2 1/2 games never looked like so big a lead

On May 30th, the Rangers beat up the A's 14-1.

They had a 5 1/2 game lead in the West.

They had the best record in the American League. 

Now everyone knew that June would bring about some hard tests for the Rangers as the heat in Texas rises to somewhere between Ecuador and Arrakis, home of the Spice.

Well how did the Rangers do in their big test month?

Worse than my worst Pre Calculus test.

The Rangers have gone 10-15 since that game against the A's and fell out of first place.

Tonight was the first of the crucial tests against the Los Angeles California Angels of Anaheim in Orange County off of the I-5. 

And if I turned in that test to my Pre Calculus teacher Mrs. Swain, she would just write on it "See Me."

2 1/2 games.

It doesn't seem like a big lead, especially with 87 games left. But they let the Angels back in it.

They were floundering with injuries, slumping hitters and tragedy. They were at .500 on June 11th.

Now they are hitting their stride and the Rangers may slip all the way to third if the Mariners keep winning.

Can they just blast the airconditioning in Arlington? Because the last time I saw something shrivel in the heat like this to become something small and fragile, I was playing with Shrinky Dinks!

A four game sweep is a four game sweep

I don't care if the Red Sox were playing the Brownies... I don't care if they started the game at 4 AM to honor Paul Revere... winning 4 games against one major league team are still 4 games.

And after reading all sorts of panic articles and Sky is Falling blog posts about Big Papi, it was nice to see him double and triple. 

Come on, admit it Sox fans... when Papi had a double and a triple by the sixth... there was part of you thinking "pop one out and then lay a bunt against the shift!" Nothing like the cycle to break a slump!

He didn't get the cycle, but maybe, like with Paul Atreides, the Sleeper has awakened!

Minimize this game all you want... but the Sox haven't lost since the first "Pissed off" game of the year.

Starting with Wakes' near no-no, they are 5-0. 

After the "Pissed Off" game, the Red Sox were 2-6.

The Orioles were 6-3 heading into Fenway.

Now the Red Sox are 7-6 and the Orioles are 6-7. Things are getting back to normal.

At the very least, these are 4 games we don't need to win later!

FATHER! THE SLEEPER HAS AWAKENED!

Sorry for the obscure Dune reference there...

But I can't help but think that the Yankees are currently like Paul Atreides after taking the Water of Life... and will soon be storming Jacobs Field on the backs of giant sandworms.

OK, I think I have confused 100% of my readers.

What I am saying is... I did not want the Yankees to wake up.
I think they woke up.

I have NO "Bring the Yankees On!" bravado.

I want no part of them.

I want to take my chances with the Indians and try to win the pennant without going through New York.

My heart can't take it.

But here come those Yankees... screaming Muad dib!