HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610)- The last time the Astros saw the Rangers they were putting the finishing touches on a dominant sweep that put them on top of the AL West standings.
Over a three-day stretch in early September, the Astros outscored their northern rivals 39-10, slugging 16 home runs in the process, but that was almost six weeks ago. The Rangers team the Astros ran circles around then is far from the Rangers team they’ll face when the American League Championship Series starts Sunday.
“It's like a new whole team, playoff is different,” Astros second baseman Jose Altuve said. “Different atmosphere, and just focus on winning. The regular season is over, now we start -- everybody starts from zero.”
After a disappointing finish to the season, which cost them a division title, the Rangers swept through the first two rounds of the playoffs, dispatching the Rays in two games, and then the top-seeded Orioles in three. Texas outscored the two best teams in the American League 32-12 and trailed after just 1-of-45 innings.
“They pitch well, and they can hit,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said. “You have to try to break some of their momentum and try to keep them out of the big innings, because that's what they're very capable of, big inning even with two outs. “
The Rangers led the American League in runs scored over the course of the regular season, and that has carried over into the postseason, but the big change for Texas has been its pitching, specifically the bullpen.
Despite boasting the seventh best starter’s ERA in 2023, the Rangers finished 18th overall due to a 4.77 bullpen ERA, 24th best in baseball, but in five playoff games Texas’ relievers have compiled a 2.16 ERA. Closer Jose Leclerc has allowed one run over five innings of work, while Aroldis Chapman has held opponents scoreless for 2.2 innings.
“I don't think it's going to be an easy at-bat or easy to win a game for any of the two teams,” Altuve said. “It’s a team approach. If we get our pitches to the hit, I think it's going to be good for us.”
The Astros went 9-4 against the Rangers in 2023, and they are 79-39 against them over the last three seasons, but that’s all in the past.
“Postseason’s a clean slate,” Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña said. You start from the jump, and you gotta win ballgames.
“They have a great team. They have a great offense. We have a great team, and we’re gonna go up and battle.”