2010 World Series: 10 Hero Moments That Will Lead Rangers To Win Over Giants

1 of 12

SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 26: The Texas Rangers take part in a workout session at AT&T Park on October 26, 2010 in San Francisco, California. The Texas Rangers will face off against the San Francisco Giants in Game One of the 2010 MLB World Series on Octob

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

We're less than 24 hours away from the first pitch of the 2010 World Series between the Texas Rangers, champions of the American League, and the San Francisco Giants, champions of the National League.

There have been all sorts of predictions leading up to this game since both teams clinched their respective leagues.

Some have taken the Rangers and some are going with the Giants, but one thing is for sure, this could be a better series than most think.

Sure the Yankees aren't there and neither are the Red Sox, Dodgers or Phillies, but who's to say that this series couldn't be better than a Phillies and Yankees showdown?

The Giants have three great young starters, while the Rangers have a shut-down ace and an offense that made a throttling of the New York Yankees look easy.

For me, I'm going to go with the Texas Rangers. They've shown me far too much not to pick them to win. Here are 10 moments that will lead them to bringing home the World Series trophy to Arlington.

No. 10: Cliff Lee Goes Nine Complete in Game One

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: Cliff Lee #33 of the Texas Rangers throws a pitch 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, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Al Bello/Getty Images

Exactly what the Texas Rangers needed in the first game of the biggest game in this franchise's history. A big performance in Game 1 of the World Series, out-dueling Giants' starter Tim Lincecum.

He goes nine complete for the Rangers and shows exactly why the team did everything they could to land him from Seattle before the deadline.

No. 9: Josh Hamilton Goes Big Fly Late in Game 1

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Josh Hamilton #32 of the Texas Rangers round the bases after hitting a solo homerun in the ninth inning against the New York Yankees in Game Four of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 19, 2010 in the

Andrew Burton/Getty Images

Just what the Rangers needed at the moment they needed him. One of his towering home runs in the late innings of Game 1 is all Cliff Lee will need in this one.

Game 1: Rangers 3, Giants 1

Rangers take a 1-0 lead going into Game 2.

No. 8: Michael Young's Three Hits Pace the Rangers

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: Michael Young #10 of the Texas Rangers hits a double against the New York Yankees in the seventh inning of Game Six of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 22, 2010 in Arlington, Te

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Michael Young is one of the long-time Rangers and what better stage to come up big than the World Series.

He'll pace this offense in Game 2 with three hits on the day and will be a thorn in the side of the Giants' pitchers.

No. 7: Vladimir Guerrero's Late Double Puts Game 2 on Ice

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: Vladimir Guerrero #27 of the Texas Rangers bats against the New York Yankees in Game Six of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 22, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers won 6-1. (

Elsa/Getty Images

The Rangers will lead this one from start to finish, but it will take Vladimir Guerrero lacing a late RBI double to put the game away for good.

Game 2: Rangers 5, Giants 2

Rangers take a 2-0 lead going back to Texas.

No. 6: Elvis Andrus Puts Down Huge Squeeze Bunt

BALTIMORE - AUGUST 22: Elvis Andrus #1 of the Texas Rangers lays down a bunt against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards on August 22, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Greg Fiume/Getty Images

There comes a time when you need to manufacture runs because they've come at a premium so far this season.

Elvis Andrus will get the call and put down a perfect squeeze bunt to score a run to tie the game up in the middle innings.

No. 5: Darren O'Day Comes up Big in Relief

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Darren O'Day #56 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the New York Yankees in Game Four of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 19, 2010 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/G

Nick Laham/Getty Images

With the bases loaded and the Giants already up one, the Rangers will call on right-hander Darren O'Day to stop the bleeding.

Not only will he do just that, but he'll keep a single run from scoring in the late innings. Big-time shutdown for the sidearm reliever.

Game 3: Giants 4, Ranger 3

Rangers lead 2-1 going to Game 4.

No. 4: Colby Lewis Once Again Shows up Big for the Rangers

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: Starting pitcher Colby Lewis #48 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the New York Yankees in Game Six of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 22, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Rang

Elsa/Getty Images

After the Rangers wrapped up the ALCS, thanks to an incredible performance by right-hander Colby Lewis, there were some who thought he deserved the ALCS MVP Award, which ended up going to Josh Hamilton who didn't deserve it any less.

In Game 4 of the World Series, in front of the home fans, Lewis will once again come up big for the Rangers.

No. 3: Nelson Cruz Sends the Fans Home with a Bang

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: Nelson Cruz #17 of the Texas Rangers celebrates as he crosses home plate and score on his 2-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning against the New York Yankees in Game Six of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Ra

Elsa/Getty Images

What else can Nelson Cruz do for an encore? Well, he'll show exactly why the Rangers call his bat the "boomstick."

In the home half of the ninth, with the game tied, Nelson Cruz sends the fans home with one swing of the bat.

Game 4: Rangers 5, Giants 2

Rangers lead 3-1 going to Game 5.

No. 2: Jeff Francoeur Comes up with the Biggest Hit of the Night

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 29: Jeff Francoeur #21 of the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on September 29, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Jeff "Frenchy" Francoeur has been waiting for his moment. He's been waiting for the one pitch that will make the difference for his team. He'll get that pitch and he'll turn it into a World Series clincher.

In the eighth, Francoeur drives a two-run double into the gap, giving the Rangers a one-run lead heading to the top half of the ninth. Three more outs from their first World Series Championship.

No. 1: Neftali Feliz in, World Series over

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: Bengie Molina #11 and Neftali Feliz #30 of the Texas Rangers celebrate 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 Arlingt

Elsa/Getty Images

The fans are on their feet from the moment the eighth inning came to an end. They watch as Neftali Feliz makes his way in and the anticipation grows.

Feliz makes it look far too easy for a young closer. One...two...three striking out the side, sending the ballpark in Arlington and the Texas Rangers into a frenzy.

The Texas Rangers are the World Series Champions.

Game 5: Rangers 3, Giants 2

Rangers win the World Series 4-1.

Begin Slideshow