Major League Baseball: 2023 Season

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The Baltimore Orioles are DONE. Texas will return to the ALCS for the first time in some time to meet the Astros/Twins ALDS winner. It could be all-Texas ALCS if the Astros advance. Texas swept the O's in their ALDS series. I'm sure the Rangers want revenge over the Astros after getting smashed in their latest series. Baltimore is going to be pretty tough the next 3-5 years if they keep playing this hard.
 
Any of my series summaries could be my last series summary of the 2023 season, especially if the Astros fail to advance in the 2023 Playoffs. So anyways, here is how the Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros ALDS shaped out...

* MIN Twins at HOU Astros - American League Divisional Series (best-of-5)

[GAME 1: MIN at HOU] After Justin Verlander walked a few batters and allowed a hit in the Top of the 1st, José Altuve bombed one off of Ober to left to put Houston up 1-0 on just the first pitch. He hit his 8th first inning postseason home run- the most in MLB history. It was also the 24th postseason homer by Altuve (2nd most in MLB history). In the Bottom of the 3rd, the big man for the Astros, Yordan Alvarez, bombs a two-run jack to right to put the Astros up 3-0. José wasn't the only José doing work; José Abreu knocked in an RBI in the Bottom of the 5th to put Houston up 4-0. Chas McCormick banged in an RBI of his own to make it 5-0, but no further damage was dealt as one Astro got tagged out at 3rd base. Justin Verlander went six innings and finished strong after a slow start. Minnesota made it a game off of Hector Neris' poor pitching with a three-run blast to right in the Top of the 7th. The Astros lead got trimmed down to 5-3. Then, it became a 5-4 lead for the Astros that same inning on a solo blast to left. Minnesota woke up after falling asleep six innings. Yordan Alvarez hit one off of the right foul pole in the Bottom of the 7th to put Houston up 6-4. That's Air Yordan's second bomb of the game. Houston held on to win Game 1 by a score of 6-4. This is Houston's 10th straight Game 1 Divisional Series win in a row. Verlander got the win along with a Ryan Pressly Save. B. Ober was the losing MIN pitcher.

[GAME 2: MIN at HOU] Minnesota scored first on a deep RBI by former Astro, Carlos Correa in the Top of the 1st. The Twins went up 1-0 early. They added to their score with a two-run blast to left in the Top of the 2nd. Minnesota goes up 3-0. The seemingly vulnerable Astros are appearing vulnerable so far this game. Oh, and in case you're wondering, the roof was open for this game, unlike last night's closed roof. A bases loaded RBI by Carlos Correa brought home two Twins to make it a 5-0 Minnesota lead in the Top of the 5th. It is sad that the biggest Astros killer right now is a former Astro. The Twins have loaded the bases at least three times in this game. A bases loaded base hit gives the Twins a 6-0 lead. Six unanswered runs by Minnesota. The Astros averted the shutout with a two-run bomb by Yordan Alvarez. It is now 6-2, Twins now in the Bottom of the 8th, but it may be too little too late at this point. It was too little, too late. Now the Astros will have to try to win at Minnesota to extend their season.

[GAME 3: HOU at MIN] An RBI followed by a three-run bomb put the Houston Astros up 4-0 in the Top of the 1st. Did someone order a Breggy Bomb? It happened in the Top of the 5th to left. Astros now lead 5-0. Houston bangs in an RBI in the Top of the 6th to make it a 6-0 Astros advantage. Minnesota began their attempt to rally in the Bottom of the 6th with an RBI to cut Houston's lead to 6-1. Yordan Alvarez launched a homer to right that went up into the beautifully blue skies in Minneapolis to put Houston up 7-1 in the Top of the 9th. Jose Abreu bombs one to left, scoring two to make it 9-1. That was the final as Houston bounces back with a convincing 9-1 victory. Christian Javier is 4th all-time with at least five innings pitched allowing no earned runs in three straight starts.

[GAME 4: HOU at MIN] The team that scored first has won every game this series, will that continue? Minnesota hopes to extend that stat, especially after bombing a solo homer to left by Royce Lewis. Twins take a 1-0 lead in the Bottom of the 1st. "Uncle Mike" (Michael Brantley) went yard on a solo jack to right in the Top of the 2nd. This one's tied at 1-1 after Brantley's bomb. José Abreu launched a two-run jack to right to give the Astros the lead in the Top of the 4th. Houston leads 3-1 now. In the Bottom of the 6th, Minnesota hit a solo home run to truncate the Astros' lead to 3-2. The Astros advance to the ALCS for the seventh straight time in a tense Game 4 to win 3-2. The Minnesota Twins are DONE.

