2023 American League Championship Series

Baseball championship series

2023 American League Championship Series

|  Team (Wins)|  Manager(s)|  Season

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Texas Rangers (4)|  Bruce Bochy|  90–72 (.556), GB: 0
Houston Astros (3)|  Dusty Baker|  90–72 (.556), GA: 0
Dates| October 15–23
MVP| Adolis García (Texas)
Umpires| Jordan Baker, Dan Bellino, Doug Eddings, James Hoye (crew chief), Marvin Hudson, Mark Ripperger, Stu Scheurwater
Broadcast
Television| Fox (Games 1–2, 7)
FS1 (Games 2–7)
TV announcers| Joe Davis, John Smoltz, Ken Rosenthal, and Tom Verducci
Radio| ESPN
Radio announcers| Karl Ravech, Eduardo Pérez, and Tim Kurkjian
ALDS|

* Texas Rangers over Baltimore Orioles (3–0)
* Houston Astros over Minnesota Twins (3–1)

| ← 2022 | ALCS | 2024 →

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The 2023 American League Championship Series was a best-of-seven playoff in Major League Baseball's 2023 postseason between the second-seeded Houston Astros and the fifth-seeded Texas Rangers for the American League (AL) pennant and the right to play in the 2023 World Series. The Rangers won the series four games to three. The visiting team won every game in the seven-game series, making this the second such occurrence in North American professional sports after the 2019 World Series (which, coincidentally, the Astros also lost).[1]

The series began on October 15 and Game 7 was played on October 23. Fox and FS1 televised all games in the United States.[2][3] It was the first-ever postseason meeting between the intra-state rivals, and the first LCS for either league to be played entirely within one state (apart from the neutral-site matchups of the 2020 postseason, which were necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic).

Following the eliminations of division winners Baltimore Orioles (AL East), Minnesota Twins (AL Central), Los Angeles Dodgers (NL West), and Atlanta Braves (NL East) in the Division Series, and Milwaukee Brewers (NL Central) in the Wild Card Series, the Astros (AL West) were the only division winner to reach the League Championship Series in the 2023 season.

The Rangers went on to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2023 World Series for their first title in franchise history.

## Background

[edit]

Further information: 2023 Major League Baseball postseason

Further information: Lone Star Series

This series is the first postseason meeting between the Astros and the Rangers, a rivalry known as the Lone Star Series, the first LCS to feature two teams from the same state, and the first ALCS not to feature a team from the AL East since 2011. This is also the first LCS matchup between two teams from the same division since 2011.[4]

Both the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers qualified for the postseason and finished the regular season 90–72, but the Astros won American League West for the third consecutive season, the sixth title in seven years, and a first-round bye as the second seed, all on the final day of the season by winning the head-to-head tiebreaker 9–4.[5] The Rangers entered as the fifth seed wild card entrant as second place in the American League West division despite leading the division most of the season.[6]

During the regular season, the Astros won nine of 13 head-to-head meetings with the Rangers and out-scored them 93–74 in those contests. Despite the Astros getting the upper hand on their rivals, the Rangers had the superior run differential (plus-165 to Houston's plus-129).[7] The Rangers had a Pythagorean win-loss record of 96–66 compared to Houston's 93–69. Texas record was four games worse than their actual record mostly due to a faulty bullpen that did not come around until the postseason. With a 14-22 record in games decided by one run, only the Chicago White Sox were worse than Texas in the American League in such games.[8]

For the Rangers, they swept the Tampa Bay Rays in the Wild Card Series; and in the Division Series,[9] they swept the American League East division winner Baltimore Orioles to reach the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2011.[10][11][12] The Houston Astros, meanwhile, defeated the American League Central division winner Minnesota Twins in four games in the Division Series for their seventh consecutive appearance in the ALCS, an American League record.[13]

In addition, the mayors of Houston and Arlington made a friendly wager that whichever mayor’s team lost the series would have to wear a jersey from the winning team to a city council meeting.[14]

## Summary

[edit]

### Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros

[edit]

Texas won the series, 4–3.

Game | Date | Score | Location | Time | Attendance

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1 | October 15 | Texas Rangers – 2, Houston Astros – 0 | Minute Maid Park | 2:49 | 42,872[15]
2 | October 16 | Texas Rangers – 5, Houston Astros – 4 | Minute Maid Park | 3:01 | 42,879[16]
3 | October 18 | Houston Astros – 8, Texas Rangers – 5 | Globe Life Field | 3:05 | 42,368[17]
4 | October 19 | Houston Astros – 10, Texas Rangers – 3 | Globe Life Field | 3:14 | 42,060[18]
5 | October 20 | Houston Astros – 5, Texas Rangers – 4 | Globe Life Field | 3:14 | 41,519[19]
6 | October 22 | Texas Rangers – 9, Houston Astros – 2 | Minute Maid Park | 3:07 | 42,368[20]
7 | October 23 | Texas Rangers – 11, Houston Astros – 4 | Minute Maid Park | 3:20 | 42,814[21]

## Game summaries

[edit]

This was the first postseason meeting between Texas and Houston.

