday with the Texas Rangers either hosting the Detroit Tigers or facing the Yankees in the Bronx. We can't wait.

[Boston.com]

Adrian Beltre Homers Three Times, Texas Rangers Headed to the ALCS

Thanks to three Adrian Beltre longballs during Game 4 of the ALDS, the Texas Rangers have sent the Tampa Bay Rays packing and are headed straight to the American League Championship Series for the second season in a row.

The slugging first baseman went yard in his first three at bats during the 4-3 victory Tuesday in St. Petersburg. He hit solo shots off starter Jeremy Hellickson in the second and fourth innings before adding another solo homer for good measure in the seventh off reliever Matt Moore. Unfortunately, he missed the opportunity to hit a fourth home run in the eighth when he flied out to shallow right field.

After getting just one hit in 11 playoff at bats so far this postseason, Beltre really turned things around to become the sixth player in the history of the game to hit three home runs in a single postseason performance, and the first to do it during a divisional series. So that's pretty sweet.

The Rangers will now watch and wait to see who will face them in the ALCS between the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers, who play Tuesday evening at 8:30pm ET on TBS. The Tigers have the chance to send the Yankees home tonight, as they lead the best-of-five series 2-1.

[ESPN Dallas/Fort Worth]

There's Always Next Year, Yankees Fans

It's been two whole years since we've seen the ever-loving New York Yankees in a There's Always Next Year post.

Maybe the Spring Training cap general manager Brian Cashman was sporting during postgame interviews in the visitor's clubhouse will make Yankees fans feel better about going home after their Game 6 loss to the AL Champion Texas Rangers.

Probably not.

Yeehaw! The Rangers Are World Series-Bound

Good morning good folks of Arlington and surrounding area who are not Astros fans! We're sure you slept well and dreamed of World Series parades after your long evening of celebration.

Not only are the reigning champion New York Yankees headed home, but your Texas Rangers are going to the Big Show after a 6-1, Game 6 clincher Friday night.

Yeah, they've never been there. It's their first time. They're new at this.

They are Fall Classic virgins.

Yankees Force Game 6 in Arlington

The Texas Rangers are still just one win away from reaching their very first World Series, but the New York Yankees aren't going away that easily.

After being outscored 25-5 by the Rangers and losing three straight games, the Yankees battled back in Game 5 for a 7-2 victory to force a Game 6 in Arlington Friday night.

And I'll tell you what: if Yankees fans aren't leaving the ballpark early, they're showing up three innings late. What gives? Those people missed 90 percent of the excitement when their Bronx Bombers put up three runs in the second before Nick Swisher and Robinson Cano jacked back-to-back homers in the third to build an early 5-0 lead.

Meanwhile, CC Sabathia was getting hit all over the place, but managed to keep the damage to just two runs via Matt Treanor while allowing eleven hits and striking out seven over six innings.

Rangers One Win Away From World Series

Holy crap, we didn't see this one coming. In the franchise's 50th season, the Texas Rangers are just one win away from playing in their very first World Series.

A.J. Burnett did alright in his New York Yankees' Game 4 loss that has the Rangers leading the series 3-1. In fact, he says:

Believe it or not, it’s probably the best I’ve pitched in a long time. It’s one mistake. It was down and away. It just didn’t go where I wanted it to go. I knew he hit it out.

We Have a Huge Crush on Cliff Lee

It's okay, we know you do too.

Our undying love for Cliff Lee was cemented last night with his brilliant eight-inning, two-hit, thirteen strikeout performance during the Texas Rangers' 8-0 win over the New York Yankees All-Star lineup in Game 3 of the ALCS.

Josh Hamilton, who had a pretty good view of the clinic from centerfield, smoked a two-run shot in the first, which was all the run support the Rangers needed. However, they kicked down the door in the top of the ninth with six more runs off a befuddled Yankees bullpen.

Tonight's Badass ALCS Pitching Matchup

Lovers of pitching are in for yet another treat this evening with a ridiculous matchup of lefties: Texas Rangers ace Cliff Lee will get the ball against postseason workhorse Andy Pettitte for Game 3 at Yankee Stadium. Bad. Ass.

With the best-of-seven ALCS evened up at a game a-piece, the two hurlers will likely be the stars of another sure-to-be pitchers duel. What happens when two seemingly-unbeatable guys meet on the mound? Well, someone has to win and someone has to lose. That's just how baseball works.

C.J. Wilson Enters the Twilight Zone

"They used to have this show called the Twilight Zone. That’s how I felt."
-- C.J. Wilson

CC Sabathia pretty much handed the Texas Rangers the ballgame Friday night. Unfortunately for everyone in Arlington, they didn't take it.

Josh Hamilton crushed a three-run shot in the bottom of the first before Michael Young added two more with a double to right-center field three innings later. However, a five-run shutout can never be considered a safe lead when you're playing a team who enjoyed big league-best 48 come-from-behind victories during the regular season.

Texas Rangers: First Time for Everything

Cliff Lee was clobbered by his Texas Rangers teammates Tuesday night after they beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-1 to advance to the ALCS for the first time in their 50-year history between Washington and Texas.

That's a long time without winning a playoff series.

To celebrate their first postseason victory in franchise history, they gathered around the visitor's clubhouse donning red ALDS Champion t-shirts and goggles, toasting ginger ale in support of their recovering alcoholic/drug addict batting champ, Josh Hamilton.

There's Always Next Year, Rays Fans

Last week it looked as though the Tampa Bay Rays might be headed to another ALCS before they went and dropped the first two games against the Rangers in St. Petersburg. Then they came back to win the next two in Arlington before losing the finale to a dominant Cliff Lee Tuesday night at home while the Rangers won their first postseason series ever. Pretty impressive.

The Rays had the American League's best regular season record this year, so their 2010 wasn't a complete failure. Hang in there Rays fans, don't be sad... there's always next year!