[GAME 5: MIN at HOU] ~not needed~

--- REVIEW ---
GM1 MIN at HOU: (6-4; Houston)
GM2 MIN at HOU: (6-2; Minnesota)
GM3 HOU at MIN: (9-1; Houston)
GM4 HOU at MIN: (3-2; Houston)
GM5 MIN at HOU: ~not needed~

UP NEXT: 2023 American League Championship Series! HOU vs. TEX

We are guaranteed a Texas team will be in the 2023 World Series because the Texas Rangers swept the Baltimore Orioles in their ALDS match. But which Texas team will be in the 2023 World Series- Texas or Houston? It's tough to put away the same team more than twice. Astros had the better of the Rangers during the regular season. However, what will the Playoffs say between these two rivals? This is not about the Silver Boot; this is for much more- as in the chance to become League Champions. We'll find out who advances to the World Series when the ALCS begins proper.


Congratulations to all Divisional Series winners! Up next is the Championship Series. Get psyched up for the ALCS and NLCS!
 
Diamondbacks defeat Dodgers. Dodgers DONE. The Diamondbacks swept the 100-62 Los Angeles Dodgers to advance to the NLCS. They'll get the winner of the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves (PHI currently leads their NLDS series 2-1).
 
The Atlanta Braves are DONE. Philadelphia sent the ballin' Atlanta Braves packing by taking their ALDS series 3-1. Atlanta was a great story this season finishing the regular season with the best record in baseball- 104-58. Now, the ATL won't have a chance at the World Series after the Phillies took down the big, bad Braves. The NLCS is going to be a firestorm- the Philadelphia Phillies against the Arizona Diamondbacks to determine who plays in the 2023 World Series. Winner faces the ALCS winner of the Astros and Rangers. Philadelphia wants to return to the World Series. Arizona wants to repeat their 2001 team, that won it all. The NLCS should be about as fierce as the 2023 ALCS.

All congratulations to the Atlanta Braves on a great season. Sadly, it's over for the ATL.
 
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Who would have thought neither of the best two teams in the NL would make the NLCS? Not only that, but both teams fighting it out now were wildcards!
 
I'm sorry... I forgot to hype up the Championship Series! Anyhow... we got this as our Championship Series:

ALCS: TEX Rangers vs. HOU Astros
NLCS: PHI Phillies vs. ARI Diamondbacks

I may give my final series summary of 2023 if my Astros fail to make it to the World Series. At least we know a Texas team will be in the 2023 World Series. Which, though, remains to be settled. Will the Phillies make the World Series a second-successive year, or will the dangerous Diamondbacks #EmbraceTheChaos ?


Enjoy the Championship Series!
 
We might have the 2023 World Series set after tonight.

The ALCS between the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers is going the seven-game distance with either team going to the World Series. Reminiscent of the 2019 World Series, the Away team has won every game of the 2023 ALCS. Houston is trying to defend their championship and go to their third-successive World Series. Texas is just too hot and too powerful and seemingly in line to go to their first World Series since 2011. Houston has had injuries, ineptitude on offense, and having a horrible home game record. No team with a losing home record has ever made the World Series. Something has to give in Houston tonight. And for me, I'll be done talking about my Astros this season if we get bounced. I, of course, want my Astros to win, but too many things are making me believe failure for the resilient Astros will be inevitable after all the Astros have been through in 2023. My confidence is very low.

Meanwhile in the NLCS, the Philadelphia Phillies can clinch the NLCS pennant and go to their second-straight World Series tonight. That is... if the Arizona Diamondbacks fail to force a Game 7 in Philly. These two have gone at it like the final round of a boxing match.


Plenty of drama, but we could have our 2023 World Series set tonight, especially if Philadelphia wins. Otherwise, enjoy the conclusions of both LCS'es!
 