### Game 1

[edit]

October 15, 2023 7:16 pm (CDT) at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas 73 °F (23 °C), Roof Closed Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E

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Texas | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0
Houston | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0
WP: Jordan Montgomery (1–0)   LP: Justin Verlander (0–1)   Sv: José Leclerc (1)
Home runs:
TEX: Leody Taveras (1)
HOU: None
Attendance: 42,872
Boxscore

Game 1 was a pitching duel between Houston ace Justin Verlander and Texas' Jordan Montgomery. Jonah Heim's single opened up the scoring as he plated Evan Carter to give the Rangers a 1–0 lead against Astros starter, Justin Verlander. After walking Leody Taveras, Verlander escaped the bases-loaded jam when Marcus Semien popped out. In the fourth, Montgomery struck out Martin Maldonado to escape a bases-loaded jam and preserve the one-run lead. In the fifth, the Rangers extended their lead to 2–0 due to a solo home run by Taveras. After Montgomery's stellar start of 61⁄3 innings, the trio of Josh Sborz, Aroldis Chapman, and José Leclerc kept the Astros off the board to take the first game of the best-of-seven series.

### Game 2

[edit]

José Leclerc recorded the save for Texas in Game 2. October 16, 2023 3:39 pm (CDT) at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas 73 °F (23 °C), Roof Closed Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E

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Texas | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 1
Houston | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 2
WP: Nathan Eovaldi (1–0)   LP: Framber Valdez (0–1)   Sv: José Leclerc (2)
Home runs:
TEX: Jonah Heim (1)
HOU: Yordan Alvarez 2 (2), Alex Bregman (1)
Attendance: 42,879
Boxscore

Game 2 had starters Nathan Eovaldi on the bump for the Rangers and Framber Valdez for the Astros. On the first two pitches of the game, Valdez gave up singles to Marcus Semien and Corey Seager. Robbie Grossman then reached base on a throwing error from Valdez, scoring Semien. Adolis García, Mitch Garver, and Nathaniel Lowe all hit run-scoring singles in the inning, bringing the score to 4–0. Yordan Alvarez hit a solo home run in the second to put Houston on the board. In the third, Jonah Heim added to the Rangers lead with a solo homer of his own. Alex Bregman homered off the left field foul pole in the fourth to cut the Rangers lead to three. In the bottom of the fifth, the Astros loaded the bases with no outs off two singles and a Josh Jung fielding error that allowed Jeremy Peña to reach base. However, Eovaldi retired the next three batters to get out of the jam. With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Michael Brantley doubled in Alvarez to bring Houston within two runs. Eovaldi was able to limit the damage by striking out Chas McCormick. Josh Sborz replaced Eovaldi in the top of the seventh and retired the side. In the eighth, Alvarez hit his second home run of the day off Aroldis Chapman, cutting the Rangers lead to one and taking Chapman out of the game. Chapman's replacement, closer José Leclerc, walked the next two batters but retired McCormick for the third out. The Rangers did not score in the ninth and Leclerc retired the side to close out the victory for the Rangers and give them a 2–0 lead as the series shifted to Globe Life Field.

### Game 3

[edit]

October 18, 2023 7:03 pm (CDT) at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas 74 °F (23 °C), Roof Closed Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E

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Houston | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 12 | 0
Texas | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 0
WP: Cristian Javier (1–0)   LP: Max Scherzer (0–1)   Sv: Ryan Pressly (1)
Home runs:
HOU: Jose Altuve (1)
TEX: Josh Jung 2 (2)
Attendance: 42,368
Boxscore

Cristian Javier was matched against Max Scherzer, with the latter making his first start since September 12 after having suffered a low-grade strain of his teres major muscle.[22] After a scoreless first, the Astros loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the second. Facing Martín Maldonado, Scherzer threw a wild pitch that scored Yordan Alvarez from third. Later, Maldonado singled to score Kyle Tucker and Mauricio Dubón, extending the Astros lead to 3–0. In the top of the third, Jose Altuve homered off Scherzer to extend the Astros lead to four. In the fourth, Dubón singled to score Jose Abreu, giving Houston a five-run lead. The Rangers got on the board on a Josh Jung two-run homer in the fifth. Rangers center fielder Leody Taveras robbed Alvarez of a home run to open the sixth inning. In the top of the seventh inning, with runners on base, Alvarez singled off Will Smith to score Maldonado and Altuve, extending the Astros lead to 7–2. In the bottom of that inning, Jung hit a two-run home run, his second of the night, to narrow the Rangers deficit to three runs. In the eighth, Jeremy Peña's run-scoring single extended the Astros lead to 8–4. In the bottom of that inning, Adolis Garcia singled off reliever Bryan Abreu to score Marcus Semien, making the Rangers trail 8–5. Ryan Pressly closed out the win in Game 3 as the Astros narrowed the series deficit to 2–1.

