Rangers vs Astros: the series to watch tonight

The Houston Astros are hoping to win an eighth American League Western Section title in the last nine seasons, with the only hiatus coming in 2020. Since 2017, Houston has reached the playoffs every year, with four World Series appearances and two titles under their belts.

But at the moment, they no longer lead their division, with the top spot now occupied by the Seattle Mariners, who currently have a one-game lead.

Admittedly, the Astros can still win the section title, as the Mariners will be visiting Houston later this week. But for now, the goal is, at the very least, to stay in the playoff picture.

And that means taking on the Texas Rangers tonight (Monday), who also have their eyes on that last available spot in the fall dance.

This three-game series will be huge for both teams.

Houston's magic number to make the playoffs is eleven before the first game of the series. With a two-game lead over the Rangers, the Astros could just as easily find themselves one game behind in the race for second-best as with a comfortable five-game lead.

In addition to the Rangers and Mariners, the Astros will face the Sacramento A's and Los Angeles Angels between now and the end of the season. The Rangers will face the Miami Marlins, Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians, while the Mariners will face the Kansas City Royals, Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Although baseball is played on the field, Texas has a clear advantage in this respect.

So we're in for two explosive weeks between now and the end of the campaign, just before the best baseball of the year.

This content was created with the help of AI.