The definitive Top 10 Texas Rangers games of the 2010s

The 10 best Texas Rangers games of the 2010s

#2: 2011 World Series Game 5: Rangers 4, Cardinals 2

Ah yes, the final game of the 2011 World Series.

Well, for our memories’ sake, anyway. But what a game this was. I remember reading somewhere recently that Lance Berkman thinks St. Louis should have swept this series and I find that comment so laughable. First the Derek Holland game, and then Mike Napoli staking his claim at what should’ve been his World Series MVP.

The last World Series game Texas has won to this day had everything you could ask for as a baseball fan. St. Louis jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, and the Rangers countered with Moreland and Beltre homers in the third and sixth innings respectively, but the game came down to the eighth inning when Mike Napoli drove in two runs on a double into the right-center gap that gave Texas a 4-2 lead.

Have I gone back and watched this game just to feel something in moments of existential dread? Countless times. I know we were one strike away twice in Game 6, but the thrilling feeling of “We’re doing it!!! We’re doing it!!!” as Napoli gunned down Allen Craig after Neftali struck out Pujols… man, I KNOW it stings, but what a thrilling feeling that was. We were that close.