### Game 4

[edit]

Jose Abreu, pictured with the Chicago White Sox, hit a three-run home run for Houston in Game 4. October 19, 2023 7:03 pm (CDT) at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas 78 °F (26 °C), Clear Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E

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Houston | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 11 | 0
Texas | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 0
WP: Ryne Stanek (1–0)   LP: Dane Dunning (0–1)
Home runs:
HOU: José Abreu (1), Chas McCormick (1)
TEX: Adolis García (1), Corey Seager (1)
Attendance: 42,060
Boxscore

Game 4 marked Jose Altuve playing his 100th career postseason game, the seventh player in Major League history to do so.[23] José Urquidy was matched against Andrew Heaney, but neither would reach the fourth inning. In the top of the first inning, Alex Bregman tripled off Andrew Heaney to score Jose Altuve and Mauricio Dubón. Then, Yordan Alvarez singled in Alex Bregman, extending the Astros lead to three. Andrew Heaney was taken out for Dane Dunning after getting only two outs. With the bases loaded, Dunning struck out Martin Maldonado to escape the bases-loaded jam. In the bottom of the second inning, Adolis García homered off José Urquidy to put the Rangers on the board 3–1. Then, Mitch Garver scored on a sacrifice fly by Josh Jung to cut the Rangers deficit to 3–2. In the bottom of the third inning, Corey Seager hit a solo home run to tie the game 3–3. In the fourth, with the bases loaded, Maldonado scored on a sacrifice fly by Alvarez to put the Astros back in the lead at 4–3. The next batter was José Abreu, who hit a three-run home run to extend the Astros lead to 7–3. In the top of the seventh inning, Chas McCormick hit a two-run home run to extend the Astros lead to 9–3. In the eighth, Alvarez singled in Altuve to extend the Astros lead to 10–3. Rafael Montero closed out the ninth inning without allowing a run to tie the series at two games apiece.

After the game, Ryne Stanek was the winning pitcher of the game throwing just one pitch as a reliever for Urquidy in the bottom of the third that grounded into double play by Mitch Garver.[24]

### Game 5

[edit]

Down 4-2 in the top of the ninth in Game 5, Jose Altuve hit a three-run home run to give Houston the lead. October 20, 2023 4:07 pm (CDT) at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas 74 °F (23 °C), Roof Closed Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E

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Houston | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 0
Texas | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 1
WP: Ryan Pressly (1–0)   LP: José Leclerc (0–1)
Home runs:
HOU: Alex Bregman (2), Jose Altuve (2)
TEX: Nathaniel Lowe (1), Adolis García (2)
Attendance: 41,519
Boxscore

Game 5 featured a pitching rematch of Game 1 between Jordan Montgomery for the Rangers and Justin Verlander for the Astros. In the top of the first inning, Alex Bregman hit a two-out home run off Montgomery to give the Astros the early 1–0 lead; for the fifth game in a row, the road team scored first in the game. In the bottom of the third inning, after walking Mitch Garver and giving up a base hit to Jonah Heim, Verlander retired Marcus Semien and Corey Seager on two pitches to preserve a one-run lead for the Astros. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Nathaniel Lowe homered off Verlander, to tie the game at one. In the top of the sixth inning, José Abreu hit an RBI single off Montgomery to score Bregman, putting the Astros back in the lead at 2–1. Later that inning, Josh Sborz escaped the one-out bases-loaded jam after Montgomery gave up a run to Bregman on Alvarez's single and walking Kyle Tucker. In the bottom of that inning, Adolis García hit a three-run home run to flip the lead to the Rangers 4–2. In the bottom of the eighth, Garcia was intentionally hit by a pitch by Bryan Abreu, which led to the benches being cleared when García started arguing with catcher Martin Maldonado. Umpire crew chief James Hoye ejected Abreu, García, and Astros manager Dusty Baker as a result. In the top of the ninth, Yainer Diaz and Jon Singleton each came on as pinch-hitters and got on base (the former on a single and the latter on a full-count walk). Jose Altuve then hit a three-run home run off José Leclerc to put the Astros back in the lead at 5–4. Ryan Pressly, who came into the game in the eighth, allowed the first two runners to get on with singles, but from there on he closed out the game for the win, giving Houston a 3–2 edge in the series as the teams head back to Houston. It is the first time since the 2019 World Series that the first five games of a series were all won by the road team.[25]

#### Adolis García hit by pitch and benches-clearing incident

[edit]

