The Rangers and Astros have by no means confronted off within the postseason. In actual fact, they’ve solely made the postseason in the identical 12 months as soon as, in 2015, when each golf equipment had been eradicated of their respective American League Division Sequence.
The 2 Texas golf equipment have met 266 occasions since their first assembly on June 8, 2001, at The Ballpark in Arlington, and now they’ll lastly meet within the postseason for Recreation 1 of the ALCS at Minute Maid Park on Sunday. The defending World Sequence champion Astros are making their seventh consecutive look within the ALCS and in search of their fifth pennant since 2017.
The Astros gained the Silver Boot in 2023, profitable 9 of the 13 matchups between the 2 golf equipment.
The Rangers spent 159 days of the season in first place within the AL West, however fell in need of the crown on the final day of the season, after they did not safe yet one more win over the Mariners. Texas rebounded shortly, sweeping by way of the AL’s prime two groups within the Rays and Orioles to advance to its first ALCS since 2011.
Then again, Texas’ late collapse allowed the Astros to safe their third straight division title — and sixth within the final seven years — by way of a tiebreaker and punch a ticket straight to the ALDS, the place they defeated the Twins in 4 video games.
“It’s going to be an excellent battle,” Astros outfielder Michael Brantley mentioned. “They labored arduous to get right here as nicely. We’re actually conversant in each other. I do know now we have lots of historical past and we look ahead to going on the market Recreation 1 and competing in opposition to them and it’s going to be an incredible collection.”
Realizing a rematch of the Lone Star Sequence might be on the horizon, Rangers supervisor Bruce Bochy was solely apprehensive about one factor: making it to the ALCS to start with.
“I have not been eager about something however making an attempt to win this collection [against Baltimore],” Bochy mentioned. “I am a recreation at a time, collection at a time. That is so far as I can go. Nevertheless it might occur. You do not know. However I am simply excited to listen to we’re within the Championship Sequence.”
When is the sport and the way can I watch it?
Sunday’s recreation shall be televised within the U.S. on FOX at 8:15 p.m. ET.
All collection can be found within the U.S. on MLB.TV with authentication to a collaborating Pay TV supplier. Video games can be found reside internationally (besides in Canada). Full recreation archives shall be obtainable roughly 90 minutes after the sport ends.
Who’re the beginning pitchers?
Rangers: LHP Jordan Montgomery
The rotation might be shuffled round if one or each of Max Scherzer and Jon Grey are activated off the injured record to make the ALCS roster, however Bochy will keep establishment and begin Montgomery in Recreation 1.
The lefty, who the Rangers acquired from the Cardinals on the Commerce Deadline, tossed seven scoreless innings within the Wild Card Sequence in opposition to the Rays, however struggled to permit 5 runs in 4 innings of Recreation 2 of the ALDS in opposition to the Orioles.
Montgomery by far has been the Rangers most constant pitcher because the Commerce Deadline, posting a 2.79 ERA in 11 regular-season begins since becoming a member of Texas.
Astros: Justin Verlander
Verlander’s 17 profession postseason wins are second-most all-time behind Andy Pettitte, and he ranks third all time in playoff innings (213 2/3) and first in strikeouts with 236. Verlander was the MVP of the 2017 ALCS when the Astros beat the Yankees.
Verlander, who was traded again to the Astros in July after signing with the Mets within the offseason, beat the Rangers on Sept. 6, permitting one earned run in seven innings in Arlington. In his final three begins, together with Recreation 1 of the ALDS in opposition to the Twins, he’s allowed one run in 19 innings.
What are the projected beginning lineups?
Rangers: Bruce Bochy’s carousel within the three-hole has come proper again round to Mitch Garver, who hadn’t made an look but this postseason however hit a grand slam within the Recreation 2 win. Bochy then joked that in the event you hit a grand slam, you’ll be again within the lineup the subsequent day. Garver was, and he delivered as soon as once more, with an enormous two-run double within the series-clinching win in Arlington.
