Which Team Should Phillies Fans Root for in the ALCS?
The Philadelphia Phillies are looking at an opportunity to close out the Arizona Diamondbacks to win their second consecutive National League pennant. Should Phillies fans root for a potential World Series matchup against the Houston Astros or against the Texas Rangers?
One of the interesting things you encounter doing a sports radio show are fans telling you “Don’t jinx it.”
It’s the most idiotic thing I’ve ever heard. To think a singular host could speak something into existence is absurd. Now, if the PLAYERS fall into a trap thinking they’ve already won the NLCS, it could be a problem. Here are some points worth considering if you want to look ahead to the World Series.
Don’t Mess with Texas.
12 games is a quality sample size. Going 0-12 in those games is hardly quality. The Phillies have had a very poor record when they face the Texas Rangers.
It’s been almost a decade since the Phillies have beaten the Rangers. It was 2014 to be exact. Since then the 12 straight Texas victories are the most dominant streak of ANY team vs the Phillies. Zealots will tell you it means nothing, I won’t be that arrogant.
So, Bring on the Astros?
It took the Astros until the final day of the season to clinch their division and the bye. Up until then, they scuffled and allowed the Rangers and Mariners to stay in the mix.
Since joining the American League in 2013, the defending World Champions are 5-7 against the Phillies during the regular season. By those metrics, the Astros are a much better draw….BUT
Remember the World Series in 2022?
The Phillies grabbed the first game in Houston in extra innings and lost the next night. When they returned home to Philadelphia, they clubbed five homers and won 7-0 in Game 3. People started seriously believing a parade was coming.
Game 4 was the infamous World Series no-hitter. Poor defense by Brandon Marsh and Rhys Hoskins gave the Astros a win in Game 5. The Phillies hitters either ran out of gas in the World Series or were just dominated by a superior staff. So, we want Texas right?
The Rangers have never experienced a Red October.
The Rangers have little postseason experience, so a trip to Philly for three straight games might be intimidating. I think I’d prefer grabbing one of the first two games on the road and having the Rangers feel the heat up here! But wait…
The Phillies have home field advantage if it’s the Astros.
Despite the Astros feeling no intimidation factor at Citizens Bank Park last year, having home field advantage is more advantageous.
Astros-Rangers in ALCS
Do you want to face the less experienced team or the veteran champions? Do you want to have home field advantage? We can all agree: let the Astros and the Rangers go seven games and burn their bullpens and lose the chance to set up their rotations. I’ll take a rematch with the Astros and home field advantage.
“We have a better team than we did last year. Some better additions and pretty much the same squad, so I think that’s helped out a lot with the great relationships we’ve formed already and the chemistry that we have together. “
— 97.5 The Fanatic (@975TheFanatic) October 18, 2023
- Aaron Nola
📸Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images pic.twitter.com/9ZdXrh7Eb5
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