The mysteries of the National League should not cast a spell over the Texas Rangers, who have played an NL-style game all year.
Cliff Lee was the focus of attention for the Rangers as the World Series got underway Wednesday night in San Francisco.SAN FRANCISCO -- The Texas Rangers looked comfortable opening the World Series against the Giants on Wednesday night under National League rules at AT&T Park.
Not only did they go 14-4 in interleague play during the regular season, but they've played an NL style all year under manager Ron Washington. They're opportunistic on offense, using their speed to force the action whenever possible.
They stole 123 bases, fifth most in the American League during the regular season. In the postseason, they stole 15 bases in 17 attempts on the way to winning the first AL pennant in Texas history.
During the regular season, they went from first to third on hits 122 times to lead the AL.
"I like the NL style of play because everyone stays engaged," said Washington. "All the players have to stay engaged because they never know they might find themselves in the ballgame."
Elvis Andrus leads the Rangers with seven steals in the postseason. During the regular season, five players had 14 of more steals each. Andrus led the way with 32.
"I come from a background of aggressiveness. ... I don't want to be a one-dimensional team," said Washington. "I just didn't want to play the game one way. I have the talent that can play the game many ways. When you have talent like that, you've got to use it.
"If you have talent that can only hit the ball out of the park, then you have to wait for the three-run bomb. We don't have to do that. People tell me it's National League, but I say it's baseball."
Still, the Giants have some history against the Rangers. They went into Game 1 with 15-7 interleague record against Texas. The record includes wins in the last seven games and 11 of the last 12.
Pitcher's corner: If the Giants feel they faced more acclaimed pitching staffs in winning the National League pennant, San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy is keeping it to himself.
Texas is in the process of transforming its image from all hit and no pitch to a much more balanced team. Still, when you think of pitching, Philadelphia and Atlanta probably come to mind before the Rangers.
The Giants beat the Phillies, 4-2, in the NLCS. In doing so, they took the best Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels had to offer. In beating Atlanta, 3-1, in the NLDS, the Giants worked their way past Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson.
The Rangers bring Cliff Lee to the table, which is enough to give any opposing manager pause, but then come C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis and Tommy Hunter. Not exactly the names people bring up when the discussion turns to the Cy Young Award.
"I'd say the Rangers' pitching staff is similar to the ones we've been facing," said Bochy before Game 1. "When you get to this point, you're going to see good pitching staffs.
"When they acquired Cliff Lee, it made them that much better because it gave them a No. 1 guy. After him, Wilson has been throwing well. All their starters have been throwing well.
"They have a good bullpen with a good young closer [Neftali Feliz]. I'd say they're similar to the Phillies and Atlanta. They have starting depth and bullpen depth."
Changes: In naming their 25-man roster for the World Series, Texas added right-hander Mark Lowe and dropped lefty Clay Rapada.
Lowe was acquired from Seattle in the Lee deal. He was on the disabled list at the time of the trade.
"This team is predominantly right-handed," said Washington. "We liked what we saw out of Mark. He uses the bottom half of the strike zone and had good sink [on his pitches].
"We needed his strength and his strength is getting ground balls."