ALDS Rangers (90-72) vs. Orioles (101-61)
Game 1 - BAL RHP Bradish vs. TEX LHP Heaney @ OPACY
Game 2 - BAL RHP Rodriguez vs. TEX LHP Montgomery @ OPACY
Game 3 - TEX RHP Eovaldi vs. BAL RHP Kremer @ Globe Life Field
After quickly dispatching the 99 win Tampa Bay Rays in the Wild Card round, the Rangers head to Baltimore to face the upstart, 101 win Orioles. Just two years ago, both of these team lost over 100 games, and now they meet in the playoffs. The Birds are led by a dynamic duo of young stars, second-year catcher Adley Rutschman and presumptive AL ROY Gunnar Henderson. Veterans Anthony Santander, Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins, and Aaron Hicks have provided strong contributions throughout the year. With injuries to star closer Felix Bautista and reliable lefty John Means, and with relative lack of experience among the arms, many have doubts have been expressed about Brandon Hyde’s pitching staff. And facing this stacked Rangers offense, those doubts are warranted.
Bruce Bochy is no stranger to managing great teams heading into the postseason, but this Rangers team might just be the best offense he’s ever had. We know all about Semien and Seager at the top of the order, but this lineup runs deep and sees contributions from its own youngsters Josh Jung and Evan Carter. They’ll have to rely heavily on their bullpen in game one, but they can reset the rotation in Games 2 and 3 with Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi, both of whom were outstanding in the Wild Card Round. A dance in the ALCS on the line, who will come out on top?
Audio Clips from MLB.tv
Texas Radio 105.3 KRLD - Eric Nadel and Matt Hicks
Baltimore Radio WBAL - Geoff Arnold, Kevin Brown, and Ben McDonald
Catch you next time,
P.C.O.
