The Texas Rangers’ 2010 season was a memorable one for players and fans alike. The team won their first Division title since 1999 and also won their first AL Championship banner with the right to represent the AL in the World Series.
Regular Season
The Rangers posted a 90-72 record during the regular season. This was good for a nine game lead over the archrival Oakland Athletics. The record was also the 4th best record in the AL behind Tampa Bay Rays (96-66), New York Yankees (95-67), and Minnesota Twins (94-68).
Playoffs
In the Divisional Series, the Texas Rangers defeated the favored Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 to win the series and the right to play for the ALCS. The Rangers would play the New York Yankees who defeated the Minnesota Twins 3-0.
Texas defeated the New York Yankees 4-2 to capture their first ALCS title in franchise history. The Rangers would then face the San Francisco Giants who defeated the Atlanta Braves 3-1 in the Divisional Series, and the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 in the NLCS.
San Francisco were 92-70 during the regular season. The Rangers were no match for the NL Champions as the Giants defeated the Rangers 4-1 to claim their 6th World Series title.
Texas Rangers’ 2010 AL Pennant Team: Starting Pitching
Starting pitchers had a record of 56-47. The staff was led by C.J. Wilson who went 15-8, with a 3.35 ERA in 204.0 innings. Wilson went 1-2 in four playoff starts for the Rangers.
Colby Lewis was also a workhorse for the Rangers, pitching 201.0 innings and winning 12 games. Lewis went 3-0 in four playoff starts for the Rangers.
Scott Feldman won seven games and logged 141.0 innings. Feldman did not see any playoff action in 2010 for the Rangers.
A 23-year-old Tommy Hunter went 13-4 with a 3.73 ERA in 128.0 innings. Hunter went 0-2 in three playoff starts for the Rangers.
Cliff Lee was added to the starting rotation prior to the trade deadline. Lee went 4-6 in 15 regular season starts with the Rangers. Lee went 3-2 in five playoff starts for the Rangers.
Rich Harden went 5-5 in 18 starts. Harden did not see any playoff action for the Rangers in 2010.