The Texas Rangers effectively stole the American League West title from the Houston Astros. Then they trolled their in-state rival for blowing the lead.
On August 18th, the upstart Houston Astros owned a 2.5 game lead on the Los Angeles Angels and a 4-game lead on Texas Rangers. While not huge, Houston apparently thought it was comfortable enough to talk a little smack to their division-rivals.
COME AND TAKE IT. #RallyTime #WalkItOff pic.twitter.com/IqMDHzeKxJ
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 19, 2015
However since that time, things have taken a bit of a turn and those rivals that were once taunted by Houston took their up on their challenge and things changed dramatically on the way to the 2015 MLB Postseason.
The Astros would finish the season 86-76, going 21-21 since that shot was fired. Unfortunately for them, the Texas Rangers went 28-16 over the final 44 games, winning the division by two games and sending the Astros a statement of their own.
Not only did they come and take the division, they made sure it was on full display on the team’s jumbo tron on Sunday.
https://instagram.com/p/8bqW8blbTL/
The difference between winning the division title and settling for a Wild Card is significant, with the Astros now facing a one-and-done situation should they lose to the New York Yankees on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Rangers get to take on the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Divisional Series later in the week.
It just goes to prove that the internet’s memory is long and complete, and if you run your mouth, you better back it up. The Texas Rangers backed it up, but should these two teams meet again the the American League Championship series, the target will not be on them to own it.
Next: The MLB All-Time 25-Man Roster
More from Houston Astros
- NY Mets: 4 monstrous trade packages for Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer
- MLB Rumors: Willson Contreras trade suitor, Reds surprise move, Giolito war
- MLB standings ordered by hard hit rate: Struggling Cardinals still cracking bats
- MLB Rumors: Yankees, Astros set for trade showdown for big-name bat
- MLB rumors: Justin Verlander buzz, Astros target All-Star, Reds-White Sox deal