Astros-Rangers Rivalry About to Get Even More Intense
The Houston Astros won the battle last year, but the Texas Rangers won the war.
The Astros edged out the Rangers for first place in the AL West, passing them on the final day of the regular season. Texas got the last laugh, however, taking down Houston during the seven-game ALCS, en route to their first World Series title.
After an offseason to reload and recover, the two sides are ready to pick up where they left off and do battle again in 2024.
Given how last season ended, Astros outfielder Chas McCormick expects the rivalry to be even more intense this season.
In an interview with FOX's Will Kunkel, McCormick reflected on the state of the rivalry heading into 2024.
"Man, it was intense last year," McCormick said. "It felt like we were playing the Rangers on and on. But they were great games, we played some great game with them...It was intense, but it's just gonna be even more intense this year."
Both teams finished with 90 wins last season, proving to be evenly matched on the field. Houston dominated the season series 9-4, but Texas turned the tables in October, winning the first-ever postseason series between the two intrastate rivals.
The Rangers went on to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Fall Classic, solidifying their status as the best team in baseball last year.
The Astros will look to dethrone them this season, however, especially after adding Josh Hader and extending Jose Altuve over the winter.
This could be Alex Bregman's final season with Houston as well, so the franchise will look to make its seventh straight ALCS appearance and win its third World Series title this fall.
If the Astros want to get back on top, however, they'll likely need to go through the defending champs first.