In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Rangers held a 4–2 lead with a runner Evan Carter on first base with no outs when Adolis García, following his three-run home run two innings earlier, was hit by a pitch in the left shoulder by Bryan Abreu's 98.9 mph fastball on the first pitch at-bat. This resulted in benches being cleared for an on-field delay of nearly 12 minutes when García confronted catcher Martin Maldonado in an argument while being held off by home plate umpire Marvin Hudson.[26] The benches-clearing incident led to the ejections of Abreu, García, and Astros manager Dusty Baker by umpire Hudson. Following the ejections, Astros closer Ryan Pressly took the mound to replace Abreu, and Travis Jankowski replaced García as a pinch-runner on first base. Following the game, MLB suspended Abreu for two games, which he served at the beginning of the 2024 season.[27]

### Game 6

[edit]

Jonah Heim's two-run home run in the fourth inning of Game 6 gave Texas a lead that they never gave up. October 22, 2023 7:04 pm (CDT) at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas 73 °F (23 °C), Roof Closed Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E

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Texas | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 0
Houston | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 1
WP: Nathan Eovaldi (2–0)   LP: Framber Valdez (0–2)
Home runs:
TEX: Mitch Garver (1), Jonah Heim (2), Adolis García (3)
HOU: None
Attendance: 42,368
Boxscore

Game 6 was a must-win for Texas. The game featured a pitching rematch of Game 2 between Framber Valdez for the Houston Astros and Nathan Eovaldi for the Texas Rangers. In the bottom of the first, Yordan Alvarez singled off Eovaldi to score Jose Altuve to put the Astros in the early 1–0 lead. In the top of the second, Mitch Garver homered off Valdez to tie the game at one. In the top of the fourth, Jonah Heim hit a two-run home run over the glove of Kyle Tucker to put the Rangers in the lead at 3–1. In the bottom of the sixth, Alvarez scored on a sacrifice fly by Mauricio Dubón to cut their deficit to 3–2. In the eighth, Garver doubled off Bryan Abreu to score Evan Carter, extending their lead to 4–2. In the bottom half of the eighth, José Leclerc struck out Jon Singleton to escape the bases-loaded jam and preserve the 4–2 lead for the Rangers. In the ninth, with bases loaded with no outs, Ryne Stanek hit Corey Seager with a pitch to score Josh Jung to extend the Rangers lead to 5–2. With the bases still loaded, Adolis García, who was at the center of the bases-clearing brawl two days before, stepped up to the plate. Throughout the game, García had gone 0–4 with four strikeouts. On a 1–1 pitch, García hit a grand slam to left field to give the Rangers a commanding 9–2 lead. Andrew Heaney retired the side in the bottom of the ninth to force a Game 7. It is the first time since the 2019 World Series that the first six games of a series were all won by the road team.[28][29]

### Game 7

[edit]

Adolis García hit two home runs and had five RBIs in Game 7. He was crowned ALCS MVP after the game. October 23, 2023 7:06 pm (CDT) at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas 73 °F (23 °C), Roof Closed Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E

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Texas | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 15 | 0
Houston | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 0
WP: Jordan Montgomery (2–0)   LP: Cristian Javier (1–1)
Home runs:
TEX: Corey Seager (2), Adolis García 2 (5), Nathaniel Lowe (2)
HOU: Alex Bregman (3), Jose Altuve (3)
Attendance: 42,814
Boxscore

This was the first League Championship Series to reach a winner-take-all Game 7 since the 2020 ALCS, which Houston lost to the Tampa Bay Rays after losing the first three games. This was the first Game 7 for the Rangers since the 2011 World Series. Game 7 featured a pitching rematch of Game 3 between Cristian Javier for the Astros and Max Scherzer for the Rangers. Corey Seager hit a solo home run in the first off Javier to put Texas up 1–0. After Evan Carter walked, Adolis García singled to put Texas up 2–0. Mitch Garver then singled in Garcia, giving Texas a three-run lead. After giving up another single to Jonah Heim, Javier was pulled and replaced with Phil Maton. In the home half, José Abreu singled to score Jose Altuve to narrow the lead to 3–1. In the third, Adolis García hit a solo home run near the right-field foul pole off Hunter Brown to extend the Rangers lead to 4–1. Alex Bregman hit a solo home run off Scherzer to narrow the lead to 4–2 in the bottom of the inning. The Rangers fourth inning had Evan Carter with a two-run double and García with a two-run single that gave the Rangers an 8–2 cushion. In the sixth, the Rangers added more runs when Nathaniel Lowe hit a two-run home run giving the Rangers a 10–2 lead. After Yordan Alvarez singled home Alex Bregman in the seventh to make it 10–3, García got that run back with a solo home run in the eighth, his second of the game, to give the Rangers an 11–3 lead. Finally, in the bottom of the ninth inning, Altuve hit a solo home run off José Leclerc to make it 11–4, but that was the only noise that the Astros could make. With the 11–4 victory, the Rangers won the American League pennant, advancing to their third overall World Series and first since 2011.

