The Rangers are just one win away from winning this playoff series and moving on to the next round. But they failed to get the job done on Monday against the Toronto Blue Jays. They’ve now lost two games in a row and are now in a win or go home situation. The Rangers head into Game 5 with very little momentum.
Derek Holland took the mound for the Rangers. Holland was pulled from the game after just two innings, in which he allowed five hits, surrendered six runs, and failed to strike out a single batter. Colby Lewis then took over, and in three innings, he allowed three hits, surrendered one run, and struck out only one batter. The Rangers bullpen then took over for the rest of the game and allowed four hits, surrendered one run, and struck out four batters. In the last two games, the Rangers could not stop the powerful Blue Jay offense. The Rangers offense had an average night, and finished with a total of eleven hits, and were struck out a combined seven times. Adrian Beltre returned to the lineup and finished the game with two hits. Shin-Soo Choo led the offense with a total of three hits. The Rangers lost this game 8-4.
This has been a “sports miracle” type of season for the Texas Rangers where it looked like all was lost before the season started with the injury to ace Yu Darvish. Then after a horrific month of April; the team looked to be heading towards a repeat of their 2014 campaign which was plagued by injuries. After a poor start to the month of July, the Rangers once again were left for dead. This team has always found a way back and surprised critics and fans by winning the AL West division.
Rangers skipper Jeff Banister has had much success with the moves he has made in his first season, which makes us question some of his Game 4 decisions. Why did he start Derek Holland over 17 game winner Colby Lewis? Why did he start 1B Mitch Moreland over Mike Napoli who has had success facing Blue Jays starting pitcher R.A. Dickey over the years? These moves backfired on Banister and now the Rangers have to find a way to claw out a win behind Cole Hamels in the final and deciding game of the series. It is imperative the Prince Fielder and this offense finds a way to plate enough runs to secure a win.
The final game of this series will take place across the border in Toronto, Canada. It’s down to just one game. Cole Hamels will take the mound for the Rangers. It is up to him whether the Rangers will advance or their season will end with a collapse.
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