There are already only three series left between now and the end of the MLB season, the two championship series and the World Series.
And as for the American League Championship Series, we risk being treated to quite a spectacle, since the great rivals of the same division and the same American state, the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers, will cross swords.
On the one hand, the Rangers have yet to lose in this year’s fall dance, having swept the Tampa Bay Rays in the curtain-raiser and then the Baltimore Orioles in the Division Series.
On the other hand, the Astros benefited from a first-round bye, courtesy of a late-season collapse by the Rangers, before taking on the Minnesota Twins in four games this week.
As surprising as it may seem, this will be the first duel between the two teams in the playoffs.
Starting pitchers
The big question when it comes to starting pitchers is whether Max Scherzer will be able to make the Rangers’ rotation or if his injury will continue to keep him out of the game. If so, a matchup against Justin Verlander could turn out to be a classic.
Speaking of Verlander, he will be accompanied by Framber Valdez and Cristian Javier to face Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi, he who has regained his former speed. Jon Gray could also return to the rotation for the Rangers.
Whether in the regular season or postseason, Texas’ starting corps, if healthy, is superior to Houston’s, with Texas pitchers having a collective earned run average that is a full point lower than Astros arms during the 2023 fall dance.
Relievers
The Rangers’ relief bullpen has often been singled out during this campaign, but we have to admit that since the start of the playoffs, it has been getting the job done.
Indeed, José Leclerc, Aroldis Chapman, Josh Sborz and Cody Bradford have only allowed one small point in thirteen and two-thirds innings of work so far. We can’t ask for more from them.
On paper, these arms are certainly not as formidable as those of Bryan Abreu, Ryan Pressly and Hector Neris, but if they continue to perform at this level, there will be no difference, as far as reputation is concerned. only results.
Hitters
Offensively, it’s hard to find a better offense than the Rangers. Led masterfully by Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, the Texas hitters are scary and there is no real downtime from row one to nine in the offensive role.
On the Astros side, we cannot ignore the presence of Yordan Alvarez in the lineup, he becomes a monster when he steps up to the plate. Even if we are still far from the powerful attack that Houston has accustomed us to sending to the plate in the past, Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and company continue to be constant threats.
Defensive
On the other side of the ball, we must give a definite advantage to the Rangers, who have no holes on the field, each position doing an excellent job defensively, with Semien as a magician on the second cushion
The Astros, on the other hand, are neither great nor mediocre. If we don’t have too many problems in the outfield, it’s a little more difficult in the infield, especially when it comes to talking about Altuve at second base.
Managers
We will be treated to a clash between the two oldest managers in all of MLB, Dusty Baker and Bruce Bochy. This risks giving rise to a whole game of chess between the old hands, those who know how to manage a baseball match, unlike some others.
Both protagonists have won, with Baker finally realizing his dream last year, and know what to do to get the most out of their respective rosters.
Imponderables
The experience of the Astros, who are participating in a seventh consecutive Championship Series, will certainly be a factor in this duel.
Houston dominated the Rangers during the regular season, but the Astros did not face this version of the Texan team which no longer has any complexes and which hits like a machine.
Home-court advantage may not be as great as usual, with both teams easily able to win their share of road games and both crowds not being that intimidating. Nothing to do with Philadelphia.
This series is likely to be played in the relief pen. At first glance, we would have to favor the Astros in this area, but as mentioned above, the Rangers relievers have done an excellent job so far.
