Community Picks: Texas Rangers 0% vs Oakland Athletics 0%

Left-hander Cole Hamels and right-hander Yu Darvish were struggling before pitching gems in the first two games of the Texas Rangers' three-game series against the Oakland A's. Hamels pitched seven shutout innings in a 3-0 victory on Friday night when the Rangers clinched the American League West title. Darvish blanked the A's for seven inning in a 5-0 win on Saturday afternoon. Continue to Article

September 25, 2016 2:34:am EST

TORONTO — The right guy, at the right time. That’s how Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons described the situation in the bottom of the eighth inning when, with two on and two out, Jose Bautista came up to bat. On a 2-0 pitch right down the middle of the plate, the right fielder didn't miss, hitting a three-run blast into the left field stands, giving the Blue Jays the 3-0 lead against the New York Yankees on Saturday afternoon. It was a lead they would not relinquish, earning themselves back-to-back wins to open the final homestand of the regular season at the Rogers Centre. " Looks like he’s heating up at the right time," Gibbons said in his post-game press conference. "Jose, he’s been known to do some things at key spots. I was sitting there on the bench with DeMarlo (Hale), and I mentioned that to him. You know, right guy, right time basically." According to the Blue Jays’ public relations staff, it was the 16th time in Bautista’s career that he’s given his team the lead with a the long ball in the eighth inning or later. Fourteen times he did it for the Blue Jays. In other words, Bautista has been "the right guy, at the right time" many times before. “Obviously last year and obviously this year, it seems like he always steps up in those key moments when we need him most,” sais Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman about Bautista. The win also helps the Blue Jays tighten their grip on the top wild-card spot in the American League. At the conclusion of their 3-0 win, the Blue Jays held a two game-lead over the Detroit Tigers and the Baltimore Orioles for the top wild-card spot. (Note: The Orioles could cut that lead to 1.5 games with a win against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday night). After a shaky start to September, the Blue Jays look to be hitting their stride again when it matters most. With that in mind, here are three other takeaways from Saturday’s game: Pitching duel for last playoff rotation spot: For a second day in a row, a Blue Jays starter held the Yankees scoreless. On Saturday afternoon, Marcus Stroman took the mound and pitched seven shutout innings, allowing just one hit, while striking out five. That performance comes just one night after veteran starter Francisco Liriano did much the same, blanking the Yankees through six innings Friday night in the eventual 9-0 rout. With J.A. Happ, Marco Estrada and Aaron Sanchez all but locks for the potential playoff rotation, there could be a battle brewing between Liriano and Stroman for that fourth spot. Gibbons said Stroman looked “as good as I’ve seen him,” in his outing Saturday. As for Stroman, he said he was happy with his performance. “I had everything going. I felt great out there. I felt strong. Felt like I was pretty much hitting all my spots,” he said. “I don’t know if it was best, but I put it up there as one of the best performances that I’ve had as far as stuff wise and as far as giving us an opportunity to win late in the game.” Scoreboard watch: With just eight games left on the schedule, the American League playoff picture is beginning to take shape. The Texas Rangers have clinched the AL West, while the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox appear poised to secure top spots in the AL Central and East, respectively. As mentioned, the Blue Jays are currently in possession of the top wild-card spot with Detroit and Baltimore jockeying for the second position. On the outside, but still very much in the hunt, are the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners, while the Yankees and Kansas City Royals seem to be long shots, at best. Needless to say, this is the time of the year when watching the out-of-town scoreboard can sometimes be more thrilling than watching what’s happening on the field. “You’re aware of it,” manager Gibbons said of watching the out-of-town scores. “Really from the beginning of the season on, I glance up cause it’s right out there on the walls… but you know what, you really have to take care of your own team. And if we win games, we’re in a pretty good position. I think it’s kind of human nature — we’re all interested cause it matters what other teams are doing as well.” Team of sluggers: It's no secret the Blue Jays are more than capable of hitting the long ball. While at times during the year, Toronto's bats have fallen silent, the team has still managed to have seven players on its roster hit at least 20 home runs this season. After his homer in the eighth inning, Bautista became the latest Blue Jay to hit at least 20 home runs this season. He joins Edwin Encarnacion, Troy Tulowitzki, Russell Martin, Michael Saunders, Josh Donaldson and Melvin Upton Jr. (four with the Blue Jays, 16 wit the San Diego Padres). For Bautista, it also marks the seventh season in a row that he's hit at least 20 home runs.   Continue to Article

September 24, 2016 9:24:pm EST

Elvis Andrus had been dealing with flu symptoms and kept his celebration rather subdued after the Texas Rangers clinched the AL West, so he asked manager Jeff Banister afterward to please put him in the lineup again Saturday. The lone veteran in the lineup a day after Texas won captured another division title, Andrus showed it by hitting a pair of two-run homers in the Rangers' 5-0 victory against the Oakland Athletics on Saturday. Texas wants to keep winning to earn home-field advantage. Continue to Article

September 24, 2016 8:28:pm EST

On Friday night, the Texas Rangers clinched their second straight AL West title with a 3-0 win over the A’s. That meant it was celebration time in the visitor’s clubhouse at the Oakland Coliseum. In fact, every regular, save for shortstop Elvis Andrus, was on the bench. Manager Jeff Banister is probably glad he did too, as he delivered a pair of two-run home runs in Texas’ 5-0 win. Continue to Article

September 24, 2016 7:57:pm EST

Colby Lewis obliged his wife when she requested a picture under an AL West champion banner of the four Texas players part of each division title since 2010. Lewis was joined for the celebratory clubhouse photo op Friday night by Elvis Andrus, Derek Holland and Mitch Moreland. The Rangers are on to the playoffs again after capturing their second straight AL West title and fourth since 2010 with a 3-0 win against the Oakland Athletics. Continue to Article

September 24, 2016 4:10:pm EST