During this 2023 MLB postseason, the Texas Rangers have defied all the odds. First, they swept the Tampa Bay Rays through two games in the Wild Card Series. Now, Texas just swept the Baltimore Orioles, the top-seed in the American League. The Rangers were able to take the first two games on the road, then finally went back home for game three, cruising in a dominant 7-1 victory. This is the first time the Texas Rangers have advanced to the ALCS since 2011.
We’ll have to wait and find out who the Rangers’ next opponent will be, whether it will be the Houston Astros or the Minnesota Twins. Throughout this year’s playoffs, we see that even if you have a bye as a top-two team in the division, it does not matter. Baltimore had one hell of a season, but this has to be a low blow not to get a single win as the top team in the AL.
Rangers Crush O’s in Game Three Victory
Texas started this game out with a statement to prove. In the bottom of the first, Rangers shortstop Corey Seager blasted a solo shot to right field. In the following inning, Rangers designated hitter Mitch Garver knocked a two-run double, extending Texas’ lead. During the same inning, Rangers right fielder Adolis García smacked a three-run home run to left field, making it a 6-0 ballgame in just the first two innings. Baltimore would finally get on the board in the top of the fifth inning. O’s infielder Gunnar Henderson hit an RBI single into right field. The final run of this ballgame came at the bottom of the sixth inning. Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe clapped a solo home run to right-center field to make it a 7-1 lead and eventually the ballgame.
Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi was clutch in his game three performance. Eovaldi pitched seven innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out seven Orioles. Texas fought this Orioles team off during this ALDS matchup with a passion. The Rangers slid by in game one, winning by just a run. In game two, the Rangers held a considerable lead early on, and even with the Orioles rallying back, Texas still found a way to win. By the time game three came around, this Rangers squad looked ready and prepared for basically anything thrown at them. The Rangers have captivated the moment and will look to extend this momentum as much as possible.
Texas’ ALDS MVP
Many of the Rangers starting lineup guys were explosive in their three-game sweep over the O’s. One guy has been instrumental to Texas during the ALDS. That player is designated hitter Mitch Garver. Mitch did not play in game one but was monumental to the team during games two and three. Garver went four for ten in this series. He collected seven runs batted in from games two and three. Four runs batted in were from Mitch blasting a grand slam in game two off Jacob Webb. Adolis García had the second most runs batted in for the Rangers this series with four. Texas will not get a few days of rest before the other ALDS matchup determines a winner. The big question is, will this affect the Rangers’ momentum going into the ALCS?
Main Photo Credits: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports
