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D-Ho Rangers took game two, 7-3, last night. It's a six-game lead. Rangers need one more for the series win.
It's proof that the Rangers are the better team. Not because of the standings, per se.
The Angels had their Nos. 4 and 5 starters for the first two games. It was Garrett Richards and Tyler Chatwood.
The Rangers also started their Nos. 4 and 5 starters, Alexi Ogando and Derek Holland.
Angels Starters
2.2 IP - 10 hits - 6 runs - 2 BBs - 1 Ks
Rangers Starters
15 IP - 17 hits - 7 runs - 3 BBs - 9 Ks
The proof is in the pudding, as they say. From top to bottom, the Rangers are better. Yes, the Angels probably have the better starters. I would give the edge to Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana and Dan Haren over C.J. Wilson, Matt Harrison and Colby Lewis.
But the Rangers' entire team is so superior to the Angels' that it's not really close. The only thing in the Rangers' way is the Rangers themselves. If they crap the bed, that's the only way they can be stopped in winning this division.
Holland as your No. 5 starter should excite you. I don't know why we expect the back end of your rotation to have a sub-3.00 ERA. You'd like him to be consistent. However, I'll take the Holland of this season over most other players. He is so incredibly close to being a guy that becomes a front-end guy.
As for the offense, several times this season, I noted that I didn't think they could outdo themselves. I think they're outdoing themselves.
The offense is a thing of beauty and I credit Jon Daniels and Ron Washington for putting it together and making the pieces fit.
The last several years, we saw the offense bog and never get out of the ditch. You waited for the home run during the bad times and relished the moments of flurry, which won them three division titles in the 1990s.
This machine works. This machine kills Angels. You have nine guys that can kill you.
If they hit, if they play defense (some spectacular plays last night) and pitch, they are unbeatable. Simple.
Notes:
1. Mitch Moreland has six hits in the series.
2. Mike Napoli has as many extra-base hits as Jeff Mathis -- his replacement -- has hits (36).
3. Vernon Wells is hitting .203.
4. Angels bullpen: 15.1 innings pitched.
5. Will MVP voters look at Mike Young, or are they too fascinated with the Yankees and Adrian Gonzalez? Top five in American League in hits, average, doubles and RBI (all without the huge power numbers).
6. A sweet opposite field homer from Josh Hamilton.
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