With their 4-2 win over the Giants in Game 3 of the 2010 World Series Saturday night, the Rangers are now one win away from tying the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.
The Rangers will get the opportunity to even things up tonight when they host the Giants at 8:20PM ET. Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com love the Rangers’ chances too, as they’ve made Texas –150 on the money line, compared to San Francisco at +135.
Tommy Hunter will square off against rookie Madison Bumgarner in Game 4 in what could be a tight game. The Giants took the first two matchups of the series by blowing the Rangers out 11-7 and 9-0. But Texas answered back last night thanks to a solid pitching performance by Colby Lewis and home runs by Mitch Moreland and Josh Hamilton.
Even though they’ve scored 22 runs in the first three games, the Giants may want to tweak their lineup for tonight. Cleanup hitter Pat Burrell has been atrocious at the plate thus far, striking out in eight of his nine plate appearances. He K’d four times last night, including once in the ninth to lead off the inning. Nate Schierholtz has been primarily a backup, but he would give the Giants another left-handed batter in their lineup and certainly improve their defense in the outfield.
If the Giants can beat the Rangers tonight, then they’d have a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. If they lose, their 2-0 lead will be erased and then they have to face a pissed off Cliff Lee on Monday night. All games are crucial in the World Series, but tonight takes on a different meaning for both teams.