Again- this could be my last series summary of the 2023 season, especially if the Astros fail to advance in the 2023 Playoffs. More than just a Silver Boot series, this is for the chance to represent the American League in the 2023 World Series. The two teams do not have to leave the state to settle this one. Puns aside, this is a Texas-size Texas showdown. Might as well be the Texas State Championship.

* HOU Astros vs. TEX Rangers - American League Championship Series (best-of-7)

[GAME 1: TEX at HOU] The first team to score was the Texas Rangers. An RBI brought home a Ranger to put the Texas Rangers up 1-0 in the Top of the 2nd. Leody Taveras banged a solo home run in the Top of the 5th to put Texas up 2-0. Home hasn't been sweet home for the Astros this season, and that futility is taking form tonight. Both Justin Verlander (HOU) and Jordan Montgomery (TEX) each went more than six innings pitched. The Texas Rangers start this all-Texas ALCS strong with a 2-0 victory in Game 1.

[GAME 2: TEX at HOU] After a rough ending for the Astros after Game 1, Game 2 started just as bad for Houston. An error by the Astros in the Top of the 1st led to a Ranger crossing home plate for an early 1-0 advantage. Astros seem to be unraveling as they now trail 2-0 after a base hit by Texas. Another base hit afterwards brought home another Ranger. 3-0... with NOBODY OUT in the Top of the 1st. Are you kidding me? The Top of the 1st ended up with a 4-0 lead for the Rangers- an error and 3 RBI hits by Texas. Houston finally woke the heck up as Yordan Alvarez hit a solo bomb to right in the Bottom of the 2nd. Astros now trail 4-1 as they scored their first run of the 2023 ALCS. Jonah Heim bombs a solo homer to left in the Top of the 3rd to extend the Rangers' lead to 5-1 in the Top of the 3rd. Framber Valdez only finished two innings before he was pulled. Alex Bregman bombs a Breggy Bomb to deep left to get the second Astros' run of the game. Texas' lead was truncated to 5-2 now in the Bottom of the 4th. Houston scored on an RBI double in the Bottom of the 6th to bring the Rangers' lead down to 5-3. The Astros have never led or tied at all so far in the 2023 ALCS. Yordan Alvarez have Houston a little more hope as he hit a solo homer off of Aroldis Chapman in the Bottom of the 8th. It's now 5-4, Rangers. Can the Astros finally tie or lead? Game 2 ends in a 5-4 victory for the Texas Rangers. The Astros' rally failed and are now facing a 0-2 deficit. The run may finally be over for the Astros as they can't figure out the Rangers.

[GAME 3: HOU at TEX] Houston has been better on the road than at home, and the Rangers have done very well at home. So something has to give in this one. This Wednesday of baseball started off with the Houston Astros stealing home with the bases loaded in the Top of the 2nd. It's Houston's first lead of the 2023 ALCS. Martin Maldonaldo drove in two more runs to give the Astros a 3-0 advantage. Texas is dangerous at home, so Houston knows to jump on the Rangers early. Speaking of jumping on, the "Little Giant," José Altuve bombs a solo jack to left in the Top of the 3rd to put Houston up 4-0. Altuve is now four homers away from tying Manny Ramirez for most postseason homers all-time (Altuve has 25 at present). Houston's "Honduran Hammer," Mauricio Dubon, hammered an RBI single in the Top of the 4th to put Houston up 5-0. Texas finally lit up their side of the scoreboard in the Bottom of the 5th thanks to a two-run homer to right by Josh Jung. The Astros' lead went from 5-0 to 5-2 on that Texas thunderbolt. A bases loaded RBI brought home two Astros in the Top of the 7th. Seventh inning, 7-2 Astros lead. Texas cut into that lead in the Bottom of the 7th as Josh Jung banged another two-run jack. This time, to right. Astros lead cut down to 7-4 now. Astros respond proper in the Top of the 8th with a series of no-out hits leading to an 8-4 Astros lead. Texas knocks in an RBI in the Bottom of the 8th to bring the Astros' lead down to 8-5. That was the final score as we are now assured a Game 5 of the 2023 ALCS. Houston wins 8-5. Christian Javier gets the win and a save from Ryan Pressly. Max Scherzer did a heck of a job in his return, but he took the loss for Texas.

