MLB Playoff Predictions 2011: Texas Rangers Will Trounce Tampa Bay Rays in ALDS

Want to know why the Texas Rangers will pick apart the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS?

One word: experience.

If you're seeking for proof, look no further than the pitching matchup for Game 1. The Rangers will open up their run to a second consecutive World Series with left-handed CJ Wilson on the mound. Wilson's Major league stint dates back to 2005 and includes five postseason starts and a career-best 223.1 innings pitched this season.

The Rays, on the other hand, will put the ball in the hands of Matt Moore, the 22-year-old lefty who made his big league debut a few weeks ago and who has less than 10 major-league innings under his belt. Granted, Moore has absolutely electric stuff and, given his lack of exposure, could turn out to be the sort of "secret weapon" for the Rays that John Lackey and Francisco Rodriguez were for the Angels in 2002.

A team, by the way, on which current Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon served as the bench coach under Mike Scioscia.

But, let's be real here, folks: Moore's about as green as they come and he's about to make his postseason debut on the road, against one of baseball's most potent lineups in a ballpark known for its hitter-friendliness. The Rangers boast five players with 25 or more home runs, the second-highest team OPS and the third-highest run differential in MLB.

The Rays are no slouches, having outscored their opponents by 93 runs this season, but rely much more on strong, young pitching and timely hitting to get the job done.

Whether they'll be able to get any hits at all against Texas is a different story entirely. The current Rays roster boasts a combined .152 batting average and .527 OPS against Wilson.

As far as momentum is concerned, the Rays certainly have plenty on their side, but it's not as though the Rangers have stunk it up in September. Ron Washington's club dropped only six games the entire month, including a 14-2 mark to finish up.

Tampa Bay, on the other hand, dropped 10 games in September, albeit against tougher competition. 

Frankly, I don't buy the idea that momentum actually matters, at least coming into October baseball. Look no further than the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals, who finished the regular season in a disconcerting slump before catching fire in the fall on the way to the World Series championship.

Or, if you'd prefer more recent and relevant history, check out last year's Rangers, who finished up 8-9 against the A's, Mariners and Angels before embarking on their improbable run to the Fall Classic.

And against whom, pray tell, did Texas triumph in the 2010 ALDS? Why, Tampa Bay, of course!

As much as I love the Rays' pitching and the way they sent the Sox into the offseason in such topsy-turvy fashion, I just can't seem them winning three games against a stellar, seasoned opponent like the Rangers, who have what it takes to not only win the American League pennant again, but also claim their first World Series championship in franchise history.

Follow @J0shMart1n