Bochy genius? Rangers luck? Whatever it is, it’s working against the Astros

HOUSTON – It seems like the Rangers’ luck is on their side this year. Even after a questionable decision to bench Evan Carter, who had been performing exceptionally, Robbie Grossman stepped up to the plate and managed to score a run. Is this a result of Bruce Bochy’s genius or just sheer luck? Perhaps it’s a combination of both.

Regardless, the Rangers are riding a seven-game winning streak and have a two-game lead over the defending champions as they head back to Globe Life Field. History shows that teams with a 2-0 lead in a league championship series usually make it to the World Series, and those who start a seven-game series 2-0 have an impressive track record of winning.

Nathan Eovaldi believes that the momentum is in the Rangers’ favor, and with two more wins, Bruce Bochy could make history by winning a league championship with his third team.

The Rangers’ success in the playoffs so far has been astonishing. Starting with seven consecutive road wins, they have defied expectations and made their mark in MLB history. The team has played only one playoff game at Globe Life Field but has managed to win two series and is halfway to claiming another.

Marcus Semien acknowledges that the Astros have been strong at home, but he remains optimistic about the Rangers’ chances. The regular season results seem irrelevant now, as the Rangers continue to surprise everyone.

The game against Framber Valdez started off in the Rangers’ favor with a 4-0 lead in the first inning. Valdez, who had a strong performance last year, struggled in the playoffs this year. The Rangers knocked him out early, adding to the personal rivalry between the two teams.

The Astros had their fair share of opportunities but failed to capitalize. A key moment came when the bases were loaded in the fifth inning, and Eovaldi managed to strike out two batters before getting a groundout. Dusty Baker described it as a “matter of bad occurrences,” but it could also be attributed to Bochy’s luck.

Despite the Astros hitting three home runs, the Rangers still came out on top. Aroldis Chapman’s strong performance and Jose Leclerc’s shaky pitching didn’t stop the Rangers from securing the win.

The Astros will surely regret missed opportunities in this series, including failing to score with the bases loaded and no outs in a one-run loss. As the series progresses, Bochy will need to rely on his genius or luck to lead the Rangers to victory. Game 3 will be a test as Max Scherzer returns to the mound earlier than expected. If he can’t last long, Bochy may have to exhaust his bullpen for Game 4.

With Bochy’s undefeated record in league championship series, it’s difficult to bet against him. Whether it’s luck or genius, the Rangers are in good hands.

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