What to Expect from the Rangers-Astros ALCS Series

It’s all about Texas in this year’s ALCS. The Rangers enter this series with a perfect 5-0 record, but they’ll face a tough challenge against the Astros, who have a historic track record of success in the playoffs.

ARLINGTON, Texas – Soon enough, the stars will take the mound again in the American League Championship Series. But it might have been won Thursday night, when the mound protagonists were not future Hall of Famers like Justin Verlander or Max Scherzer, or proven postseason studs like Framber Valdez or Nathan Eovaldi, but rather a full-staff free-for-all where survival, not dominance, was the watchword. And nobody survives October quite like the Houston Astros.

On a night where neither starter pitched past the third inning, the Astros emerged victorious with a 10-3 win over the Texas Rangers in a game filled with back-and-forth action. The Astros’ powerful hitters drove the ball deep into the outfield, giving them a commanding lead in the series. With the score tied at 2-2, the Astros now have the advantage of playing two out of the remaining three scheduled games at their home ballpark.

One of the standout moments of the game came when Jose Abreu hit a three-run home run, further solidifying the Astros’ lead. While the Rangers had their chances to come back, they were ultimately unable to overcome the Astros’ hitting prowess. The Astros showcased their ability to rally and put runs on the board, making it clear that they are a force to be reckoned with in this series.

As the series continues, all eyes will be on the bullpen. Both teams will rely heavily on their relievers to bring home the win. The Astros’ bullpen has the advantage of having their top relievers well-rested, thanks to a sizeable lead in Game 4. On the other hand, the Rangers will need their bullpen to step up and shut down the Astros’ powerful lineup if they hope to regain control of the series.

The next game, Game 5, is set to take place on Friday afternoon. The outcome of this crucial game could determine the direction of the rest of the series. With both teams eager to secure a victory, fans can expect an intense and competitive matchup.

So far, this ALCS series has been filled with surprises and excitement, and there’s no doubt that more thrilling moments lie ahead. Stay tuned!

ARLINGTON, Texas – Chas McCormick hit a pivotal two-run home run that extended the Houston Astros’ lead to 9-3 in the seventh inning of ALCS Game 4. This crucial hit not only solidified the Astros’ hold on the game, but it also has significant implications for future games, as it allows the Astros to rest their top relievers, ensuring that they’ll be fully prepared for the critical Game 5.

ARLINGTON, Texas – Cody Bradford found himself in a high-pressure situation during Game 4 of the ALCS. With the bases loaded and Yordan Alvarez at the plate, Bradford managed to limit the damage to just a sacrifice fly after an intense nine-pitch battle. However, Jose Abreu quickly shifted the momentum in the Astros’ favor with a powerful three-run home run, giving them a commanding 7-3 lead.

ARLINGTON, Texas – Corey Seager delivered a clutch home run in Game 4 of the ALCS, tying the game at 3-3. Despite facing a tough pitch, Seager displayed his exceptional skills by driving the ball to the opposite field and into the Astros bullpen. With six innings remaining, the game is now evenly poised, and both teams will be looking to gain the upper hand.

ARLINGTON, Texas – The relievers will play a crucial role in deciding the outcome of Game 4. Both teams have already made an impact on the scoreboard, with the Texas Rangers closing the gap to 3-2. As the game progresses, the relievers will need to step up and deliver strong performances to secure a victory for their respective teams.

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Houston Astros continue to disrupt the Texas Rangers’ pitching plans in the postseason. After dominating their previous series, the Rangers are facing a significant challenge in Game 4 of the ALCS. With their starting pitcher Andrew Heaney knocked out of the game early, the Rangers must rely on their bullpen to stay competitive. The Astros have capitalized on their hitting power, giving themselves a crucial advantage in this series.

Thursday night’s game is scheduled to begin at 8:03 p.m. ET, airing on Fox Sports 1 or streaming through fuboTV.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Lacking his usual command on his pitches after returning from a 37-day layoff due to a shoulder strain, Max Scherzer struggled on the mound. The Astros took advantage of his performance, scoring five runs off him in just four innings. The Astros’ pitcher Cristian Javier, on the other hand, showcased his playoff expertise by holding the Rangers hitless until the fifth inning. With an 8-5 win in Game 3, the Astros have closed the gap in the series, but the question remains: What will the Rangers do in response?

Texas stormed through the AL wild-card series and Division Series and claimed the first two games of this ALCS because seasoned playoff vet Nathan Eovaldi and left-hander Jordan Montgomery were able to start five of their seven games. However, in a best-of-seven format, the Rangers must now consider their options as they face a crucial Game 4 loss. The decision to start Max Scherzer did not pay off as expected, leaving the Rangers in a challenging position.

Here are the starting lineups for Game 5:

Houston Astros
Starting pitcher: RHP José Urquidy

• Jose Altuve (R) 2B
• Mauricio Dubon (R) CF
• Alex Bregman (R) 3B
• Yordan Alvarez (L) DH
• Jose Abreu (R) 1B
• Kyle Tucker (L) RF
• Chas McCormick (R) LF
• Jeremy Pena (R) SS
• Martin Maldonado (R) C

Texas Rangers
Starting pitcher: LHP Andrew Heaney

• Marcus Semien (R) 2B
• Corey Seager (L) SS
• Evan Carter (L) LF
• Adolis Garcia (R) RF
• Mitch Garver (R) DH
• Jonah Heim (S) C
• Nathaniel Lowe (L) 1B
• Josh Jung (R) 3B
• Leody Taveras (S) CF

Reference