[GAME 4: HOU at TEX] The roof was open at Globe Life Park for this game. Houston struck first in the Top of the 1st on an RBI triple that brought in two runs and with nobody out. The Astros went up 2-0 early. Make that 3-0 early as Yordan Alvarez smacks in a base hit. The Rangers fans had something to cheer for as "El Bombi," Adolis Garcia, hit a solo homer to deep left to cut the Astros' lead to 3-1 in the Bottom of the 2nd. Texas scored again that same inning on a sacrifice fly. 3-2 Astros. Corey Seager tied up the game at 3-3 with a solo homer in the Bottom of the 3rd. The Rangers have woken up after a slow start to this game. Yordan Alvarez almost had a Grand Slam in the Top of the 4th, but had to settle for a sacrifice fly. Houston still went back in front, now by a score of 4-3. José Abreu had liftoff launching a three-run jack to left. Houston now is up 7-3 that same inning. Chas McCormick of the Houston Astros bombs a two-run shot to left to put the Astros up 9-3 in the Top of the 7th. An RBI by Yordan Alvarez brought home José Altuve to make it a 10-3 Astros lead in the Top of the 8th. That was the final score- 10-3. Houston with seven unanswered runs in Game 4 to tie the 2023 ALCS at 2-2. Game 5 will be critical in providing the psychological advantage. Oh... and be wary of the 10+ run curse that sometimes haunts the Astros...

[GAME 5: HOU at TEX] Friday afternoon baseball coming right up with Justin Verlander (HOU) vs. Nathan Eovaldi (TEX). This is the fourth-ever postseason game where the home team has never led at any point after four games in a series. The Game 5 winner of a 2-2 tied series has won the series about 70% of the time. Alex Bregman got the party started with a "Breggy Bomb" to left, putting Houston up 1-0 in the Top of the 1st. This was after it seemed like the first inning would breeze by quickly. Nathaniel Lowe tied the game in the Bottom of the 5th on a solo homer to left. Astros and Rangers now level at 1-1 as the Rangers snapped a 10-inning scoreless streak. Jose Abreu knocks in an RBI on what should have been a double play for the Rangers. Astros retook the lead in the Top of the 6th at 2-1. Texas rips a three-run shot to put Texas up 4-2 in the Bottom of the 6th. First lead by either home team now. Relief pitcher Bryan Abreu plunked Adolis Garcia. A scuffle broke out in the Bottom of the 8th with the Astros down by two, and a number of players from both teams got ejected. Jose Altuve bombs one to left in Top of the 9th to give the Astros a 5-4 lead and temporarily silence the crowd in Arlington. Tensions higher than ever on both sides. Back-to-back singles gave the Rangers hope in the Bottom of the 9th, but the Astros held serve to take a 3-2 lead returning to Houston. At this point, the Houston Astros will have to learn to win at home, and they have two chances to get a win. Houston sweeps at the Texas Rangers in the 2023 ALCS. Ryan Pressly picked up the win for Houston, and LeClerc took the loss for Texas.

[GAME 6: TEX at HOU] Game 6 was played in Houston on a Sunday night, and it was Framber Valdez (HOU) vs. Nathan Eovaldi (TEX) the pitching match. Houston scored first on a nicely-hit RBI by Yordan Alvarez. In the Bottom of the 1st, it's 1-0 early for Houston thanks to "Air Yordan." Mitch Garver bangs a solo homer to right on the very first pitch of the Top of the 2nd. Tied at 1-1 after that Texas thunderbolt, and no further Rangers damage was done that half inning. Kyle Tucker thought he robbed Texas of a two-run homer, but he failed. The Rangers go ahead 3-1 in the Top of the 4th after Jonah Heim's two-run shot to right. Remember the Away team has won every game in this series so far. If Texas keeps this up, we're going to Game 7 tomorrow with Houston's home-winning futility continuing. Houston got a little closer but still trails as Mauricio Dubon brought home a run on a Sacrifice Fly in the Bottom of the 6th. Texas' lead is now 3-2. Mitch Garver brought home a Ranger to extend their lead to 4-2 in the Top of the 8th. Now the Astros are looking at Game 7 tomorrow if they fail to at least tie the game. With the bases loaded, a Ranger gets hit by a pitch to put Texas up 5-2 in the Top of the 9th with nobody out. Texas hits a Grand Slam off the bat of Adolis Garcia (remember him?) in the Top of the 9th to basically seal the deal. Houston had its ninth inning magic last game at Texas; Texas has theirs in Houston. We've gone six games in this 2023 ALCS, and now, Game 7 tomorrow to determine who's going to the 2023 World Series.

