World Series 2010: 5 Keys To Win It All

The Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants both come into the 2010 World Series as having been heavy underdogs throughout their playoff runs.  Now, Texas is the favorite, even with starting the series in San Francisco.  

This should be a great series to follow when it commences Wednesday evening on FOX.  

Both teams are looking to prove that their respective Championship Series victories were no fluke.  Truth is though, both teams are capable of hoisting the World Series Trophy.  Only time will tell though, as always.  

But as for now, here are five ways that each team can win it all.  

Why Texas Rangers Will Win the World Series

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: The Texas Rangers celebrate on the field after defeating the New York Yankees 6-1 in Game Six of the ALCS to advance to the World Series during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 22, 2010 in Arli

The Texas Rangers and their MVP Josh Hamilton have been the story of these playoffs thus far.   Their miracle sprint to the Series by dismembering the AL East was difficult but now it's about to pay off.  

5. Set Up The "Big Play" Atmosphere

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: Josh Hamilton #32 of the Texas Rangers rounds third base to score in the fifth inning of Game Six of the ALCS against the New York Yankees during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 22, 2010 in Ar

Texas has lived by the big play so far in these playoffs.  They have proved throughout that they can hit and have delivered on numerous occasions with big-time home runs. Josh Hamilton has been their biggest run-producer and now his MVP season may come full circle.  

Their ability to consistently make the "big play" has put them in the World Series.  It ultimately pushed them past the Yankees and Rays.  Even more so, their ability to score first has always put them in a good position early on in games.

If they continue to thrive off of the long ball and impactful plays, it might catapult them to their first World Series title.  

4. Play Your Game

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: Bengie Molina #11 (R) and Neftali Feliz #30 of the Texas Rangers celebrate with their teammates after the Rangers won 8-0 against the New York Yankees in Game Three of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on Oct

Clearly, as mentioned in the previous slide, the Rangers play for the quick start and rely on just chipping away at that. Their opponents, the San Francisco Giants, will continue to use the style that got them here.  

They played small ball and were nearly flawless in their NLCS victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Rangers will need to get to work quickly and put their game plan to practice if they are to have success.  The Giants will look to thwart their offense and combat it with some timely hitting, not necessarily the long ball, but just simply playing for the run.

Styles will combat in this series and make things even more interesting.  

3. Bombs Away

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Vladimir Guerrero #27 of the Texas Rangers reacts after striking out against the New York Yankees in Game Five of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 20, 2010 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (P

The Rangers lineup from top-to-bottom is very underrated.  They have a very solid balance to it as well.  Elvis Andrus, Michael Young and Ian Kinsler, the speed guys, get on base and let the power hitters do the rest of the damage and put runs on the board.

Their free-swinging outfielder Vladimir Guerrero needs to be more patient against the excellent pitching staff he will be facing.  Though it does not start or end with Guerrero.  

Also, Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz need to wait for their pitch and drive it.  This is their style and will be the way that they win this series.  

2. Steal a Game in San Francisco

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 21: A view of the stadium during Game Five of the NLCS between the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at AT&T Park on October 21, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Harry How

The Rangers will need to go into AT&T Park and take at least one game from the first two in the series.  This will be their "make-or-break" and could tell a lot for how the series plays out.  Thus far, Texas has been dominant on the road and will need to continue that trend.

Not that San Francisco is an incredibly difficult place to play, but the crowd will be rowdy as it is the World Series.  But if Texas is able to go on the road and do what they've done to this point, that will easily swing the momentum into their favor.  

1. Wins Other Than Through Cliff Lee

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: Cliff Lee #33 of the Texas Rangers stands on the mound for the performance of 'Gob Bless America' against the New York Yankees in Game Three of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 18, 2010 in New York

As usual, Cliff Lee has been dominant in these playoffs for Texas.  He's won big games for the Rangers against Tampa Bay and New York.  Lee did the same thing for Philadelphia last season so this is no big surprise.  That's what the ace does for a team when the season is on the line.  

They will need Lee to be great again. This much is a given though for him.  They will more so need their other pitchers to deliver. C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis and the entire bullpen will need to be even better in this series.  

Why The San Francisco Giants Will Win The World Series

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 23: Aubrey Huff #17 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 and winning the pennant in Game Six of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park on October 23, 2010 in Philadelph

The San Francisco Giants' methods of "torture" will need to be their driving force again.  They just defeated one of the best teams in all of sports in shocking fashion.  That fact can't get to their heads, and they will need to be just as good for four more wins.  

5. Plate Patience

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 21: Cody Ross #13 of the San Francisco Giants hits a RBI double in the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Five of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at AT&T Park on October 21, 2010 in San Francisco, Califo

The Giants will again need to be patient at the plate.  In facing Philadelphia's H20 rotation, they worked and tested their arms and put their own twist on the series, driving it to a World Series appearance.  They will now have the chance to do this again with Texas.

Cody Ross was the best player in the NLCS and was awarded MVP because of it.  Now is the time for young Buster Posey to show up as he did in Game 4 against Philadelphia.  Also, Pat Burrell and others are expected to contribute more.  This all relates back to being patient at the plate and not hacking at bad pitches.  

4. Timely Hitting

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 23: Juan Uribe #5 of the San Francisco Giants hits a solo home run to take a 3-2 lead in the eigth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park on October 23, 2

No hit was bigger to this point than Juan Uribe's eighth inning homer off of Ryan Madson.  This was a long time coming for the veteran infielder, and now he's on baseball's grandest stage.  That piece of timely hitting will need to come in hand even more in this series.  

The Giants are going to go into this series with the same mentality as before.  Both teams slayed eastern "giants" to get to this point, and now one will need to outlast the other and take home the crown.  With more timely hitting, the Giants will be the ones to get this done.

3. Utilize Small Ball Tactics

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 23: Carlos Ruiz #51 of the Philadelphia Phillies tags Andres Torres #56 of the San Francisco Giants out at home in the third inning in Game Six of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park on October 23, 2010 in P

The Giants used small ball to get past the Phillies, and their plan was executed perfectly.  They were able to play for the run and oust the Phillies' high-powered offense.  

In this World Series, a similar storyline may come true.  The Rangers are their opponent with the big-play offense now and the Giants must go to war with their small offense and big arms.

Small ball will be a major key for Bruce Bochy's club once again.  Their ability to do it all season long was crucial; this was most obvious though in the NLCS.  

2. Set The Tempo Early on at Home

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 23: Jonathan Sanchez #57 of the San Francisco Giants is held back by teammates Buster Posey #28, Juan Uribe #5, and Edgar Renteria #16 after hitting Chase Utley of the Philadelphia Phillies with a pitch in the third inning in Game

San Francisco needs to take advantage of their being home in the early part of this series.  If they can jump out to a 2-0 lead, especially in facing Lee in Game 1, this could set them up greatly for the rest of the series.  

These are no longer Barry Bonds' Giants, as the whole makeup of this team has changed since Bonds' departure.  This is an entirely new breed of talent that they have and for their fans it has been something special.  Their fans need to play a big part in this series and could will this team to victory.  

1. Big-Time Timmy Jim Time

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 21: Tim Lincecum #55 of the San Francisco Giants throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning of Game Five of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at AT&T Park on October 21, 2010 in San Francisco, Califo

Reigning two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum has been a major reason for the Giants' postseason success.  He's proved his big-game worth again and has given the Giants victories when they needed them most. 

With just a few more wins, the Giants will be champions.  Lincecum must continue to be a factor for them and needs to pitch the best that he has in his career.  The Giants will depend on him mightily to out-duel Cliff Lee.

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