The Texas Rangers are on the brink of elimination in the 2010 World Series following a 4-0 loss at the hands of Madison Bumgarner in Game 4 on Sunday night. Bumgarners win gave the Giants a commanding 3-1 series lead.
It will be up to Cliff Lee to pitch the Rangers into a Game 6. Lee will receive a shot at redemption after being hit hard and hung with the loss in Game 1 of the World Series. Lee lasted only four and two thirds innings in game one, allowing seven runs (six earned) on eight hits and a walk. Lee had allowed only two earned runs the entire postseason to date until that start, spanning 24 innings of work in three starts against the Rays and Yankees.
Lee will be opposed by Giants ace Tim Lincecum who earned the Game 1 victory. Though he earned the victory, Lincecum was not sharp in Game 1. Lincecum didn't escape the sixth inning, pitching five and two thirds innings, allowing four runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out three. It was easily Lincecum's worst start of the postseason - much like Lee had his worst start in Game 1.
Even with having ace Cliff Lee on the mound, the Rangers bats will have to wake up. The offense mustered only three hits off of Madison Bumgarner last night and drew only two walks. Texas' three and four hitters, Josh Hamilton and Vladimir Guerrero, combined to go 0-7 with four strikeouts in the Game 4 loss.
First pitch between the rematch of the aces Lee and Lincecum will take place at 7:57 PM EDT, 6:57 local time. Televised coverage can be found on FOX with coverage starting at 7:30 EDT, 6:30 CDT.