Texas Rangers Celebrate ... Again! View Celebration Gallery, Video After ALDS Sweep
ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers partied hard Tuesday night, but the party was quick.
Players, coaches, and staff celebrated with an intense champagne and beer-soaked party in a special "Celebration Room" on the lower level of Globe Life Field after sweeping the Baltimore Orioles in the ALDS to reach the ALCS for the first time since 2011.
The alcohol showers, however, didn't last long. Players and staff started peeling off to share the 7-1 win with family and friends on the field.
The Rangers open the ALCS on Sunday at either Houston or Minneapolis. The Astros and Twins play Game 4 of their ALDS at 6:07 p.m. Wednesday. The Astros lead the best-of-5 series 2-1.
The Rangers were 4-9 against the AL West rival Astros and 2-5 against the Twins. The Rangers and Astros both finished 90-72 but Houston earned the AL West Division title by virtue of their head-to-head advantage. The Twins won the AL Central with an 87-75 record.
The Rangers' sweep gives them four days off before the ALCS. That could be beneficial because the club had been on the road since Sept. 24 with regular-season series finales at Anaheim and Seattle, before flying cross country to play Tampa Bay in the Wild Card round. After sweeping the Rays, the Rangers flew directly to Baltimore for the ALDS. The Rangers didn't return home to Texas until late Sunday night. They were gone for 14 days.
Game 1: TBA Sunday at Houston or Minneapolis
Game 2: TBA Monday at Houston or Minneapolis
Game 3: TBA Oct. 18 at Globe Life Field
Game 4: TBA Oct. 19 at Globe Life Field
Game 5: TBA Oct. 20 at Globe Life Field
Game 6: TBA Oct. 22 at Houston or Minneapolis
Game 7: TBA Oct. 23 at Houston or Minneapolis
* Games Nos. 5-7 are if necessary
