Rangers advance to World Series with ALCS Game 7 win over Astros
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Adolis Garcia hoists his ALCS MVP trophy like a king. Photo: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
The Houston Astros have a new daddy: Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia.
Driving the news: The Texas Rangers are going to the World Series! They beat the Astros 11-4 in Houston in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.
- It was wonderful.
What happened: Garcia had 15 runs batted in during the series against Houston, which is a new postseason record.
- He had two home runs on Monday.
Why it matters: The Rangers are one of only six MLB teams that haven't won a World Series.
Flashback: The Rangers made it to two World Series in 2010 and 2011, but lost both.
- This is the first year since 2016 that the Rangers finished the season with a winning record. They were abysmal last season. And made a lot of changes.
State of play: The Astros are the reigning World Series champions and they've been in the ALCS for seven years straight.
- The Astros finished ahead of the Rangers in the division this year.
Zoom in: The series looked bleak after Friday's heartbreaking loss in Arlington — when Astros second baseman José Altuve hit a game-winning three-run homer in the ninth inning.
- The Rangers needed to win back-to-back games in Houston to advance.
Yes, but: They did!
Between the lines: This Rangers postseason run feels like a second chance for the fans who remember David Freese's painful World Series home run in 2011.
- It's for the fans who still smile when they hear names like Kinsler and Greer and Incaviglia.
- It's for the fans who haven't given up hope, despite all the disappointments over the last decade.
Of note: Sen. Ted Cruz, an Astros fan, attended Game 7 on Monday despite allegedly being cursed.
What they're saying: "I can't say that I've ever seen a club play with more heart," Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said to the players after their win.
What's next: Game 1 of the World Series is Friday.
- The Rangers will play either the Phillies or the Diamondbacks, who will battle in their own Game 7 Tuesday.
The bottom line: Savor this moment, Rangers fans.