The American League will pass through Texas. After a grueling regular season and a grueling postseason, the AL’s two remaining teams — the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers — hail from the Lone Star State.
They have reached this point of the season in vastly different ways. The Rangers are back on top this year after flexing their financial muscles. Marcus Semien and Corey Seager were brought in in blockbuster deals before the 2022 season. That didn’t stop the team from acquiring Max Scherzer and his big 2024 salary at the trade deadline.
The Astros are also spending money, but the team has mostly been a consistent contender thanks to its homegrown core. Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve, Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez find themselves excelling once again in the postseason.
The Astros pitching staff has been in this situation lately, but the Rangers’ rookie pitching staff should not sleep. Jordan Montgomery will take the mound for the Texans on Sunday, while Justin Verlander gets the call up for Houston in what should be an excellent start to a great series.
Follow along as Yahoo Sports provides the latest news, scores and highlights as the Astros and Rangers kick off the ALCS with Game 1 on Sunday.
Live updates
-
CLeody Taveras absolutely crushed this. The Rangers’ No. 9 hitter smoked a 1-2 slider from Justin Verlander into the right field stands for a solo home run. 2-0 Rangers in fifth place.
-
C
More high-pressing performances from Jordan Montgomery. The Astros loaded the bases with three straight hits. The third, a laser to left field from Jeremy Peña, failed to score Chase McCormick after holding McCormick at third base.
Montgomery then struck out Martin Maldonado on four pitches, the fourth being a swinging strike on a fastball high in the zone. 1-0 Rangers after four innings.
-
C
Another 1-2-3 run from Justin Verlander. It’s still 1-0 to Rangers.
-
C
Powerful kick from Jordan Montgomery.
The Astros threatened with two on ALCS MVP Yordan Álvarez at the plate. Montgomery and Alvarez battled to a full count with seven pitches. Montgomery then exited the inning with a big, swinging third strike on a curveball that dropped well below the strike zone. Brave pitch and his second strike for Alvarez. 1-0, Rangers after 3.
-
C
Justin Verlander settled for third. The 1-2-3 half faces the 2-3-4 points in the Rangers lineup. It’s still 1-0 to Rangers.
-
C
Jose Abreu connected with a single, but Jordan Montgomery got three straight runs to end the inning. Rangers, 1-0 after 2. Justin Verlander faces Rangers center back in the third after a shaky start.
-
C
The Rangers loaded the bases after plating the run. Justin Verlander caused a pop-up from Marcus Semien to limit the damage. 1-0 Rangers amid a shaky start from Verlander.
-
C
Texas is on the board in the second. Evan Carter reached on a single from Justin Verlander, then Jonah Heim grounded him with a single to right field. 1-0 Rangers.
-
C
Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman with a couple of high fives to the warning track. The strike of Yordan Alvarez and Jordan Montuguerre leaves the former unscathed. 0-0 after 1.
-
Mitch Garver grounded into a double play to end the inning. Verlander faces the minimum.
“Food ninja. Friendly thinker. Explorer. Entrepreneur. Zombie junkie.