Bochy additionally moved rookie Evan Carter up from the 9 spot all the best way to fifth, proper smack in between All-Stars Adolis García and Jonah Heim. Carter is hitting .429 with 1.476 OPS in his first 5 profession postseason video games.
Astros: The Astros, who had been second within the Main Leagues with an .809 OPS in opposition to left-handed pitching within the common season, will possible trot out the identical lineup they utilized in three out of the 4 video games within the ALDS, with Yordan Alvarez possible in left subject at Minute Maid Park.
How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Rangers: The Rangers’ bullpen needs to be nicely rested after a number of days off because of a sweep of the Orioles. José Leclerc has been the Rangers’ finest reliever of late after ending September with a 1.98 ERA throughout 13 2/3 innings after re-earning the nearer function. He’s allowed only one run in 5 innings this postseason.
Aroldis Chapman has but to permit a run, however has struggled with walks within the postseason, however guys like Josh Sborz and Will Smith have additionally been utilized in leverage conditions. Martín Pérez, Dane Dunning and Cody Bradford will proceed to be obtainable as long-relief choices.
The bullpen as an entire has been a weak spot for Texas this season, nevertheless it’s been comparatively regular this postseason.
Astros: The Astros’ bullpen shall be rested and prepared for the Rangers with three full days off between video games. They’ll line up Hector Neris, Bryan Abreu and nearer Ryan Pressly, who’s 13-for-13 all time in save probabilities within the playoffs, with Phil Maton the popular option to pitch out of jams.
Rafael Montero and Ryne Stanek might be referred to as upon to get huge outs, and there’s some lengthy aid choices in Hunter Brown and J.P. France, although one in all them will possible have to begin a recreation. Astros relievers have posted a 2.30 ERA within the crew’s final 10 video games (together with the playoffs) with 58 strikeouts in 54 2/3 innings.
Rangers: The Rangers’ new and improved rotation has been decimated by accidents all season, with Jacob deGrom (proper elbow), Max Scherzer (proper shoulder) and Jon Grey (proper forearm) all on the IL heading into the postseason. Each Grey and Scherzer threw a reside BP on Wednesday and might be activated for the ALCS if all goes nicely, however there aren’t any ensures simply but.
Reliever Jonathan Hernández was left off the Wild Card and ALDS rosters as a result of a proper lat pressure, an damage that Bochy mentioned was sustained throughout Recreation 162, when Hernández tossed one good inning with two strikeouts in Texas’ 1-0 loss to Seattle. It’s unclear whether or not he’ll be obtainable after the ALDS.
Astros: Reduction pitcher Kendall Graveman is battling proper shoulder discomfort and won’t be on the ALCS roster.
Who’s sizzling, who’s not?
Rangers: The Rangers’ rookie duo of Carter and Jung have continued their sizzling begins to this postseason, with Carter hitting .429 with 1.476 OPS and Jung hitting .400 with a 1.209 OPS. And but, Seager has been higher than each, with a .429/.680/.857 line in his first postseason with Texas.
It’s arduous to select a slumping participant within the Rangers’ lineup after an overwhelming sweep of the Orioles, however leadoff hitter Marcus Semien is hitting simply .174 by way of the primary 5 video games and Nathaniel Lowe’s September droop prolonged into the postseason with a .182 common.
Astros: Alvarez had a monster ALDS in opposition to the Twins, going 7-for-16 with six extra-base hits, together with 4 homers and 6 RBIs.
The person who bats behind him, José Abreu, was 5-for-16 within the ALDS and had three house runs within the remaining two video games of the collection, together with two Statcast-projected 440+ foot house runs in Recreation 3. He led the best way with eight RBIs within the ALDS after main the AL with 28 RBIs after Sept. 1.
The Astros have to get Tucker (2-for-14 with six strikeouts within the ALDS) going, together with Bregman (3-for-15 within the ALDS with six strikeouts).