FOX Sports Panel Makes ALCS Predictions For Houston Astros, Texas Rangers
With the ALCS officially underway, the star-studded panel of Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz and Derek Jeter have submitted their predictions for the best-of-seven series.
FOX Sports' studio crew was on location at Minute Maid Park for Game 1 of the ALCS between the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers on Sunday night. Host Matt Vasgersian prompted the trio of baseball legends to make their picks, and with nine World Series rings between the three of them, their opinions are bound to hold some weight.
Rodriguez led off, picking Texas to reach its first Fall Classic in over a decade.
"I'm gonna go Rangers in seven games," Rodriguez said. "But the starters have to give them length and you've gotta play ahead."
Ortiz, who is a perfect 7-0 with his picks so far this postseason, took the opposite stance.
"I gotta go Houston in six," Ortiz said. "No doubt about it."
Jeter agreed with his former New York Yankees teammate, picking the Rangers partially due to the Astros' struggles at home this year.
"I'm going Texas in seven," Jeter said. "Everybody talks about you have to play well on the road – which they do – but you have to be able to hold serve at home. Houston has struggled at home and there has never been a team that's gotten to the WorldSeries with a losing record at home. Houston's 40-43 at home."
Rodriguez chimed in again after Jeter's explanation, mentioning how important retaining homefield would be for the Astros with Max Scherzer likely to start Game 3 for the Rangers back in Texas.
The Astros and Rangers ended the regular season with identical 90-72 records, but Houston won the season series 9-4.
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