7 consecutive, Matt Harrison, and My Future Commission

The Texas Rangers have won 7 straight games. They are now 10-2 against the division. They have yet to lose to either the Los Angeles Angels of Aneheim, or the Seattle Mariners. Clutch hits, and comeback wins have been a delightful feature. After back to back walkoff wins against Seattle, we had a thrilling sweep of the Angels, in 3 close games. Our biggest problem within the division at this point is last place Oakland, who we are 2-2 against. I'm quite sure we will get to them next time we play with our potent offense against their inexperienced pitching staff.

We've had a team ERA of 3.10 in the month of May. That's the best in the Major Leagues. I feel this has been due to Matt Harrison. He is leading the Rangers in all the pitching triple crown catagories in May, with a 0.78 ERA, 3 wins, and 15 strikeouts, in 23 innings. The 23 year old had Taylor Teagarden, rather than Jarrod Saltalamacchia, catching his last start in April. Harrison had failed to win a game with Salty behind the plate. After getting off to his usual rocky start, giving up 4 runs in 2 innings, Teagarden came out to the mound, and told him to relax. After which Harrison threw 5 shutout innings, holding down the Baltimore Orioles, as Texas rallied to get him his first win. Since then he won each of his starts, going all 9 innings in his last 2. Also pitching well so far in May are the setup men Darren O'Day, and C.J. Wilson, who are sharing the closer role with San Frankie on the DL, they have combined for 3 saves, 1.20 ERA, and 12 strikeouts, in 15 innings. I am also pleased the we have both lefties and righties for any pitching role. Derek Holland (L) or Jason Jennings (R) for long relief, Eddie Guardado (L) or Kris Benson (R) for mid relief, O'Day or Wilson for closing and setup, and Warner Madrigal (R) can pitch in just about any situation.

Ok today I set up a new MLB division layout. One day when I'm commisioning baseball these will be the Divisions.

AL East
New York Yankees
Philadelphia Phillies
Boston Red Sox
Tampa Bay Rays
Baltimore Orioles
Expansion team in Charlotte

NL East
New York Mets
Pittsburgh Pirates
Toronto Blue Jays
Florida Marlins
Washington Nationals
Atlanta Braves

AL Central
Detroit Tigers
Cleveland Indians
Kansas City Royals
Minneasota Twins
Chicago White Sox
Expansion team in Memphis

NL Central
Expansion team in Indianapolis
Cincinnati Reds
Saint Louis Cardinals
Milwaukee Brewers
Chicago Cubs
Expansion team in New Orleans

AL West
Texas Rangers
Expansion team in San Antonio
Seattle Mariners
San Diego Padres
Oakland Athletics
Los Angeles Angels of Aneheim

NL West
Colorado Rockies
Houston Astros
Expansion team in Portland
Arizona Diamondbacks
San Francisco Giants
Los Angeles Dodgers

The playoff system has 20 teams. The 12 1st and 2nd place teams gets a bye round, while 3rd Place teams and the 4th place Wild Card from each division play. The winners of that round go on to face the top seeded teams outside their own division. After that it's just like how the playoffs are setup now.

Tonight Texas will face the struggling Dontrelle Willis on the hill in Detroit for the Tigers. Michael Wilbon on PTI (yes I watch PTI) said that Texas would lose and tonight will be the night things change for Willis. I'm gonna wait and see how it turns out, and hopefully Willis is struggling with his mechanics tonight. My pick for player of the game is Brandon McCarthy, if he can go deep into the game, and the offense can get to Willis we should have no problem.