Many folks are comparing the Texas Rangers' ALDS with the Toronto Blue Jays to the 2010 ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays — a series which saw the road team win every game, ending with a Rangers' road win in Game 5 in a dome, on artificial turf, with David Price opposing you.
It makes too much sense and there are too many parallels not to compare.
But just a couple of weeks ago, we saw a similar scenario play out in our own backyard in Arlington.
Remember when the Rangers had the AL West sewn up on Saturday Oct. 3 when they took a 10-6 lead into the ninth inning and were the dreaded on strike away from clinching? We all know what happened that day, as the Angels roared back to win the game, sending a shockwave through Globe Life Park and leaving many people to wonder what the hell just happened.
While it might have shaken everyone's confidence, that memo forgot to get to Cole Hamels.
Of course, Hamels took the mound the next day in Game 162 as the Rangers needed a win to avoid a possible one-game playoff the next day for the AL West crown. It wasn't as much of a must-win as Wednesday's Game 5 in Toronto is, but it was the same idea.
In case you forgot, Hamels went the distance after the Rangers' bullpen was burned the previous few days. He allowed two runs in the first inning and nothing else and didn't allow a hit after the second inning. He was vintage Hamels.
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That's what the Rangers need today, along with some offense, and it's comforting to know he's done it before with everything on the line.
