The Houston Astros will face off against the Texas Rangers in the American League Championship Series with a trip to the World Series on the line. The Astros have had a lot of success against their rivals in recent years, but could that change here?
As celebrations surrounding the Houston Astros reaching their seventh consecutive American League Championship Series subside, attention will now be squarely on preparing for their division rivals.
On paper, the Astros have a major advantage over the Texas Rangers.
Houston was 9-4 in the regular season series this year, including a 6-1 record away from home.
The Astros have dominated this matchup during the 2020s, holding an incredible 42-19 record against the Rangers.
They swept Texas on the road in early September, scoring 13, 14 and 12 runs respectively in those three games.
So, Houston should have no problem dispatching their intrastate rivals on their way to a third consecutive World Series appearance, right?
Don't be so sure about that.
The Rangers are a completely different team right now than who they were in the majority of those matchup in the regular season.
During the sweep, Texas' star rookie Josh Jung was still on the injured list. Their other star rookie Evan Carter hadn't been called up to the MLB roster yet.
The offense was slumping and the pitching staff was injured.
That's not the case heading into the ALCS.
Jung is hitting .400/.409/.800 with one home run and three RBI in five games. Carter has a slash line of .429/.619/.857 with one homer and three RBI.
These rookies have added pop and more dangerous bats into a lineup that scored the third most runs in the regular season.
Rangers' ace Nathan Eovaldi is back healthy and performing.
He has a 2-0 record with an ERA of 1.32 with 15 strikeouts across 13 2/3 innings pitched in the playoffs.
Eovaldi and Jordan Montgomery are a potent 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation.
Plus, there's a chance star pitcher Max Scherzer returns to this series as well.
So, despite the past success that the Astros have had against their division rivals, this matchup presents a completely different challenge.