The rivalry between the Rangers and Astros has heated up faster than a Bunsen burner. The hate is real and can be felt across the State of Texas and beyond.
Regions outside Texas have dominated baseball rivalries for more than a century. There have been Yankees vs. Red Sox, Dodgers vs. Giants, and Cubs vs. Cardinals, to name just a few. Now it’s the Lone Star State’s turn: Rangers vs. Astros.
Only 240 miles separate Space City and The Metroplex. Considering the size of our nation’s second-largest state, that distance isn’t far. However, sports fandom in the two cities couldn’t be farther apart, even though passionate sports rivalries can get overshadowed in places that size. Not in Texas, though.
The rivalry has intensified for over a decade, but that doesn’t mean the heat wasn’t there before. The rivalry existed in interleague play only, and most of those games were (no offense) low-stakes affairs. But today, it’s an inter-division rivalry, and the rivalry is even better when both are contending clubs.
The intensity of the rivalry took off in 2013 when the Houston Astros joined the American League West. The structural shift established both an inter-state and inter-division rivalry. The shine of the 2010 and 2011 ALCS-winning Texas Rangers had worn off, and the Houston Astros began their rebuild, with the rise to dominance showing in 2017. Leading up to last season, the Astros had been to the ALCS six straight times, won four AL pennants, and made four World Series appearances. They took home the Commissioner’s Trophy twice (*).
That dominance built resentment and pulled at the heartstrings of Texas Rangers fans, who still felt nostalgia for the teams of the 2010 and 2011 seasons. In contrast, the dominance built a sense of superiority in the Houston Astros fan base. Then, things went “boom!” 2023 was a perfect storm and the critical element needed for any great rivalry … competitive hate.
On July 26th, 2023, there were hit-by-pitches and chirping, culminating in benches-clearing en route to a Texas Rangers victory. Then, there was a chaotic race to win the American League West. The Astros climbed back in the last half of the season to win the division by having the tie-breaker advantage in the season series. Both ball clubs were tied at the end of the year. Wow!
But there was more. The rivalry was immortalized in the 2023 ALCS. Neither of the rivals won a game in their home ballpark in the seven-game series, which was ultimately won by the Rangers in a dominant Game Seven. Then, the Rangers went on to win their first World Series in franchise history by beating the Arizona Diamondbacks. Much to the disdain of Astros fans, the Texas Rangers were back in the saddle and in control of Texas and the whole of MLB.
As a Rangers fan who visited Minute Maid Park during the heat of the 2023 season, I can tell you that disdain and pettiness are at an all-time high, and I think that will only grow in years to come. We can only expect more of the same, mainly because these instate rivals are projected to (again) be two of the best teams in baseball.
Astros fans, please enjoy the 2023 World Series Champions banner to be unveiled at Globe Life Field. To rub salt in the wound, the Texas Rangers will open an in-park Whataburger for the first game of the 2024 Silver Boot Series.
Cheers to this 21st-century rivalry! It’s good for baseball, Texas, Houston, and Dallas.
