But Adrian Beltre could care less.
The Rangers slugging third baseman accomplished one of the rarest feats in baseball, belting three homers in a decisive game four win over the Rays. Texas advances to play either Detroit or New York in the ALCS.
I've always been a believer in chemistry, magic, and the intangible. The idea that sheer talent overcomes in the end seems too simple. If you've been around the game, you know there's more to it than statistics and raw ability. It's why the whole "Moneyball" philosophy irks me, especially now that the respected motion picture has captured the nation's attention.
Clearly, the Rangers were the better team on paper. Their lineup is arguably the best in baseball, featuring five hitters with at least 25 home runs. Their bullpen is stacked after a couple key acquisitions at the trade deadline, and the pitching is good enough to hold up against most lineups.
But the Rays had magic. I thought they had destiny on their side. It appears that the baseball gods slept through this early afternoon matchup.
In the end, the favorite IS the favorite. All the intangibles in the world don't change the fact that the Rangers had the better team and an equally strong will to win. And speaking of intangibles, the Rangers outclass the Rays in recent Playoff experience, having marched to the Fall Classic last season. I guess my heart said Rays, but my head should have been telling me Rangers all along.
More thoughts from the MLB Postseason coming up.
