Introduction to the Lone Star Series
The Lone Star Series between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros is still a relatively new rivalry when compared to some of baseball’s best and most heated feuds. Even then, the battle for the Silver Boot trophy has developed into one of the top rivalries in the sport. The teams first met in interleague play back in June of 2001. What was an entertaining interleague rivalry became a divisional beef when Houston moved from the National League to the American League and became the fifth member of the AL West in 2013.
History of the Rivalry
From that point on, the rivalry has kicked up a notch. The Astros were mired in one of their worst stretches in franchise history when they initially joined the AL West. In fact, Texas won 17 of the 19 division games against Houston in 2013, sealing the Rangers’ seventh straight Silver Boot.
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Shift in Dominance
In the mid-2010s, as the Rangers’ run of success came to an end and the Astros’ extended run began, things turned to Houston. The Astros claimed the Silver Boot each year from 2017-24, except for a 5-5 tie in 2020. The only other exception with Houston’s ownership of the Silver Boot during that span: the 2023 ALCS. In what was the most memorable moment for the rivalry to date, the teams finished tied for the AL West crown, but Houston won with the head-to-head tiebreaker. The two rivals wound up facing off in the ALCS, which went all the way to Game 7 and ended with the Rangers punching their ticket to the World Series in the Astros’ home park.
The Silver Boot Trophy
The Silver Boot trophy sits on display at the Globe Life Park in Arlington, Tuesday, April 19, 2016 before the opening game with the Houston Astros. The Texas Rangers took the series from the Astros last year and the boot.
Recent Success
Texas went on to win the 2023 World Series just a year after Houston claimed the 2022 World Series. Factor in Houston’s 2017 World Series win and two other World Series trips in 2019 and 2021, and it’s been a good run of baseball in the state of Texas. As the Rangers and Astros begin a three-game set that will be crucial to both the AL West and AL wild card race, Texas has a chance to win the Silver Boot for the first time since 2016. The Rangers lead the series 6-4 and just need to win one game in Houston to clinch it.
Head-to-Head History
With that history lesson in mind, here’s how the Rangers and Astros stack up against each other in their head-to-head history since the rivalry began in 2001. Find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here. Click or tap here to sign up for our Rangers newsletter.
Conclusion
The Lone Star Series is a testament to the exciting baseball that can be found in the state of Texas. With both the Rangers and Astros experiencing periods of dominance, the rivalry has become one of the most compelling in the sport. As the two teams continue to battle for the Silver Boot, fans can expect intense and thrilling matchups that will keep them on the edge of their seats.
FAQs
Q: When did the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros first meet in interleague play?
A: The teams first met in interleague play back in June of 2001.
Q: What is the Silver Boot trophy?
A: The Silver Boot trophy is awarded to the winner of the Lone Star Series between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros.
Q: Which team has dominated the rivalry in recent years?
A: The Astros have claimed the Silver Boot each year from 2017-24, except for a 5-5 tie in 2020.
Q: What was the most memorable moment in the rivalry to date?
A: The most memorable moment in the rivalry to date was the 2023 ALCS, which went all the way to Game 7 and ended with the Rangers punching their ticket to the World Series in the Astros’ home park.
Q: How can I stay up-to-date on the latest news and coverage of the Rangers and Astros?
A: You can find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here, and sign up for our Rangers newsletter by clicking or tapping here.
