Rangers Return to Fall Classic

As much as I hate to pat myself on the back, I will acknowledge that I correctly predicted on this blog the Rangers would defeat the Tigers last night and advance to the World Series.

Now Detroit made me sweat a little bit because they got off to a great start in Game Six.  They held a 2-0 lead through the first two and a half innings thanks to solo home runs from Miguel Cabrera and Jhonny Peralta.  But Motown started Max Scherzer was clearly laboring, had stranded four runners through the first two innings and managed to emerge unscathed by the skin of his teeth.  It was only a matter of time before Texas got on the scoreboard, because when you give that lineup opportunities eventually it will make you pay.

Nelson Cruz and Co. give Texas another shot at a World Series title

Scherzer paid, and then some, in a third inning meltdown that began with a free pass to Elvis Andrus and ended three pitching changes and nine runs later.  Texas did most of its damage through singles and walks, needing only two extra-base hits (both Michael Young doubles) to put up its nine-spot. 

And just like that, the series was over.  Detroit trimmed the deficit to 9-4 and chased Derek Holland from the game with an Austin Jackson two-run shot in the fifth inning, but Texas slammed the door by plating six more runs over their next three ups to make the game a laugher.  The Rangers' potent offense pulverized six Tiger pitchers (none of whom were Justin Verlander with the season going up in smoke) for 15 runs, 17 hits including four doubles and two big flies, one of which was series MVP Nelson Cruz's sixth of the LCS, and eight walks. 

Texas becomes the first American League team in a decade to appear in consecutive World Series.