Rangers: A painful look back at the history of Rangers pitching

Part Seven: So This is what a Pennant Is

Entering the 2010s, the Texas Rangers were one of only three MLB teams to have never reached the World Series. Seeing as the Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, and Tampa Bay Rays all won their first ever pennants in the span from 2005 to 2008, it seemed like only a matter of time before the Rangers were able to hoist their own AL title.

The Rangers improved and embarked on two of the best seasons in franchise history. You all know the story, the Rangers won their first AL pennant in 2010 and eventually lost to the San Francisco Giants in the 2010 World Series. The following year they won 96 games, a franchise record, and returned to the World Series to face the St. Louis Cardinals.

This time, they sat one strike away from a championship in game six when Neftali Feliz allowed a two-run double to tie the game. The Rangers were once again one strike away from winning it all in the 10th inning when Scott Feldman allowed a game-tying RBI single.

Mark Lowe finally surrendered the winning home run in the 11th and the Rangers lost. They went on to lose game seven and lost the series. Rangers pitching had ruined the team’s chance at glory.

We are hitting more familiar territory here. The Rangers have made the playoffs five of the eight seasons this decade. So, they have had a pretty good run. Those good runs might have been great runs if not for the lifeless Rangers pitching the past few years.