2011 MLB Playoff Bracket: Texas Rangers Set to Return to the World Series

Can anyone look at the Texas Rangers lineup and seriously say that they aren't the team to beat in the American League?

This is a team that, after battling a bunch of injuries throughout the season, is hitting .283 with 210 home runs and 5.28 runs per game.

The New York Yankees, of course, have an equally potent batting order as they are the only team with more homers and runs per game than the Rangers (they are hitting 20 points worse, though). I just don't see the Yankees pitching on par with Texas, however.

But first, back to the hitting.

Texas has three guys with 30 or more home runs, but if it weren't for injuries to Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz, it would easily be five. 

This lineup is scary. 

Mike Napoli, their catcher of all positions, has a .631 slugging percentage. He hit 30 home runs in just 369 at-bats. That's the definition of power.

Josh Hamilton is one of the best pure hitters in the majors. No explanation needed. 

Adrian Beltre is on absolute fire right now, hitting .385 with 12 homers over his last 28 games.

Ian Kinsler has walked more than he's struck out en route to 32 home runs.

Michael Young is hitting a decent .338.

Oh, and there's Nelson Cruz who's slugging .509. Yeah, I'd say there's some weapons on this team. When you have a squad that can score runs like the Rangers can, pitching isn't always the most important thing to have.

But the Rangers have that, too.

C.J. Wilson, Derek Holland, Matt Harrison and Alexi Ogando make up a formidable foursome. They all have ERAs under four (Wilson's is under three), they can all work deep into games with the exception of maybe Ogando and I would take them over New York's top three or four.

After those trade-deadline deals, Texas also has quite possibly the best bullpen in the majors. 

Koji Uehara, Mike Adams and closer Neftali Feliz are three of the most dominant bullpen arms in the league. 

What you have with Texas is a powerhouse team that is getting overlooked because of teams like the Yankees and everyone's favorite Cinderella, the Tampa Bay Rays.

That's a dangerous combination.

The Rangers will have days when they slip up and forget to score runs, but this team is just too dangerous to lose a series.