If there's any reason to think the Texas Rangers will beat the Baltimore Orioles tonight in the AL Wild Card Game and advance on to the ALDS, it's the starting pitching match-up — Yu Darvish going for Texas against Joe Saunders for Baltimore.
Saunders, as we all know is 0-6 in his career in Rangers Ballpark, having spent several years with the Los Angeles Angels, with a lofty ERA of 9.38.
Of course, if you look at his most recent start in the Rangers' home stadium, you'll see Saunders went seven innings and allowed just one run — a home run — in a 1-0 Rangers win. But let's not talk about that.
The Rangers' offense has been struggling, there's no other way to put it. But a good remedy for this team's offense has always been returning home, where they scored 16 runs in 3 games over last weekend against the Angels. And it adds to the good vibes that they're facing Saunders, who has never been much of anything against the Rangers, especially in Arlington.
The Rangers need to jump on Saunders early tonight before Baltimore manager Buck Showalter can start working his bullpen magic. If they can do that, and get a lead for Darvish, they'll be playing on Sunday night in the ALDS.