This was the second best-of-seven playoff series in Major League Baseball history (after the 2019 World Series) in which the visiting team won every game. The Astros were on the losing end in both series and notably, the Game 7 starting pitcher for the visiting teams on both occasions was Max Scherzer.[30]

After the game, Adolis García was named series MVP, with fifteen RBIs and seven runs, including five home runs, all of which came in the final four games of the series. His fifteen RBIs set the Major League record for most RBIs in a single series, surpassing fellow Ranger Nelson Cruz, who knocked in 13 runners in the 2011 ALCS.[31]

### Composite line score

[edit]

2023 ALCS (4–3): Texas Rangers beat Houston Astros

Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E

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Texas Rangers | 7 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 39 | 61 | 2
Houston Astros | 6 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 33 | 60 | 3
Total attendance: 296,880   Average attendance: 42,411

## Aftermath

[edit]

Dusty Baker retired shortly after the conclusion of the ALCS.

After the Astros lost the series, Houston mayor Sylvester Turner honored his wager with Arlington mayor Jim Ross and indeed wore a Rangers jersey to a city council meeting.[32]

A few days after the conclusion of the ALCS, Dusty Baker announced his retirement after 26 years as an MLB manager.[33] The previous season, at age 73, Baker became the oldest manager to win a championship in one of the four major North American sports. He was also the first MLB manager to reach the playoffs and win a division title with five different teams, having accomplished both feats with each team he managed. At the time of his retirement, Baker ranked seventh in MLB managerial wins and has the most wins among African-American managers. Baker would join the San Francisco Giants' front office as a special advisor, his third stint with the club (player in 1984, manager from 1993-2002).[34]

The Astros run of seven straight ALCS appearances would end in 2024, falling just short of the eight straight set by the 1991-1993 / 1995-1999 Braves for the consecutive LCS appearances (MLB did not have a postseason in 1994 due to the 1994-95 Major League Baseball strike). The streak of World Series Texas baseball also ended in 2024. From 2019-2023, a Fall Classic either took place in Houston (2017, 2019, 2021, and 2022) or Arlington (2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 2023).

## See also

[edit]

* 2023 National League Championship Series
* Lone Star Series

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Rangers win AL pennant: Texas, Adolis García make 2023 World Series with Game 7 blowout over Astros in ALCS". CBSSports.com. October 24, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
2. ^ "MLB announces 2023 Postseason schedule". MLB.com. August 8, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
3. ^ Gardner, Steve (August 8, 2023). "MLB unveils 2023 postseason schedule, World Series begins Oct. 27". USA Today. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
4. ^ McTaggart, Landry, Brian, Kennedi. "Rangers-Astros ALCS Game 1 FAQ, lineups (LIVE on FOX)". MLB.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
5. ^ McTaggart, Brian (October 1, 2023). "Astros seize AL West title with a win in Game 162". MLB.com. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
6. ^ Landry, Kennedi. "Rangers head to postseason as 2nd AL Wild Card team". MLB.com. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
7. ^ Perry, Dayn (October 12, 2023). "Astros vs. Rangers: ALCS schedule, dates, Game 1 prediction, pick, TV channel, odds, live stream". CBSSports.com. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
8. ^ "2023 MLB Standings and Records: Wild Card". MLB.com. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
9. ^ Goodall, Fred (October 4, 2023). "Rangers beat Rays 7-1 for Wild Card Series sweep behind Garcia and Carter home runs". AP News. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
10. ^ Landry, Kennedi (October 12, 2023). "Texas breaks out brooms, advances to ALCS for 1st time since '11". MLB.com. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
11. ^ Yomtov, Jesse (October 10, 2023). "Moving on: Behind Nathan Eovaldi gem, Rangers sweep Orioles to reach first ALCS since 2011". USA Today. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
12. ^ Axisa, Mike (October 10, 2023). "Rangers vs. Orioles score, highlights: Texas finishes off sweep, advances to ALCS for first time since 2011". CBS Sports. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
13. ^ McTaggart, Brian (October 14, 2023). "Astros seal 7th straight ALCS trip to set up big-time Texas duel". MLB.com. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
14. ^ "Astros and Rangers meet for Texas-sized showdown in AL Championship Series". NBC Sports. October 14, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
15. ^ "Rangers 2, Astros 0 Final Score". MLB.com. October 15, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
16. ^ "Rangers 5, Astros 4 Final Score". MLB.com. October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
17. ^ "Astros 8, Rangers 5 Final Score". MLB.com. October 18, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
18. ^ "Astros 10, Rangers 3 Final Score". MLB.com. October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
19. ^ "Astros 5, Rangers 4 Final Score". MLB.com. October 20, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
20. ^ "Rangers 9, Astros 2 Final Score". MLB.com. October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
21. ^ "Rangers 11, Astros 4 Final Score". MLB.com. October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
22. ^ "MLB playoffs 2023: Which version of Max Scherzer can the Texas Rangers count on going forward?". Yahoo.com.
23. ^ "Jose Altuve, in 100th playoff game, sparks Astros in Game 4 win". ESPN.com.
24. ^ Han, Nathan (October 20, 2023). "One pitch, two outs and a 'W': Stanek seizes opportunity". Retrieved December 31, 2023.
25. ^ "Rangers 5-4 Astros (Oct 16, 2023) Game Recap". ESPN. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
26. ^ Hoch, Bryan (October 20, 2023). "Benches clear after HBP follows Adolis' long HR trot". MLB.com. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
27. ^ Kreuz, Julia (October 21, 2023). "Abreu suspended, fined for throwing at García". MLB.com. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
28. ^ "Road-field advantage? Astros need ALCS Game 7 win to avoid 2019 World Series repeat". FOX Sports. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
29. ^ Rieken, Kristie (October 23, 2023). "Eovaldi remains perfect, Rangers slug their way to 9-2 win over Astros to force Game 7 in ALCS". AP News. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
30. ^ "3 key storylines for tonight's ALCS Game 7". MLB.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
31. ^ "Adolis García responds to plunking with record ALCS show as Rangers reach World Series". AP News. October 24, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
32. ^ "Astros fans pay up on bets after embarrassing ALCS loss to Rangers". Retrieved October 29, 2024.
33. ^ Nightengale, Bob. "Exclusive: Dusty Baker retires after 26 seasons as a manager". USA TODAY. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
34. ^ Postins, Matthew (February 4, 2024). "Former Astros Manager Talks New Giants Job". SI.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved August 18, 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Major League Baseball postseason schedule

