The Wild Card

I'm watching the Rangers tonight. If they win, they go on to the playoffs. If they lose, they are done for the year. 

Obviously, I want them to win. They were ahead in their division for almost the entire season and let that lead slip away. Not only that, they lost the division on the final day of the regular season to the division rival who threatened to take it. They did take it.

Like so many other Rangers fans, I want to see them go all the way. But the deeper we get into this game, the more it seems like this might be the end for them. I'll be upset because of how they started this season. I'll be upset because of how they lost Game 6 last year. But I also think maybe an end is what they need. 

When they started the season, all the commentators spoke of the depth on this team. The lineup was the most powerful in baseball, 1-9. The pitching was top-notch. But in June, one of their starters was out for a period of time due to a weird virus and by July they had lost two more of their starters; they had to go get guys to make up for the holes in their rotation. They had problems with their bullpen. There were some injuries to players, which every team faces. As the season went on, they struggled. They managed to win enough games that they stayed on top...until the very end. 

And now here they are, down two in the bottom of the eighth. I am going to be heartbroken (Give me a few days, okay?)

*INTERRUPTION: THE RANGERS NEED A RUN HERE!

if they don't win, but maybe they need the break that a loss would give them. They will regroup. They will continue to build this team. They will be back to the playoffs in years to come. Sometimes, even when we desperately want the win, it's not what's best for us in the long run. I'm trying very hard to think of a practical example of that!! If you can, let me know what it is! 

Then again, they have a runner in scoring position, and the tying run is at bat.

I'm waffling!

Because who am I kidding? I totally want them to win. 

Thanks for listening to me prattle on about baseball. Because, you know, I love this game.