[GAME 7: TEX at HOU] The 2023 ALCS is looking like the 2019 World Series, where the Away team won every game. If that holds, Houston may be WATCHING the 2023 World Series instead of PLAYING in the 2023 World Series. Let's get it! Already looking bad for Houston as Corey Seager hit a solo homer to right off of Christian Javier. It's an early 1-0 lead for the Texas Rangers. A deep RBI off the wall to left sends another Ranger home that same inning for a 2-0 advantage. The more powerful, more talented team is currently closing in on ending the Astros' season. A failed attempt to catch a fly ball ends up in Texas scoring a 3rd run in the 1st inning. Christian Javier was immediately taken out of the game to be replaced by Phil Maton. Houston gets on the board with an RBI single in the Bottom of the 1st. The Rangers lead got shrunken to 3-1 thanks to José Abreu's RBI, but no further Astros damage happened that inning. "El Bombi" (Adolis Garcia) hits a solo homer in the Top of the 3rd to deep right extend Texas' lead to 4-1. Alex Bregman launched a Breggy Bomb to left-center in the Bottom of the 3rd. Now the Texas lead is truncated to 4-2. A ball was called fair dribbling along the right field line, bringing home two Rangers with the bases loaded in the Top of the 4th. Rangers lead 6-2 as the Astros just keep getting stymied playing damage control. The madness continued as Adolis Garcia brought home two more runs to make it 8-2. "Ready2Reign" for the vulnerable Astros looking more "TakeItBack" for next season. I took my shower after the Rangers went up 8-2 and stopped watching the broadcast afterwards. I checked in later, and it was 11-3, Texas in the Bottom of the 8th. José Altuve hits an inconsequential solo home run in the Bottom of the 9th on the first pitch of this half inning. It is Altuve's 27th homer in his postseason career, two away from tying Miguel Cabrera for most all-time. Astros going out fighting, now down 11-4 trying to score eight or more runs to save their 2023 season. The final result of Game 7: 11-4, Rangers.

--- REVIEW ---
GM1 TEX at HOU: (2-0; Texas)
GM2 TEX at HOU: (5-4; Texas)
GM3 HOU at TEX: (8-5; Houston)
GM4 HOU at TEX: (10-3; Houston)
GM5 HOU at TEX: (5-4; Houston)
GM6 TEX at HOU: (9-2; Texas)
GM7 TEX at HOU: (11-4; Texas)

UP NEXT: 2024 Spring Training. :(

For the Astros to do what they did and still make it this far is commendable in its own right. All the futility eventually caught up to the Astros and got dumped right in their faces. I'm more stunned as to the Astros winning the AL West more than making the Playoffs. Make all the jokes about trash cans, cheating, "asterisks," and what not- the Houston Astros still did a damn good job of even staying relevant and competitive despite all the Hell they've been through in 2023. Sadly, an epic comeback was not meant to be this season. And if they did make the World Series, they could have been at a huge disadvantage as to whomever won the NLCS. I'm proud of my team regardless no matter what anyone thinks. I guess I'll be following my Texans and Rockets (and even Houston Dynamo FC) now...


Elsewhere, the Arizona Diamondbacks forced a Game 7 in their NLCS match, so the Rangers will have to wait and see whom they will be facing in the 2023 World Series. Congratulations to the eventual World Series champions this season!


[OMISSION] According to multiple sources, Johnnie "Dusty" Baker is contemplating retirement. The 74-year old accomplished a whole lot. I wish him well in his retirement if he does indeed officially step down. So I have to wonder who the Houston Astros will look to for a new coach if this materializes. I kind of think this is a good move because Dusty Baker made some poor moves in benching players and things like that. Maybe the next coach will make better decisions in clutch situations. And for goodness sakes, I hope the Astros learn how to win at home after this pathetic season at home!
 
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GTPlaneteers, our 2023 World Series is SET! It will be...

TEX Rangers vs. ARI Diamondbacks

Who will be the champions of Major League Baseball in 2023? Two dangerous and lethal teams will be ready to deal some damage to each other to claim the Commissioner's Trophy in 2023. Who will triumph? The 2023 World Series begins this Friday!


