By easily winning Game 7 of the Lone Star themed 2023 American League Championship Series (ALCS) by a score of 11-4, the Texas Rangers unseated the Houston Astros as World Series champions and now have a chance of capturing their first-ever Fall Classic victory in franchise history.
"Postseason celebrations are bigger in Texas," Major League Baseball (MLB) Network said in an Oct. 23 Facebook post.
Taking Games 1 and 2 of the ALCS on the road, Texas soon found itself at the Astros' mercy after dropping Games 3, 4, and 5 at Globe Life Field. The same blistering offense that sustained the Rangers all season and postseason that was on display in Games 1 and 2 made a much-needed appearance the previous two nights, and according to a report from MLB, it seemingly helped Texas that Houston had a dismal record at Minute Maid Park in the year after their 2022 triumph.
After Jose Altuve silenced a raucous Rangers crowd at Globe Life Field with a three-shot missile to help the Astros take Game 5 and the ALCS lead, Texas went on a tear to outscore Houston, 20-6, in their final two matchups, per MLB. For his heroic efforts at bat, outfielder Adolis Garcia, who has been a thorn on the Astros' side, was bestowed ALCS Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors. The report additionally said that the Rangers joined the 2019 Washington Nationals as the lone two franchises to deny the Astros home wins during a postseason round.
Texas now awaits the winner of the 2023 National League Championship Series (NLCS) between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Both teams will settle who lays claim to the NL pennant in Game 7 on Oct. 24.