I’m not sure how much you expected the Rangers and Orioles to be among the good playoff teams this year, but here we are.
After all, even though the Rangers finished fifth in the American, they came close to winning their division. The club has exploded offensively this season.
Then, in the playoffs, they took advantage of the Rays’ generosity to win a round.
As for the Orioles, obviously, we know that the club has, like the Rangers, taken a giant step forward this season. The club had 101 wins and truly dominated the American League.
In both cases, such a performance was perhaps more to be expected in 2024 than in 2023, but the organizations were visibly hungry after years of misery.
And there, one of them will go to the championship series. But which? Let’s analyze in order to set the table for the 1 p.m. duel.
Starting pitchers
The Baltimore Orioles will have the advantage of having rested starters who will be able to pitch at home. This is a big advantage.
Kyle Bradish and Grayson Rodriguez will be the first two starters on Maryland’s roster. Kyle Gibson and Dean Kremer are arguably options moving forward, which is interesting.
For the Rangers, Andrew Heaney will pitch today and Jordan Montgomery, who did very well against Tampa Bay, will pitch in Game 2.
Nathan Eovaldi and Dane Dunning are the other likely starters.
I like the depth of the Orioles rotation better, but it’s still important to remember that the Rays realized the Rangers had good starters.
But the Orioles are going to play better than the Rays this week…
Relievers
If it takes good relievers to get far in the playoffs, let’s say the Rangers are off to a bad start. It didn’t show against the Rays because the relief wasn’t challenged…
But in fact, the 2023 Rangers have 30 saves in 63 opportunities. This means that relievers have more sabotages than saves. It’s not worthy of a playoff club.
Jose Leclerc is capable of doing a good job, but behind him, things can go in all directions with Aroldis Chapman or Will Smith, for example.
Could Max Scherzer eventually return to play in the bullpen, for example? It might help if he’s at 100%.
On the Orioles side, I still like the depth better with Yennier Cano, Danny Coulombe or Tyler Wells, who will go to the bullpen in the playoffs.
But not all regular season numbers can be taken into account due to Felix Bautista’s injury. This hurts the club and their bullpen takes a hit… but it is better than in Texas.
Hitters
Even though the Orioles have some formidable hitters, it is clear that the advantage is with the Rangers.
Corey Seager, Marcus Semien and Adolis Garcia are all formidable hitters who are also in the running for the Hank Aaron, awarded to the hitter of the year.
Seager has the experience from his years in Los Angeles, where he was a World Series MVP in 2020, to guide his teammates. And Semien made the playoffs in Oakland, too.
Josh Jung, Jonah Heim and Nate Lowe are other names to watch… and don’t underestimate Evan Carter in the left.
The Orioles are not to be pitied, however. Ryan Mountcastle, Ryan O’Hearn, Gunnar Henderson, Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander are all excellent players.
I like the Orioles field.
But the real star of this club, all positions combined, is receiver Adley Rutschman. It is towards him that the spotlight will be turned.
I’m really, really looking forward to seeing it in the series.
Defensive
The Texas Rangers probably have one of the best defenses in the league. It must be said that the Seager/Semien duo in the middle of the infield helps quite a bit and that they are a good receiver.
No one made fewer mistakes than them in the American in 2023.
But the Orioles have also limited mistakes in 2023. And when Rutschman gets behind the plate, it makes everyone better.
I don’t think the game will be disjointed in the series. But at the same time, I didn’t expect the Rays to play this poorly during their series against the Rangers…
Managers
With the Orioles, Brandon Hyde is truly at the heart of the club’s success. He took over the training after the departure of Buck Showalter and he clearly orchestrated a crazy rise in the standings.
Going from a season of at least 110 losses in 2021 to at least 100 wins two years later is unheard of. And Hyde is to be congratulated.
That said, on the other hand, Bruce Bochy’s experience will help. He has three World Series titles under his belt and his players love playing for him.
Out of respect, it’s Texas advantage here.
Imponderables
The Orioles had a rest while the Rangers, who expected all year to win their division this year, finally had to go play in Texas before heading to Baltimore.
Is this going to show? Will home field advantage be more important for the Orioles or the Rangers? That remains to be seen.
