ARLINGTON, Texas -- Before this Toronto-Texas division series rematch began, much of the talk was about the loud, fierce rivalry that developed between the Blue Jays and Rangers last year. Jose Bautista's notorious bat flip in last October’s division clincher. His hard slide into Rougned Odor followed by the second baseman punching him in the face this May. All the emotion and bad blood and the effect it would have on the series and the fans.
With all that hype, ear plugs might have been in order when taking the field. Or boxing gloves rather than batting gloves.