MLB Playoffs: Battle of Texas begins with trip to World Series on the line

ALCS game one begins on Sunday

A battle between two teams from Texas will determine who represents the American League in the World Series this year.

The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros begin their best-of-seven series Sunday night in Houston. The AL West rivals finished the season with the same record, with the Astros taking the division on a tiebreaker.

Houston Astros vs Texas Rangers, 8:15 pm ET

Astros won season series 9-4

HOU - Justin Verlander (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

TEX - Jordan Montgomery (1-0, 3.27 ERA)

Players to watch

Houston; Kyle Tucker

Tucker has absolutely feasted on Rangers pitching this year, slashing .400/.571/.650 with three home runs, along with 15 walks to just two strike outs in 13 games. He’s struggled just a bit this postseason, with a .508 OPS so far.

Texas, Evan Carter

I guess it’s the prospect guy in me, but Carter has been amazing for the Rangers this postseason. He had just 75 plate appearances during the regular season, but looked good - hitting .306/.413/.645 with five home runs.

He’s kicked it into another gear in the postseason, batting .429/.619/.857 with six walks to just three strikeouts in just five games.