Put your Hand in the Hand of the Man who Runs the 'Niners

The World Series

So much for pitching and defense winning championships....that was one U-G-L-Y weekend of baseball...two football games broke out with 15-5 and 12-6 finals but if you like the long ball it was a weekend of beauty. So here we are, the mighty bats of Albert Pujols poised to match up against 2011's version of Mr. October, Nelson Cruz of the Rangers. Pitchers need not apply as this one looks to be a battle of offense in this year's Fall Classic. The runners-up just looked plain ugly in losing as well, Shawn Marcum imploding from the word, "go" to provide the set-up for a disastrous night for the Brew Crew. Tantalizing and teasing as they were, playing home run derby themselves and getting the score within a couple of runs, they just could not stop a Cardinal flood that would not be denied. Same for the Tigers, who seemingly threw an endless cadre of arms into the fray Saturday night only to realize that the Rangers are imbued with a sense of resolve and unfinished business. So the stage is set for what could be a late October of offensive fireworks unlike any we have seen in some time. Then again, the baseball Gods, fickle creatures that they are may decide to silence the lumber and provide us with a final of one run, low run pitching and defensive mastery. Either way, I like the Rangers in 6 games.

Texas- American League Champions

compliments of ESPN.com

Texas Two-Step

Lets hand it to the Rangers- I, like many felt last year's AL Champs trip to the fall classic was a fluke, I mean after all didn't the red white and blue of Arlington understand that they were interlopers, party crashers who were breathing the rarefied air reserved for the Yankees, Sox of Boston and perhaps the Angels? Well, once may be a fluke but twice makes it real and here's to Ron Washington and crew who approached this year's playoffs with the determination and resolve of a group who know there was unfinished business. Tampa Bay's glorious finish wilted in the face of Ranger post season talent and the Tigers, while putting on a good show and taking 2 games at the end of the day just didn't have enough, last night's 15-5 pasting not putting too much of a fine point on the recognition that the AL champs are in fact, the team to beat. With an offense that verges on historic, a stout bullpen and post season grit, Texas only needs to solve the riddle of a starting rotation that struggles to make them a clear favourite to win it all starting Wednesday night. Whether its The Brewers and Prince Braun or Bat Albert and the Cardinal Kids, the NL needs to be prepared- this Texas Two-Step ends with a World Series Championship.

I'm Batman

Cards a win away