Rangers blow out Orioles to complete ALDS sweep: Here’s what we learned-ZoomTech News

There’s excellent news and dangerous information, Texas Rangers followers.

The excellent news is that your workforce is 5-0 in October and is transferring on to the American League Championship Collection for the primary time in 12 years. The dangerous information is that this membership faces its hardest potential opponent over the following few days: nobody.

With how properly the Rangers swung the bats Tuesday in a 7-1 victory to finish an emphatic sweep of the 101-win Baltimore Orioles, an off-day — or 4 — might be the very last thing Texas desires proper now.

However that is an issue for later. For now, the Rangers can rightfully rejoice a remarkably spectacular week of baseball, the type of week that did not appear all that seemingly when the AL West title slipped away in Recreation 162 simply 9 days in the past.

Enjoying their first house sport in two weeks, the Rangers handled the Globe Life Area crowd to the type of rout it had already loved a number of occasions from afar this month. Texas jumped on opposing starter Dean Kremer in a rush, placing the sport out of hand earlier than Baltimore’s offense might even attempt to settle in in opposition to All-Star Nathan Eovaldi, who had zero curiosity in letting the Orioles bats amass even a touch of momentum to counter.

After a shaky September, Eovaldi was by some means even higher than he was final spherical in opposition to Tampa Bay, going seven sturdy innings, punching out seven, and as soon as once more yielding zero walks. Aroldis Chapman did his customary loading of the bases within the eighth earlier than nearer José Leclerc calmed issues down and closed out the collection with 4 outs.

Recreation 3 MVP

As proficient because the Rangers’ lineup is, it isn’t precisely one chock-full of electrical personalities. Luckily for Texas, Adolis García has sufficient vitality and on-field charisma for your entire roster, and that was on full show together with his titanic three-run blast within the second inning to lift the quantity degree at Globe Life Area to beforehand undiscovered decibel ranges.

The arrogance with which El Bombi swings a baseball bat is one thing to behold, not to mention the showmanship he usually gives while exiting the batter’s field after launching baseballs 400-plus ft with ease. Of all of the methods the Rangers have assembled the important thing members of their offense, from the huge free-agent splashes to the eager drafting and creating of homegrown stars, García’s addition nonetheless stands out as probably the most exceptional. Texas acquired him for mere money from St. Louis in December 2019 after García had languished in Triple-A for 2 seasons, the place he had hit fairly properly however not properly sufficient to earn a daily spot within the massive leagues.

Have a look at him now. An All-Star as a 28-year-old rookie in 2021, García has established himself as one of many premier proper fielders within the sport. The whiffs will at all times be there, however an enormous uptick in walks this season recommend he nonetheless is perhaps bettering his hit profile as he enters his 30s. Most significantly, although, the dude is rattling entertaining — and for that, we are able to all be grateful.

Contained in the field rating

Corey Seager and Globe Life Area — identify a extra iconic duo. Loads of jokes had been made when Seager first signed with Texas in free company, citing his unbelievable 2020 postseason run that occurred virtually solely within the “bubble” in Arlington the place the later rounds of that October had been staged. Seager’s first yr as a Ranger in 2022 might need been disappointing on the entire, however he held up his finish of the cut price for these hoping he’d keep his sensational type in his new ballpark: He posted a .901 OPS at house final yr in comparison with a .645 mark on the street. 

This yr, although, not solely did Seager have an MVP-caliber marketing campaign total, he continued to be particularly ridiculous for the house crowd, hitting a laughably legendary .337/.406/.707 with 23 homers in 64 video games at Globe Life within the common season. So, naturally, even following a sport wherein Baltimore pitching wished completely nothing to do with him and walked him a playoff report 5 occasions, it felt inevitable what would occur as quickly as Seager noticed one thing hittable in Recreation 3.

Like clockwork.

What’s subsequent?

It is an abrupt and disappointing finish to a magical season for the Orioles, who extremely had not been swept all yr. Simply as surprising: the AL East going a mixed 0-7 in these playoffs after being one of the best division in baseball (and posting the very best successful share of all time for a division with a minimum of 5 groups). For Baltimore specifically, the problem transferring ahead will likely be creating and/or buying the pitching depth and upper-level expertise worthy of supporting an amazing, almost unparalleled core of younger hitters. I would not depend on a nine-figure spending spree à la Texas any time quickly from the Birds, however there are some enticing arms accessible in free company and certain on the commerce market this winter that they need to severely take into account pursuing. Regardless of the bitter conclusion, the longer term is oh-so vibrant within the Baltimore.

As for Texas, ALCS Recreation 1 awaits on Sunday, location pending the results of Astros-Twins. Ought to Houston advance — the defending world champs at the moment lead their ALDS 2-1 — an epic conflict of in-state AL West rivals would begin between a Rangers workforce making its first LCS look since 2011 and the powerhouse Astros enjoying deep into October for the seventh consecutive yr. Looming particularly giant within the coming days would be the potential return and availability of Max Scherzer, who was initially dominated out for the postseason on account of a shoulder damage in September however seems to be doing all the things in his energy to have an opportunity to contribute to this exceptional Rangers run. 

No matter Scherzer’s availability, Jordan Montgomery and Eovaldi will likely be well-rested and able to roll for the primary two video games of the following spherical. That is excellent news for any pitcher. As for the offense? I am not so certain any of those Rangers hitters need this four-day break. However, they will must suck it up and endure the implications of their very own dominance. I doubt we’ll hear an excessive amount of complaining.

Jordan Shusterman is half of @CespedesBBQ and a baseball author for FOX Sports activities. He has coated baseball for his complete grownup life, most notably for MLB.com, DAZN and The Ringer. He is a Mariners fan dwelling within the Jap Time Zone, which implies he loves a very good 10 p.m. first pitch. You may comply with him on Twitter @j_shusterman_.

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