The Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros battled their way through the regular season and are set to face in the American League Championship Series, which begins at Minute Maid Park on Sunday.
The Rangers are in the midst of their first postseason run since the 2016 season, and the farthest they’ve gone since their back-to-back World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011. Their regular season was a sharp turnaround by going 90-72 following six-straight finishes with a sub-.500 record.
Much of the Rangers’ success has come from an influx of talent on the roster, with blue-chip prospect finds and free-agent stars. Former Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager found a home with the Rangers after signing a long-term deal following the 2021 season.
The 29-year-old posted an MVP-caliber season, and in five games this postseason, he’s batting .429/.680/.857 with three doubles, one home run, three RBI and 11 walks.
The Rangers bested the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles in five total games, sweeping both the Wild Card Series and AL Division Series. A high-powered offense with veteran starters including Jordan Montgomery, former Dodgers lefty Andrew Heaney, and possibly Max Scherzer, will be their first line of arms.
Texas rebounded from a collapse in the AL West race when they lost a stranglehold on the division to the Astros down the stretch. Manager Dusty Baker dealt with an uncertain starting rotation and some scattered injuries, but the acquisition of Justin Verlander added a stable, veteran arm to their front-end, and the Astros have again made their way to the ALCS.
The Astros are playing in their seventh consecutive ALCS and look to repeat as World Series champions. A step back in the regular season after winning 106 games on year ago, Houston still defeated the Rangers in 9-of-13 matchups in 2023.
Rangers vs. Astros
Game 1: Rangers @ Astros, Sunday, October 15, 5:15 p.m. PT
Game 2: Rangers @ Astros, Monday, October 16, 1:37 p.m. PT
Game 3: Astros @ Rangers, Wednesday, October 18, 5:03 p.m. PT
Game 4: Astros @ Rangers, Thursday, October 19, 5:03 p.m. PT
Game 5*: Astros @ Rangers, Friday, October 20, 2:07 p.m. PT
Game 6*: Rangers @ Astros, Sunday, October 22, 5:03 p.m. PT
Game 7*: Rangers @ Astros, Monday, October 23, 5:03 p.m. PT
*if necessary
How to watch and stream NLCS games
All ALCS games are being televised on either Fox or FS1, with the ability to stream the entire series on the Fox Sports app with a cable subscription. Fans are able to also watch on Fubo, which also carry both Fox and FS1.
Dodgers broadcaster Joe Davis will be on the call for Fox, with Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz alongside.
The ALCS will also be available on MLB.TV with authentication to a participating pay-TV provider.
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