Astros lose World Series bid with ALCS Game 7 loss to Rangers

It was over from the start.

Driving the news: The Astros lost Game 7 of the American League Championship Series to the Texas Rangers 11-4 on Monday night, a disappointing end to the team's division-clinching season.

How it happened: The Rangers started off scoring three runs in the first inning and never looked back.

• The Astros responded with a one-run first but couldn't keep up with the Rangers' offense through the rest of the game.
• Houston's bats just couldn't wake up.

What they're saying: "It feels bad," second baseman José Altuve told reporters in the clubhouse. "They played better than us. … That's baseball."

The intrigue: It was a series for the road team. Each of the Rangers' wins happened inside Minute Maid Park, where the Astros had home field advantage for the series.

• It's a fitting end to the season, where the Astros lost more games at home than they did at other ballparks.
• The 'Stros went 40-47 at home and 56-30 on the road this year, including the postseason.

💭 Jay's thought bubble: When the Astros seem down and out, I tell myself, "There's plenty of baseball left." That always brings me solace — until there isn't anymore.

• Game 7 of the ALCS was a sore look at the Astros' offense at their home ballpark, with their fatigue on full display.

The future of the team's makeup is up in the air.

• Manager Dusty Baker's contract is up after this season. The 74-year-old Baker allegedly told multiple people that 2023 was going to be his last season as manager, per The Athletic.
• Plus, catcher Martín Maldonado and pitchers Ryne Stanek, Phil Maton and Hector Neris are up as free agents.

The bottom line: We're counting down the days until Spring Training.