Links to related articles

* v
* t
* e

2023 Major League Baseball postseason

World Series

* American League Championship Series
* National League Championship Series

* American League Division Series
* National League Division Series

* American League Wild Card Series
* National League Wild Card Series

American League teams|

* Baltimore Orioles
* Houston Astros
* Minnesota Twins
* Tampa Bay Rays
* Texas Rangers
* Toronto Blue Jays

National League teams|

* Arizona Diamondbacks
* Atlanta Braves
* Los Angeles Dodgers
* Miami Marlins
* Milwaukee Brewers
* Philadelphia Phillies

* v
* t
* e

American League Championship Series

* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979

* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999

* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019

* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

* AL pennant winners
* MVPs
* Broadcasters
* Game 7s

* v
* t
* e

MLB on Fox

Related programs|

* Baseball Night in America (2012–present)
* The Cheap Seats (2010–2011)
* Fox Saturday Baseball (1996–present)
* MLB Whiparound
* Major League Baseball Game of the Week
* Thursday Night Baseball (1997–2001, 2019–present)
* This Week in Baseball (2000–2011)
* MLB Tuesday (1997–1998)

Related articles|

* DirecTV N3D
* FoxTrax
* Scooter
* Score bug
* Television contracts
* 1990s
* 2000s
* 2010s
* 2020s
* MLB Network
* World Series television ratings

| National
coverage|

* Fox (1996–present)
* FS1 (2014–present)
* FS2 (2014–present)
* Fox Deportes (2012–present)
* Fox Family Channel (2001)
* Fox Sports Net (1997–1999)
* FX (1997)

|

Former FSN
regional coverage|

* Arizona (Arizona Diamondbacks)
* Bay Area (Oakland Athletics & San Francisco Giants; 1998–2007)
* Chicago (Chicago Cubs & Chicago White Sox, 1998–2006)
* Detroit (Detroit Tigers)
* Florida (Miami Marlins & Tampa Bay Rays)
* Houston (Houston Astros, 2009–2012)
* Kansas City (Kansas City Royals)
* Midwest (St. Louis Cardinals)
* New York (New York Mets, 1998–2005)
* North (Minnesota Twins)
* FSN Northwest (Seattle Mariners; 2004–2011)
* Ohio (Cincinnati Reds)
* Rocky Mountain (Colorado Rockies, 1997–2010)
* San Diego (San Diego Padres)
* South (Atlanta Braves)
* Southeast (Atlanta Braves)
* Southwest (Texas Rangers)
* West (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)
* Wisconsin (Milwaukee Brewers)
* Sun (Miami Marlins & Tampa Bay Rays)
* SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland Indians)
* YES Network (New York Yankees)

Fox/MyTV
O&O Stations|

* New York City: WNYW 5 (Yankees, 1999–2001), WWOR 9 (N.Y. Giants, 1951–1957; Brooklyn Dodgers, 1950–1957; Mets, 1962–1998; Yankees, 2005–2014)
* Los Angeles: KTTV 11 (Dodgers, 1958–1992), KCOP 13 (Dodgers, 2002–2005; Angels, 2006–2012)
* Chicago: WFLD 32 (White Sox, 1968–1972, 1982–1989)
* Philadelphia: WTXF 29 (Phillies, 1983–1989)
* Dallas–Fort Worth: KDFW 4 & KDFI 27 (Texas Rangers, 2001–2009)
* San Francisco–Oakland: KTVU 2 (Giants, 1961–2007; Athletics, 1973–1974), KICU 36 (Athletics, 1999–2008)
* Boston: WFXT 25 (Red Sox, 2000–2002)
* Washington, D.C.: WTTG 5 (Senators, 1948–1958), WDCA 20 (Nationals, 2005–2008)
* Houston: KRIV 26 (Astros, 1979–1982), KTXH 20 (Astros, 1983–1997, 2008–2012)
* Detroit: WJBK 2 (Tigers, 1953–1974; 2007)
* Minneapolis–Saint Paul: KMSP 9 (Twins, 1979–1988, 1998–2002), WFTC 29 (Twins, 1990–1992, 2005–2010)

