The Texas Rangers are going to the ALCS for the first time since 2011 after completing the sweep of the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night at Globe Life Field. Texas got off to a fast start in this one, scoring six runs in the first two innings en route to a 7-1 win.
Here are some takeaways from the game:
POWER RANGERS
The Rangers' offense punished Orioles' pitching in Game 3 by blasting three home runs. None bigger than Adolis Garcia's three-run bomb in the second inning to give the Rangers a 6-0 lead.
Corey Seager and Nathaniel Lowe each hit solo shots, their first home runs of the postseason.
NASTY NATE SHINES AGAIN
Nathan Eovaldi's nastiness was on full display Tuesday night. The right-hander allowed one run on five hits in seven innings of work. He struck out seven and walked none.
According to Rangers broadcaster C.J. Nitkowski, Eovaldi threw the highest percentage of strikes (77.6%) in a postseason game since Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte threw 80% strikes against the Diamondbacks in the 2000 World Series (min. 5 IP).
In two starts this postseason, Eovaldi has pitched allowed two runs on 11 hits in 13.2 innings. He's struck out 15 and walked none.
Eovaldi's career-postseason ERA in 56.2 innings: 2.70.
COREY SEAGER JOINS ELITE COMPANY
Rangers shortstop Corey Seager reached base safely at least three times in five consecutive postseason games. That ties him with David Ortiz (2013), Barry Bonds (2002) and Edgar Martinez (1995) for the longest streak in a single postseason in MLB history.
WAITING FOR AN OPPONENT
The Rangers will meet the winner of the Astros-Twins series in the ALCS. Houston leads the series 2-1 and will face Minnesota in Game 4 on Wednesday afternoon in Minneapolis.
Game 1 of the ALCS is set for Sunday, Oct. 15.