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Nolan Writin Predictions for the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros ALCS matchup

Our crew is back with another round of predictions this time for the ALCS between the Astros and Rangers that gets started on Sunday night.

By Michael Sanders , Andrew Sanford , Brian Sweet , Jesse DeTienne , Lorenzo Almanza , Stephen Francis , West Jones |
Houston Astros v Texas Rangers
Houston Astros v Texas Rangers / Tim Heitman/GettyImages
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Our crew has taken time once again to study this series and then give our predictions for what we think will happen. Some of us have gotten our predictions right and some have been completely off. We are back for a third round of predictions that we hope will be right.

Stephen Francis

On one hand, we have the team that has dominated the American League for the past seven seasons. The Astros have been here many times and they know what they’re doing, earning two titles in the process. And yes, say what you want about HOW they got at least one of them. 

Then, we have the underdog Rangers, who are arguably the hottest team in baseball right now. They’ve swept their way through the Wild Card and Divisional rounds. And it’s not like they’ve taken down bad teams, either. The Orioles had the best record in the American League and the Rays finished just two games behind them. That’s not a bad resumé at all. 

Yes, Houston swept the Rangers in Arlington. But that was also not the same Texas team they faced earlier in the year. The Rangers were missing Adolis Garcia and Nathan Eovaldi had barely left the IL and had about a quarter inch of rust to sand away. As evidenced by game three against the Orioles, he’s now fresh and ready to go. 

I see them splitting the first two in the road, taking two at home and winning the sixth in Houston. So, gimme the Rangers stunning Houston in six.

To be honest, I’ve gone back and forth mentally about this series. This seriously has the makings to be one of the greatest ALCS matchups we’ve seen in a long time.

Prediction: Texas Rangers 4-2

Andrew Sanford

As a paranormal investigator once said, “Call it fate, call it luck, call it karma; I believe everything happens for a reason.” The Texas Rangers are facing their first real chance at a World Series return since 2011. The years in between saw the Houston Astros win their first Championship (and something else in 2017 that kind of counts). They have been the team to beat. It only makes sense that they now stand in the Rangers’ way. 

It may be wishful thinking, but I do believe this will be the last year of Astros dominance (for now). Despite being heavy favorites, they didn’t have the most explosive year. We can see the seams. The Rangers had some similar issues, but that’s expected coming off a 68-win season. The Astros won it all last year, yet it felt like they spent 2023 on a downturn. Then September rolled along. They didn’t have the easiest time against the Twins, but they still eliminated them.

If the Rangers want to take their place among the American League’s great teams, they must beat their (relatively new) division rivals. Four-year-old me, who once saw Nolan Ryan face the Astros in a Rangers uniform during Spring Training in 1993, sparking a life-long fandom, knows they will. The Rangers have a chance at storybook success. This is the kind of postseason that makes a franchise legendary. It launches rivalries into the national conversation. The Astros have made their name, now it’s the Rangers’ turn. 

I have no data to back up my convictions. I could point out the OPS of people like Evan Carter or Corey Seager. I could spend the remaining paragraphs here talking about my uncontainable excitement for Jordan Montgomery taking the mound in game one (he wants it). It’s a feeling. The next few days will be stressful. The Rangers will look like they are up against the ropes, but they will come out on top. 

Prediction: Texas Rangers win 4-2

Jesse DeTienne

This season comes down to this. The Houston Astros in the American League Championship series. Now, as a Rangers fan, I want to keep the road win-streak alive and hop quickly into the World Series. 

But, in reality the Rangers have to still play the Astros. Give me the Rangers in six. I think the lineup is back to the lineup all of MLB saw all season. With the way the starting pitching is pitching and the bullpen has looked solid as it will be, the Rangers are the team to beat, (2.20 ERA) 

Also, starting pitchers against the Rangers this postseason are 0-5 with a 10.00 ERA. 

Why do the Rangers make the World Series? 11 teams in the Wild Card era, since 1995 have had win streaks of five plus games. Eight out of the 11 made the World Series. Two of those three that have not made the World series are the 2023 Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks. 