TV history by decade|

* 1990s
* 2000s
* 2010s

Commentators|

* All-Star Game
* ALCS
* ALDS
* NLCS
* NLDS
* World Series
* Game of the Week
* Prime time

Lore|

| Regular season|

* 1998 Major League Baseball home run record chase
* Philip Humber's perfect game (2012)
* London Series (2019, 2023, 2024)
* MLB at Field of Dreams (2021, 2022)
* MLB at Rickwood Field (2024)
* MLB Speedway Classic (2025)
* Curse of the Bambino
* Yankees–Red Sox rivalry

|

Postseason games|

* The Flip Play (2001)
* Steve Bartman (2003)
* The 53-Minute 7th Inning (2015)
* Chicago Cubs end the Billy Goat curse (2016)
* José Bautista's bat flip

World Series games|

* The last night of the New York Yankees dynasty (2001)
* Game 6 of the 2011 World Series
* Walk-off obstruction (2013)
* Game 5 of the 2017 World Series (2017)
* Houston Astros sign stealing scandal (2017)
* Freddie Freeman's walk-off grand slam (2024)

World Series|

* 1996
* 1998
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

AL Championship Series|

* 1997
* 1999
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2009
* 2011
* 2013
* 2015
* 2017
* 2019
* 2021
* 2023

NL Championship Series|

* 1996
* 1998
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2008
* 2010
* 2012
* 2014
* 2016
* 2018
* 2020
* 2022
* 2024

AL Division Series|

* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2015
* 2017
* 2019
* 2021
* 2023

NL Division Series|

* 1996
* 1998
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2014
* 2016
* 2018
* 2020
* 2022
* 2024

All-Star Game|

* 1997
* 1999
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* ~~2020~~
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025
* 2026
* 2027

World Baseball Classic|

* 2023

* v
* t
* e

Major League Baseball on ESPN Radio

Play-by-play|

* Charley Steiner (1998–2001)
* Jon Miller (1998–2010)
* Dan Shulman (2002–2022)
* Gary Thorne (2008–2009)
* Jon Sciambi (2010–present)

Analysts|

* Kevin Kennedy (1998)
* Dave Campbell (1999–2010)
* Chris Singleton (2011–2021)
* Doug Glanville (2022–present)

Studio hosts|

* Joe D'Ambrosio (1998–2007)
* Marc Kestecher (2008–present)

AL Championship Series|

* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

NL Championship Series|

* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

AL Division Series|

* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

NL Division Series|

* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

AL Wild Card Round|

* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

NL Wild Card Round|

* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

All-Star Game|

* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* ~~2020~~
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

World Series|

* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

World Baseball Classic|

* 2017

Related programs|

* ESPN Major League Baseball
* Major League Baseball Game of the Week
* Sunday Night Baseball

Commentators|

* All-Star Game
* Wild Card Round
* ALCS
* ALDS
* NLCS
* NLDS
* World Series
* Game of the Week

Lore|

* 1998 MLB home run record chase
* Grand Slam Single (1999)
* Killing of Osama bin Laden (2011)
* Fort Bragg Game (2016)
* London Series
* MLB at Field of Dreams (2021)

| Tie-breaker games|

* 1998 NL Wild Card
* 1999 NL Wild Card
* 2007 NL Wild Card
* 2008 AL Central
* 2009 AL Central
* 2013 AL Wild Card
* 2018 NL Central
* 2018 NL West

|

Divisional Series games|

* The Flip Play (2001)
* "The Bug Game" (2007)
* Roy Halladay's postseason no-hitter (2010)
* "The Illegal Slide Game" (2015)
* "The 53-Minute 7th Inning" (2015)
* José Bautista's bat flip

League Championship Series games|

* End of the Curse of the Billy Goat (2016)

World Series games|

* The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty (2001)
* Game 6 of the 2011 World Series
* Walk-off Obstruction (2013)
* Houston Astros sign stealing scandal (2017)
* Astros' combined World Series no-hitter (2022)

Chicago Cubs|

* Steve Bartman (2003)
* Curse of the Billy Goat

Cleveland Guardians|

* The Rain Delay (2016)
* Curse of Rocky Colavito

New York Yankees|

* Final game at Yankee Stadium (2008)

