The stage is set for what should be an epic showdown in the American League Division Series as the Texas Rangers gear up to take on the Baltimore Orioles.
This thrilling matchup comes on the heels of the Rangers convincing two-game Wild Card sweep over the Tampa Bay Rays.
In a dominant display, the Rangers outscored the Rays 11-1 in the two matchups, earning their ticket to the ALDS.
However, their reward is a daunting challenge in the form of the Baltimore Orioles, who finished the regular season as the American League’s best team with a remarkable 101 wins. Only the Atlanta Braves, with 104 wins, boasted more regular-season success.
The regular-season series between the Rangers and Orioles ended in a 3-3 split, setting the stage for a relatively evenly-matched ALDS.
The Rangers bring a formidable offense to the table, having led the American League in various categories, including runs scored (881), batting average (.263), on-base percentage (.337), slugging percentage (.452), and tying for first in home runs (233).
Orioles’ game times in ALDS vs. Rangers:
Game 1, Saturday: 1:03 pm EST
Game 2, Sunday: 4:07 pm EST
Game 3, Tuesday: 8:03 pm ESTGames 1 and 2 at Camden Yards. Game 3 in Arlington. MLB did not announce start times for the if-necessary Games 4 and 5.
— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) October 5, 2023
Corey Seager, who batted an impressive .327 with 33 home runs and 96 RBI in just 119 games, along with Marcus Semien, who contributed a .276 batting average, 29 homers, and 100 RBI, headline the Rangers’ potent lineup.
With seven players hitting 17 or more home runs, the Rangers are a force to be reckoned with. Notably, the team boasts a 52-31 record when both Corey and Josh Jung are in the lineup, and both are healthy and ready for the ALDS.
However, the Rangers face a challenge in their pitching rotation, with Jacob deGrom out for the season and Max Scherzer and Jon Gray on the injured list, making them unavailable for the ALDS.
While starters Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi showed promise by allowing only one run in 13.2 innings against the Rays, concerns loom, especially when it comes to their bullpen, which struggled with a disappointing 47.6 percent success rate in save opportunities during the regular season.
On the other side of the diamond, the Orioles have home-field advantage and boast a strong pitching staff that ranked fifth in the American League with a combined ERA of 3.89 and a WHIP of 1.24 during the regular season.
The Orioles exhibit a well-rounded game, excelling in defense, baserunning, power hitting, and featuring a solid rotation and bullpen.
While some concerns linger about the ninth inning following closer Félix Bautista’s Tommy John surgery, a matchup-dependent platoon has successfully handled save opportunities.
Since Bautista’s injury in August, the Orioles bullpen has held its own with a 3.54 ERA, led by the impressive right-handed pitcher Yennier Cano.
The Orioles young and talented core seems to be ahead of schedule, but they will be looking to carry their regular-season success into the playoffs.
The Rangers, with their formidable hitting lineup, promise to make this ALDS a potential classic.
What is your prediction for the series???
A lot of people: Rays and Orioles is going to be a amazing ALDS matchup
The Rangers: pic.twitter.com/LiZkh0ycv3
— 𝙆𝙣𝘽 (@kazknowsball) October 4, 2023