So, GTPlanet... if you care to predict, who will win the 2023 World Series? And if you want to, tell how many games it will take for (the winner) to win the championship this season.
 
It's official- Johnnie "Dusty" Baker has retired. No doubt the 74-year old is a Hall of Famer if he isn't in somebody's Hall of Fame yet. His latest triumph was his first World Series win with the Houston Astros after many years not winning one with other teams he coached to pennants and World Series appearances. I wish Dusty Baker well in his retirement. He's one of the coolest figures in all of baseball, having a spirit of someone half or even 2/3 his age.

I'll have to wonder who the Astros will choose as their next manager and coach. Some are pointing to Joe Espada, but who REALLY knows? We'll see.

THANK YOU, DUSTY BAKER!
 
JohnBM01
It's official- Johnnie "Dusty" Baker has retired. No doubt the 74-year old is a Hall of Famer if he isn't in somebody's Hall of Fame yet. His latest triumph was his first World Series win with the Houston Astros after many years not winning one with other teams he coached to pennants and World Series appearances. I wish Dusty Baker well in his retirement. He's one of the coolest figures in all of baseball, having a spirit of someone half or even 2/3 his age.

I'll have to wonder who the Astros will choose as their next manager and coach. Some are pointing to Joe Espada, but who REALLY knows? We'll see.

THANK YOU, DUSTY BAKER!
Click to expand...
I always liked Dusty as coach. TBH I can remember him as player when I was a child and played for the Dodgers. I am glad he was able to get a chip. He did something that most former players of his caliber rarely do become a good coach. The funny thing is I thought Dusty was his 1st name until I read @JohnBM01 's post 🤣.
 
Thirty teams tried to prove themselves to be contenders. Twelve succeeded. Among those twelve, two proven themselves to be worthy of a championship. That leads us to this moment- the World Series.

Tonight begins the 2023 World Series. The World Series still goes through the state of Texas. This time, however, it does NOT go through Houston. It is instead the Texas Rangers against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The first two games are in Arlington, TX. It will then things go over to Phoenix for Games 3-5 (five if needed). Finally, if needed, the series returns to Arlington for Games 6 and 7.

The Rangers want to do what the Astros did- win the World Series. Meaning... both Texas teams will have won at least one World Series. Some Astros fans want the Rangers to win just to show solidarity in a Texas team winning the Championship. I am NOT one of those people! That would be like me saying "I want the Dallas Cowboys to win it all so a Texas team wins the Super Bowl (speaking as a Houston Texans fan)." Arizona won it all before, and they hope to do it again by taking down the big bad (possibly heavily favored) Texas Rangers. We shall see what happens.

Congratulations to whomever wins the World Series for 2023- be it the Rangers or the Diamondbacks. Enjoy the World Series, GTPlanet!
 
The Texas Rangers are your 2023 World Series Champions. They knocked out the Arizona Diamondbacks in 5 games to claim their first title in team history. This sickens Astros fans, but the way the Rangers played this postseason, they definitely deserve the praise. So the Commissioner's Trophy stays in Texas but goes to another city. Hopefully the Astros take it back next season.

But out of sportsmanship, congratulations to the Texas Rangers on a job well done.
 
I watched the game on Halloween when it was 11-0 in the 3rd inning. Totally embarassing. Checking the box score now, I'm shocked that Arizona actually put 7 points on the board. What a weird World Series. I don't think I even watched one highlight play after Ohtani got injured. Didn't even see a minute of Miami Marlins playing, even on highlights. It's like the MLB disappeared.
 
I'll share some end-of-season thoughts for this post.

After getting used to new rules and quicker-paced games, we have our champions- the Texas Rangers. The Commissioner's Trophy stays in Texas but goes to a different city. Texas was just too powerful. No Adolis Garcia? No "El Bombi?" No problem. Texas did just fine even when he was out of the lineup for the Rangers. I'm just upset as a Houston fan that we couldn't figure out how to beat the Rangers one last time; and even worse, suffer the same 2019 World Series curse of the away team winning every game. Over 60+ years of Rangers baseball, and they finally can be atop the Major League Baseball mountain. So both of Texas' MLB teams now have titles. So much for a "football state" having baseball success, eh?

