Series preview: Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Let's have a look at one of the American League Division Series matchups, this one between Texas and Toronto. Toronto Blue Jays
Season record: 93-69 Home record: 53-28 Away record: 40-41 Key players: David Price (SP), Josh Donaldson (3B), Jose Bautista (RF) Key injuries: None
Projected starters: Unannounced [likely Price, Marcus Stroman, Marco Estrada, R.A. Dickey, Price]
Here's what you need to know: The Blue Jays have the best offensive lineup in the Major Leagues. Picking up Donaldson mid-season turned them into a fringe playoff team into World Series contenders. Ace David Price, another midseason acquisition, anchors a solid pitching staff. This team is beastly and will strike fear into the whole league. Texas Rangers
Season record: 88-74 Home record: 43-38 Away record: 45-36 Key players: Prince Fielder (1B), Adrian Beltre (3B), Cole Hamels (SP) Key injuries: None
Projected starters: Unannounced [likely Hamels, Yovani Gallardo, Colby Lewis, Derek Holland, Price]
Here's what you need to know: Texas snuck into the playoffs out of the AL West, storming back and beating out the Astros and the Angels for the top spot in the division. It's a team with quite a bit of power coming from the bats of Fielder, Beltre, and Mike Napoli, but the pitching isn't going to blow anyone away. They're a playoff team, but not much more. My prediction
This series should be a walk in the park for the Blue Jays, who are the pick for most to reach the World Series out of the American League. I don't see Texas getting in their way. I'm picking Toronto in 3, a clean sweep of the Rangers, who will be exhausted having fought so hard just to get into the playoffs in the first place. Texas ace Hamels cannot out-duel Price and Toronto will dominate in the other games.
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