This was a rare five-game series that didn't feature a single game that came within fewer than three runs. The two teams exchanged blows -- Texas took Games 1 and 2 and Tampa Bay won Games 3 and 4 -- before Cliff Lee helped pace Texas to the Game 5 victory and an ALCS berth.

Lee stole the show in the series, winning both of his starts and posting a 1.13 ERA over 16 innings (two earned runs), while striking out 21. Rays ace David Price was on the losing end of both of those outings.

Carlos Pena had a "series cycle" for Tampa Bay, with four runs, one single, one double, one triple, one home run and four RBIs. Elvis Andrus, Nelson Cruz and Ian Kinsler each had eight hits for Texas, with Cruz and Kinsler each hitting three home runs.

Path to the ALDS: Texas (90-72) won the AL West by nine games; Tampa Bay (96-66) won the AL East by one game 

Managers: Ron Washington, TEX; Joe Maddon, TB