The Rangers were one of six teams to never win the World Series. There are now five teams to never get to the top of the MLB mountain: the Seattle Mariners, the Milwaukee Brewers, the San Diego Padres, the Colorado Rockies, and the Tampa Bay Rays.


I guess I'll also share some thoughts on other teams and things.

* Astros
The Houston Astros made the most of what they were dealt with. Injuries and some inept offense held down the Astros for most of the season. They still managed to wade their way through it all. Most mind-boggling was how the Astros managed to claim the AL West and get a higher seed. Simply making the playoffs was an accomplishment considering how brutal of a September they had. Even Texas had a brutal September. Part of me wanted Houston to meet Baltimore in the ALCS rather than Texas. I think the Rangers did the "WE WANT HOUSTON!" chant; and unlike previous foes, they succeeded. I'm just sad the Astros' fight wasn't enough to keep their season afloat. There is nothing to be ashamed about making the postseason again and making yet another League Championship Series run. It is just sad another World Series appearance wasn't in the cards for Houston this season. Baseball deities must have felt it was time for some other team(s) to get a shot at glory.

* Rangers
I feared the Texas Rangers all season long. They were smart in the offseason spending all kinds of money and really shaking up the team. And guess what? It worked. They went from trash to triumph in the snap of a finger. Texas had their own lull they had to deal with late in the season. The Astros contributed to that lull by smashing and sweeping the Rangers in September. Maybe that was the something needed for Texas to go BEAST MODE- downing Tampa Bay, Baltimore, and (sadly) Houston to get to the World Series and win it. You never want to congratulate your rival, but out of sportsmanship, well played by the Rangers.

* Reds
No doubt I was impressed with Elly de la Cruz for Dolph Drago's Cincinnati Reds. As long as Cincinnati doesn't try to ship him off or something, he'll be a star of the future for the Redlegs. There are three memories I have of the Reds in 2023- (1) sweeping the Texas Rangers, (2) sweeping the Houston Astros :( , and (3) going from a 9-0 lead to Pittsburgh to lose 13-12 on 13 unanswered Pittsburgh Pirates runs. Cincy can be a dangerous team. They'll reverse their misfortunes and may even shock a few teams. Well, one thing Reds fans can be proud of is... you swept the eventual World Series Champions!

* Mets
I had some good feelings about the New York Mets this season. Sadly, Blitz24's Metropolitans didn't have as great of a season. I thought the combination of Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer would help lift the Mets pitching-wise. The offense, however, didn't click as well. Sad enough, Verlander returned to Houston, and Scherzer went to Texas. Scherzer now has a Championship ring with the Rangers. That, more than anything, hurts for Mets fans.

* Marlins
Omnis' Miami Marlins did quite well this season to me. I didn't really have them maybe going for an NL pennant, but they did put on quite a show and proven to be quite formidable. It isn't easy going up in division against the likes of Atlanta and Philadelphia.

* Angels
Even if you don't care one iota about the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, you have to at least love Shohei Ohtani. Shohei-san was quite baller pitching and hitting. The rest of the Angels, meanwhile... not so baller. They basically waved the white flag later in the season and coasted to the finish line.

* Padres
The San Diego Padres seemed dangerous. Just like the Mets, though, the Padres rather disappointed. I still think the Padres could have contended better. They just didn't fare as well among the other NL California teams. It would have really been a thing if the Padres challenged the Dodgers as being the best California NL team or even to be the best in the NL West.

* Yankees and Red Sox
I'm putting these two in one post. Ah, best friends New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. A lot of people think it's great when neither the Yankees nor Red Sox make the postseason. It was even surreal to say "last-place" to attach to the Yankees. The Red Sox actually finished last in the AL East while the Yanks finished 4th.

* Cubs and White Sox
Chicago wasn't really ballin' this season. The Cubs caught on late, but it wasn't really enough to maybe sneak into the Playoffs. The White Sox from the South Side of Chicago didn't fare much better. I most know this season as one VERY passionate White Sox fan early in the season going on an epic rant grilling the team harder than Texas barbecue. I actually had the White Sox maybe winning the AL Central this season.


Goes to show- make predictions, and prepare to be proven wrong. Anyhow... the other 29 teams will be wanting what the Texas Rangers have. Prepare to defend that title, Rangers! My post is over. Feel free to offer your end-of-season thoughts if you like.
 

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