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One of these series, somewhat shockingly, could end today. The Texas Rangers were under .500 and seven games out of first place August 3, seemingly far from any thoughts of the postseason. They went 36-21 the rest of the way and won the A.L. West at 88-74. Now they are one game away from eliminating the Toronto Blue Jays, the only A.L. team that had a better record from August 3 to season's end (38-17).
The Jays did win two of three in Texas in August, and other teams have come back from deficits like this. So don't count Toronto out just yet.
The first postseason game in Houston since Game 4 of the 2005 World Series features Dallas Keuchel going for the Astros after his outstanding performance in the wild-card game. The Royals got swept the last time they played in Houston at the end of June. KC is still a very good team, but this won't be easy.
Here's all the info you'll need for today's two games.
Royals at Astros, 3:10 p.m. CT. Edinson Volquez vs. Dallas Keuchel. TV: MLB Network. Announcers: Matt Vasgersian, John Smoltz and Jon Paul Morosi.
MLB.com Gameday for Astros/Royals
Blue Jays at Rangers, 7 p.m. CT. Marco Estrada vs. Martin Perez. TV: FS1. Announcers: Kenny Albert, Harold Reynolds, Tom Verducci and Ken Rosenthal.
MLB.com Gameday for Blue Jays/Rangers
A reminder that the result of this evening's game will decide the starting time for Game 3 between the Cubs and Cardinals at Wrigley tomorrow. If the Jays win, forcing a Game 4 in their series Monday, the game at Wrigley will be at 5:07 p.m. CT. If the Rangers win tonight and thus win the series, the game at Wrigley will be at 3:37 p.m. CT.
This will be the only thread for today's A.L. games. Enjoy, and discuss amongst yourselves.