World Series Game 3: Texas Rangers Nervous as a Porcupine in a Balloon Factory?

Ah, you gotta love Texas and its slang.

Whether the Rangers are sweatin' like a turkey the day before Thanksgiving or not, they ought to be because the Giants have spanked them so far like a rented mule.

Everything is bigger in Texas, they say. But for Rangers fans, players and management, nothing is bigger than Game 3 of this here World Series.

For if'n the Giants find a way to win again, it's all over but the shoutin'.

Thus far, the Giants have been hotter'n a goat's butt in a pepper patch. Yes sir, following an 11-7 beatdown of previously untouchable Cliff Lee and the Rangers in Game 1, the city by the Bay came back to clobber Texas 9-0 on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, the Rangers will be happy as a tick on a stray dog if they find the home cookin' to their liking on Saturday. They return home to face the Giants in a pivotal Game 3 that will likely end any fading hope of a Rangers title if they lose.

The burden rests on the broad shoulders of starting pitcher Colby Lewis, who has been really good in the postseason thus far. Lewis has started three games while allowing just three runs.

So let's take a look at the keys to Game 3. Now I may be two sandwiches short of a picnic, but if Texas can win this game, they are right back in the series.

But if they lose? Well, that would be a kick in the Texas pistachio wagon.

Colby Lewis Needs to Be in Control

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

We know that Saturday's starter for the Rangers has had an excellent postseason.

But his only flaw, if you could call any pitcher who has given up only three runs in three games "flawed," is his 11 walks.

Not overly concerning, of course, but given that bases on balls have practically killed the Rangers in the first two games, it would be advisable for Lewis to throw strikes.

Of course, if he does that, the Giants just might hit the heck out of the ball as they have done in each of the first two games. But if you're going to give up a long ball, do it with the bases empty.

Rangers Relievers Need To Wake Up and Smell The Stench

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Derek Holland #45 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 Jim McIsaac/G

By "stench," I am referring to the smell that Rangers relief pitchers have left in the first two games of the series.

Specifically, Derek Holland threw 11 straight balls in Game 2, and Mark Lowe has been awful in each game.

Texas relievers are a good group, and it's time for them to show up.

Rangers Bats Love Home Cookin'

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 28: (L-R) Josh Hamilton #32 and Ian Kinsler #5 of the Texas Rangers look on after the end of the top of the sixth inning while taking on the San Francisco Giants in Game Two of the 2010 MLB World Series at AT&T Park on October 28,

In Game 2, the Rangers were shut out for only the sixth time all season.

While they scored seven runs in Game 1, they had just four hits Thursday night—Kinsler's double and three singles.

Meanwhile, Texas ranked fifth in MLB in runs scored during the regular season and they were even better at home. A .288/.352/.447/.800 slash at home as opposed to .265/.324/.391/.716 on the road.

Ron Washington Needs to Manage with a Sense of Urgency

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 28: Manager Ron Washington of the Texas Rangers walks to the mound in the eighth inning while taking on the San Francisco Giants in Game Two of the 2010 MLB World Series at AT&T Park on October 28, 2010 in San Francisco, Californi

I know it's tough to say that a manager looks bad when his team is not hitting and his relievers are not pitching well.

But still, this is the World Series, and Washington has to do something to find a spark.

He has been slow to pull his pitchers, leaving Cliff Lee in a bit too long in Game 1 and allowing Holland to throw 11 consecutive balls. I know he wants to save Neftali Perez to protect a late lead, but perhaps he may have to consider using him earlier in a close Game 3 since this is do-or-die for the Rangers.

Whether it's changing the lineup or pitching Lee on short rest, something Washington has said he doesn't want to do, he just needs to manage with a sense of urgency.

Playing at Home Means Vladimir Guerrero Returns to the Lineup

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 28: Vladimir Guerrero #27 of the Texas Rangers looks on from the dugout late in the game against the San Francisco Giants in Game Two of the 2010 MLB World Series at AT&T Park on October 28, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Ph

Manager Ron Washington couldn't play Vlad in Game 2 because of his awful defense.

When Vlad isn't in their lineup, it makes things a bit tougher.

While there was nothing he could have done to overcome the nine-run deficit, Guerrero will help an offense that struggled on Thursday night.

Guerrero has hit lefties to a .338/.395/.536/.931 clip this season and hit over 30 points better at home than on the road.

Prediction: Rangers Win Game 3 by a Score of 7-3

It says here that home cooking agrees with the Rangers and they beat the Giants on Saturday and Sunday.

But there is no getting around the fact that Texas will need to win four out of their next five games if they are to take the series. But I predict they will win a couple in Texas anyway, even though they may not win the title.