Three Thoughts on Rangers at Astros, Gm 6

Texas has never stood tall in the face of adversity quite like this one.

Three Thoughts on any and all playoff games for DFW’s teams is one mandatory feature of #SturmStack. In tribute to our Substack leader, the late Grant Wahl.

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“They keep getting up.” - Bruce Bochy

The Texas Rangers fought off elimination and the end of the 2023 season with a tremendous 9-2 win in Houston to win Game 6 and force the 7th and final game of the American League Championship Series on Monday Night against the defending champs. The winner of Monday’s Game 7 will go to the World Series.

These are my Three Thoughts:

– To win this game after what has happened over the last week shows that this team is as resilient as a team can be.

All you want from your sports teams is to know that they have guts when it counts. That they refuse to go quietly when hit hard in the face. That they don’t quit because things get tough and they are forced to find a way or make a way. That is so obvious and yet mostly uncommon. Teams often splinter and shatter when challenged by a bigger and stronger bully, but there are times when your guys exceed your expectations.

This Rangers team is that team. They have been underestimated the entire year. And why not? They haven’t been on anyone’s baseball radar in years. They were a punchline and an afterthought.

Well, nobody is laughing anymore. This team has already exceeded anyone’s reasonable expectations and now should feel like they have the opportunity of a lifetime on Monday night, but they should also feel as if they have already won the baseball world’s full respect. Anything accomplished from here on out in 2023 is the safe full of casino money.

You just cannot put into words how many different guys stood tall and faced down their biggest foe on Sunday Night in a Game 6 that should be an example of Texas Rangers baseball is all about – or at least what it can be about.

Nathan Eovaldi is first in line, but don’t forget the jobs of Mitch Garver, Adolis Garcia, Jonah Heim, Josh Sborz, Evan Carter, and for sure, Jose Leclerc. There are many more, but those six guys in particular were heroes of a game that the Rangers absolutely, positively had to win.

These men, these mighty men, all had to come up big on the biggest stage with a stadium full of yelling, screaming, and booing folks who were sure Texas was dead and that they had tickets to a celebration of another Houston pennant. That party has either been delayed or cancelled altogether. Time will tell. But, holy heck, there have been some bold and valiant stands with backs against the wall around here, but the one we saw on Sunday Night was immense.

Again, it might hit different in history based on how Game 7 goes, but either way, I would like to propose that Game 6 finds a time capsule because that should just make you proud to pull for those guys. The tanks were empty – or at least supposedly empty. For them to get back up and fight like that is a validation that this build is real. And now, they have one last game to win to get back to the World Series. You do not get this close very often. You might as well push through one last time.

– If the Rangers are to survive this series, the pitching of the guys we saw tonight will deserve so much credit.

I seriously cannot believe Nathan Eovaldi did it again. I just want to make sure everyone remembers that his last start that went six innings was July 18th before his stint as an injured arm who might not make it all the way back. Then his September was low usage and very much a touch-and-go adventure. For Evo to pitch four games in the playoffs and to get four quality starts in a row and all four are Rangers wins should not be overlooked.

Are you kidding me? Where are they without what he has done? He is a rock and a big game pitcher who has risen to the occasion in huge fashion in October. I am so impressed and tonight was one of those cases where he was refusing to give in and just trying to shorten the game for the bullpen.

Speaking of the bullpen, I cannot believe how stressful this ride has been. But, the two guys tonight, Josh Sborz and Jose Leclerc have been the two you can count on. Even though they both insisted on walking the first batter they faced in the 8th innings, respectively, they somehow figured it out. And when Leclerc blew a heater past Jon Singleton to end the inning and let out a scream, I am pretty sure he was joined by folks on couches everywhere.

Leclerc has literally saved this season and has easily earned the 2024 closer job. This job interview has gone wonderfully well and he is one save from a pennant that he will have considerable equity in if he can do it one more time. Let’s hope he gets the opportunity.

– The offensive moments from this game are many, but the Adolis grand-slam after striking out four times is going to be tough to beat.

Look, I know it is more about poetic justice than the actual reason the Rangers had enough runs to win this game, but the series has become a bit about the symbolism of it all. Texas has stood up to its cross-state rival and pushed them to the very brink. Will it be enough to overtake them or will it just be a battle they will not soon forget? Well, we have to test our hearts one more night to truly know.

But, the symbolism of Adolis Garcia being the one with the nerve to take the battle to Houston, tell them about it, throw his bat down as a challenge, wag his finger in their face, and then do it again, is why he is the heart and soul of this organization.

I don’t know if you want eight guys who are as animated and emotional, but this team needs Garcia. He drags them into the fray sometimes and the battle-level is wonderful. We talk about guys who play for the name on the front of the jersey and I believe that is what he is all about. I believe he has a lot of pride for this organization because they gave him his big chance and he won’t let them down, if he can help it. I have immensely enjoyed his three seasons here and hope for many more. His emotions and fiery spirit along with his knack for the dramatic moment is the type of thing that would make a younger version of me buy a No. 53 jersey. He is truly a bringer of joy and the magnet that attracts casuals to a sport that sometimes might not always appeal when the stakes are lower.

Anyway, back to tonight, I was talking to my television and begging Ryne Stanek to throw him one pitch down the middle. He obliged and you just knew what would happen next. They struck him out four times and he was still out looking for blood on the fifth at bat.

He destroyed that ball just like he did in Game 5. This time, however, there was no answer to be offered by Houston.

If that isn’t what this team is all about, I don’t know what it would otherwise be.

I should be writing more about Jonah Heim’s home run, Mitch Garver’s at bat before it that made it possible, Evan Carter manufacturing a run, and my belief that Marcus Semien will have a moment of clutch hitting in Game 7.

I should, but I won’t. Because all I can think of now is everyone getting some sleep because Max Scherzer and the Rangers have a chance to write the best chapter of Rangers baseball yet on Monday Night.

After being up against the wall themselves, Texas has now pushed Houston’s back up against their own wall, too. Something must give and it must give Monday.

Absolutely incredible baseball. What a series. We are blessed to be witnesses. We are also exhausted.