Series Preview: Texas Rangers @ Anaheim Angels - Victory Lap

This one is going to be short and sweet because it doesn't really matter.

Watch your Texas Rangers in this series. It's the last time you'll be able to do that in 2011 in a regular season series. Enjoy Tom Grieve and the Fox Sports Southwest broadcast. Catch some Leonys Martin at-bats. See some Mark Hamburger innings. See if Ian Kinsler gets one more stolen base. See if Nelson Cruz shows signs that his timing is back.

Remember that the Angels shuffled and maneuvered their top three pitchers around at the risk of their arms just to have them for this now meaningless series. Remember a time when we were told everything would come down to these three games. Laugh. Pop another cork. 

See you in the playoffs, American League.

See you next year, Anaheim.

Here's a breakdown of the pitching match-ups this weekend:

C.J. Wilson: 16-7, 8.38 K/9, 2.93 BB/9, .288 BABIP, 73.2% LOB, 3.21 FIP, 3.36 xFIP, 5.7 WAR - Last three starts: 3 runs allowed in 20.1 innings

Dan Haren: 16-9, 7.19 K/9, 1.25 BB/9, .269 BABIP, 71.6% LOB, 2.98 FIP, 3.31 xFIP, 6.2 WAR - Last three starts: 7 runs allowed in 22.0 innings

Advantage: C.J. Wilson chillin' out over Dan Haren deciding on where to go golfing/hunting/do whatever it is a creepy looking dude like Haren does for leisure this upcoming weekend

Colby Lewis: 13-10, 7.60 K/9, 2.55 BB/9, .268 BABIP, 73.5% LOB, 4.62 FIP, 4.10 xFIP, 1.9 WAR - Last three starts: 12 runs allowed in 19.1 innings

Ervin Santana: 11-12, 7.01 K/9, 2.83 BB/9, .272 BABIP, 76.6% LOB, 3.99 FIP, 3.92 xFIP, 3.3 WAR - Last three starts: 12 runs allowed in 19.0 innings

Advantage: Colby Lewis maxin' over Ervin Santana figuring out which winter ball team to play for

Matt Harrison: 12-9, 6.04 K/9, 2.80 BB/9, .295 BABIP, 71.7% LOB, 3.90 FIP, 3.92 xFIP, 3.3 WAR - Last three starts: 6 runs allowed in 17.2 innings

Jered Weaver: 18-8, 7.56 K/9, 2.14 BB/9, .250 BABIP, 82.6% LOB, 3.20 FIP, 3.78 xFIP, 5.7 WAR - Last three starts: 5 runs allowed in 21.1 innings

Advantage: Matt Harrison relaxin' all cool over Jered Weaver spending the next six months realizing he signed up for another five years of finishing behind the Rangers

LA Anaheim Angels (86-73, 2nd Place AL West)

Rangers 2011 Record vs. Anaheim: 9-7 (4-3 at Angel Stadium)

Anaheim's Recent Results: 1-2 Series loss to the Oakland A's

Anaheim's Home Record: 45-33

Angel Stadium Park Factors (LHB/RHB): HR: 90/93 - wOBA: 99/98

SB Nation Angles Blog: Halos Heaven (Don't bother.)

Questions to Answer:

• Your guess: Number of days the Rangers weren't in first this season?
• Who is your pick to lead the Rangers in don't give a shit in this series? (I'll say all of them.)
• Over/Under: 3.5 times the camera shows Mike Scioscia giving his someone farted face after a distasteful play transpires for his Angels?
• Yay or Nay: The Rangers officially eliminate the Angels on their field tonight?
• Yay or Nay: The Rangers clinch ALDS home field?