Prediction Texas Rangers 4-2

Lorenzo Almanza

The Texas Rangers are set for an exciting series with the Houston Astros. The Battle of Texas will come down to skill vs tactic. If Texas can forces the Astros’ starting pitchers to throw a lot early then this will help the their chances of moving on.Also, if Bruce Bochy can out-coach Busty Baker, then the sky is the limit for Texas.I think the Rangers will be tested early on. However, I believe rookies Josh Jung and Evan Carter will be the difference makers. If the rookie duo can continue performing at a high level, then there is no doubt Texas will be playing in the World Series.Give me the Rangers in six. I believe this team is young and hungry. Plus with Max Scherzer back it will help the bullpen tremendously.

Prediction: Texas Rangers 4-2

Brian Sweet

The baseball Gods have blessed the state of Texas with a matchup of the ages for a chance to play in the World Series. Before I get to my prediction, I would like to apologize to the Nolan Writin readers for doubting the Rangers in the playoffs. I didn’t think this team had it in them after the last week of the season and being down both Jacob DeGrom and Max Scherzer. I was completely blown away when we swept the top team in the American League, the Baltimore Orioles.

Now the Rangers are going up against their division rival for a shot at their first World Series birth since 2011. This is not going to be a walk in the park. The Astros are loaded with talent just like the Rangers down their lineup. Jose Abreu, Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Chas McCormick. Yordan Alvarez and Michael Brantley. They also have a deep rotation with Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez, J.P. France and others. The Rangers did get some good news this week as Max Scherzer will more than likely be added to the ALCS roster as he’s good to go. The Astros won’t have it easy as the Rangers have Josh Jung, Adolis Garcia, and Scherzer back. The Rangers also have added their top prospect Evan Carter to their roster who the Astros haven’t gone up against before. To wrap my prediction, I think the Rangers are the hottest team in the playoffs right now and it’s time for a new team to hoist the American League trophy this year.  

Prediction: Texas Rangers 4-2

West Jones

Oh goodness, the Lone Star State ALCS is actually going to happen. This should be an epic series featuring two teams that know each other well. No matter the outcome, the AL West will be represented in the World Series. So, who will it be that will move on from this southern showdown and take on the National League? It will be your Texas Rangers in six games. 

In both 2010 and 2011, the Rangers clinched the pennant at home, but this time it will be on the road. After a split in Houston, the Rangers will take two of three at home, before going back down I-45 for Nathan Eovaldi to deliver the knockout blow. Speaking of Eovaldi, he is going to be the series MVP by picking up two wins and leading the charge. 

To be the best, you have to beat the best, and that is what this series will signify. A changing of the guard so to speak. That isn’t to say that Houston is going to fade into a rebuild next year, but the Rangers will lay claim to being the team to beat not only in the AL West, but also the American League as a whole. Saddle up everyone, it’s going to be western at times, but hang on tight and don’t flinch. Let’s go Rangers!

Prediction: Texas Rangers win 4-2

Michael Sanders

I am so ready for this series to get underway. The waiting around is killing me. The series finally gets underway tonight. I have been perfect in two predictions this playoffs. I had Texas beating Tampa Bay in two and Baltimore in three. The series I cannot get out of my mind is 2018 when the Red Sox beat Houston in five games. The Red Sox were a far superior team to this Texas Rangers team. They were also facing an Astros team that was a defending World Series champion. They were a team that played strong defense and had a dominant starting rotation that included Nathan Eovaldi. The Red Sox won all three games in Houston and advanced to the World Series.

I think Texas comes into this series with a lot of momentum and belief. Houston did win 9 of the 13 games played. They swept Texas back in September. This is a drastically different Texas team than what Houston faced that week.

I think this Texas team flips the script on Houston. I think they come out aggressive and win both in Houston in games 1 and 2, I think the energy from the home crowd with Scherzer on the mound will be able to carry them to a 3-0 lead. I think Houston wins the bullpen game for Texas. Then Jordan Montgomery pitches a brilliant game 5 and delivers Texas to the World Series.

Prediction: Texas in 5

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