The stage is set, and the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros will advance to the World Series. The Texas Rangers are looking to return for the first time since 2011, while the Astros are looking to make their fifth World Series in the last seven seasons.
Texas Rangers (90-72) vs. Houston Astros (90-72)
The Rangers and Astros faced off 13 times this season, and the Astros won the season series, winning nine games and outscoring the Rangers 93-74.
How’d they get here?
Texas Rangers:
Texas got into the postseason as the fifth seed and took on the Tampa Bay Rays in the Wild Card series, and they swept the Rays, outscoring them 11-1. In the ALDS, they took on the first seed Baltimore Orioles, swept them, and outscored them 21-11.
Houston Astros:
Houston won the American League West on the last day due to the Rangers’ loss and them beating the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Astros had a bye in the Wild Card round and then took on the Minnesota Twins in the ALDS. The Astros took three of four from the Twins and outscored them 20-13.
Players To Watch
Texas Rangers: Shortstop – Corey Seager
So far this postseason, Seager has gone 6-14 with three doubles, a home run, three RBI, and six runs scored. During the regular season, he posted a slash line of .327/.390/.623 with a 1.013 OPS; he scored 42 doubles, 33 home runs, 96 RBI, 88 runs, two stolen bases, and 49 walks. The Rangers will need regular season Seagar if they want to return to the World Series for the first time since 2011.
Houston Astros: Designated Hitter – Yordan Alvarez
Alvarez has been a force this postseason; in four games against the Twins, he went 7-16 with four home runs and six RBI; he had a slash line of .438/.471/1.313 with a 1.783 OPS. Alvarez is a bat you want to avoid in the Astros lineup and could lead them to their fifth World Series appearance in the last seven seasons.
Schedule:
Game 1: Sunday – October 15 – 8:15 PM EST – FOX
Game 2: Monday – October 16 – 4:37 PM EST – FOX
Game 3: Wednesday – October 18 – 8:03 PM EST – FS1
Game 4: Thursday – October 19 – 8:03 PM EST – FS1
Game 5: Friday – October 20 – 5:07 PM EST– FS1 (If Necessary)
Game 6: Sunday – October 22 – 8:03 PM EST – FS1 (If Necessary)
Game 6: Monday – October 23 – 8:03 PM EST – FOX (If Necessary)