Yankees–Red Sox rivalry|

* Curse of the Bambino
* 2019 MLB London Series

Related articles|

* Major League Baseball on the radio
* Home Run Derby
* MLB Little League Classic

* v
* t
* e

Houston Astros

* Established in 1962
* Formerly the Houston Colt .45s
* Based in Houston, Texas

Franchise|

* 1962 expansion
* Expansion draft
* History
* Seasons
* Records
* No-hitters
* Awards
* Players
* Managers
* Owners and executives
* First-round draft picks
* Opening Day starting pitchers
* All articles

Ballparks|

* Colt Stadium
* Houston Astrodome
* Daikin Park

Spring training:|

* Geronimo Park
* Cocoa Expo Stadium
* Osceola County Stadium
* CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches

Culture|

* AstroTurf
* Orbit
* Union Station
* Big Bamboo Lounge
* Continental League
* "Deep in the Heart of Texas"
* Houston Buffs
* Shriners College Classic
* Ball Four
* Brewster McCloud
* The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training
* Murder at the World Series
* Night Game
* "The Hot Tub" (Seinfeld episode)
* Boyhood
* Resurrection: The J.R. Richard Story
* J. Fred Duckett
* "Holy Toledo!"
* Mattress Mack
* Sunshine Kids Foundation

Lore|

* 1980 NL West tie-breaker game
* Killer B's
* Sign stealing scandal
* MLB Mexico City Series

Rivalries|

* Texas Rangers

Retired numbers|

* 5
* 7
* 24
* 25
* 32
* 33
* 34
* 40
* 42
* 49

Key personnel|

* Owner: Jim Crane
* General Manager: Dana Brown
* Manager: Joe Espada

World Series
Championships (2)|

* 2017
* 2022

League pennants (5)|

* NL:
* 2005
* AL:
* 2017
* 2019
* 2021
* 2022

Division titles (14)|

* NL West:
* 1980
* 1981
* 1986
* NL Central:
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2001
* AL West:
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Wild card titles (4)|

* NL:
* 2004
* 2005
* AL:
* 2015
* 2020

Minors|

* Triple-A:
* Sugar Land Space Cowboys
* Double-A:
* Corpus Christi Hooks
* High-A:
* Asheville Tourists
* Single-A:
* Fayetteville Woodpeckers
* Rookie:
* FCL Astros
* DSL Astros Blue
* DSL Astros Orange

Media|

Space City Home Network
Radio
Houston Astros Radio Network
Announcers
Todd Kalas
Geoff Blum

Seasons (64)

1960s|

* 1960 · 1961 ·  1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969

1970s|

* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979

1980s|

* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989

1990s|

* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999

2000s|

* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009

2010s|

* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019

2020s|

* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

* v
* t
* e

Texas Rangers

* Established in 1961
* Formerly the Washington Senators
* Based in Arlington, Texas (Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex)

Franchise|

* Expansion draft
* History (in Washington, D.C.)
* Seasons
* Team records
* No-hitters
* Awards winners and league leaders
* Broadcasters
* Owners and executives
* Managers
* Players
* First-round draft picks
* Opening Day starting pitchers

Ballparks|

* Griffith Stadium
* Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
* Arlington Stadium
* Choctaw Stadium
* Globe Life Field

Spring training|

* Pompano Beach Municipal Stadium
* Ranger Stadium
* Surprise Stadium

Culture and lore|

* Continental League
* Captain (mascot)
* Ten Cent Beer Night
* Kenny Rogers' perfect game
* Game 6 of the 2011 World Series
* 2012 AL Wild Card Game
* 2013 AL Wild Card tie-breaker
* 2015 ALDS Game 5
* José Bautista's bat flip
* State Farm College Baseball Showdown
* "Higher" (Creed song)

Rivalries|

* Houston Astros
* Los Angeles Angels

Key personnel|

* Owners: Ray Davis & Bob R. Simpson
* Executive Vice President/General Manager: Chris Young
* Manager: Bruce Bochy

Retired numbers|

* 7
* 10
* 26
* 29
* 34
* 42

World Series
Championships (1)|

* 2023

American League
championships (3)|

* 2010
* 2011
* 2023

American League
West Division titles (7)|

* 1996
* 1998
* 1999
* 2010
* 2011
* 2015
* 2016

Wild card berths (2)|

* 2012
* 2023

Media|

* Broadcasters
* Rangers Sports Network
* Victory+
* KRLD-FM (English)
* KRLD-AM (Alternate)
* KFLC (Spanish)

Seasons (65)

1960s|

* 1960 ·  1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969

1970s|

* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979

1980s|

* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989

1990s|

* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999

2000s|

* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009

2010s|

* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019

2020s|

* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Minor league affiliates|

* Triple-A: Round Rock Express
* Double-A: Frisco RoughRiders
* High-A: Hub City Spartanburgers
* Single-A: Hickory Crawdads
* Rookie:
* ACL Rangers
* DSL Rangers Blue
* DSL Rangers Red

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