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A look back at the Texas Rangers’ 2011 AL Pennant-winning team

By Chris Giles

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 23: (L-R) Adrian Beltre #29 and Elvis Andrus #1 of the Texas Rangers talk on the field during Game Four of the MLB World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 23, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 23: (L-R) Adrian Beltre #29 and Elvis Andrus #1 of the Texas Rangers talk on the field during Game Four of the MLB World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 23, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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The Texas Rangers’ 2011 season was a near miss for the World Series.  The Rangers won the ALCS for the second consecutive year and were one strike away from winning their first World Series before falling to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games.

Regular Season

The Rangers posted a franchise-best 96-66 record during the regular season.  This was good for a 10 game lead over the archrival Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  The record was also the 2nd best record in the AL behind the  New York Yankees (97-65).

Playoffs

In the Divisional Series, the Texas Rangers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 to win the series and the right to play for the ALCS.  The Rangers would play the Detroit Tigers who defeated the New York Yankees 3-2.

Texas defeated the Detroit Tigers 4-2 to capture their second consecutive ALCS title.  The Rangers would then face the St. Louis Cardinals who defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 in the Divisional Series, and the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2 in the NLCS.

St. Louis were 90-72 during the regular season.  The Rangers were one strike away from winning the World Series in the 9th inning of game six.  The Cardinals would roar back and win games six and seven to win their 11th World Series Championship in franchise history.

Texas Rangers’ 2011 AL Pennant Team: Starting Pitching

Starting pitchers had a record of 73-39, a significant improvement over the 2010 starters.  The staff was once again led by C.J. Wilson who went 16-7, with a 2.94 ERA in 223.1 innings. Wilson also represented Texas at the All-Star Game for the first time.  Wilson went 0-3 in five playoff starts for the Rangers.

Colby Lewis was also once again a workhorse for the Rangers, pitching 200.1 innings and posting a record of 14-10.  Lewis went 1-1 in four playoff starts for the Rangers.

Derek Holland had a tremendous year starting for the Rangers.  Holland went 16-5 with a 3.95 ERA in 198.0 innings pitched.  Holland went 2-0 in four playoff starts for the Rangers.

Matt Harrison went 14-9 with a 3.39 ERA in 185.2 innings during the regular season.  Harrison went 1-2 in four playoff starts, with both loses taking place during the World Series.

Alexi Ogando moved to the starting rotation for the regular season.  Ogando also represented Texas at the All-Star Game when he went 13-8 with a 3.51 ERA in 29 starts.  During the post season, Ogando moved to the bullpen and went 2-0 in 13 relief appearances.

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