Half of the 2023 World Series is set, as the Texas Rangers punch their ticket in a Game 7 fashion. The Rangers beat the Houston Astros 11-4, in Houston, to clinch the American League pennant.

Championship Series - Texas Rangers v Houston Astros - Game Seven
Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images
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While the series was relatively close, Game 7 was not. The Rangers blew the doors off the Astros, starting early, and not letting up.

The Ranger jumped out to a 3 run lead in the top of the first, and Houston was able to put one up to counter in the bottom of the inning. In the third inning, the Rangers added another run to reestablish a three run lead in the top of the inning, but Houston matched again in the bottom of the frame.

Once the fourth inning started, the Rangers went off...

At that point, the Rangers were moving into unstoppable territory. They continued to pile on, and the Astros were clearly rattled. In the 6th inning, the Astros pulled an interesting move.

Relief pitcher Bryan Abreu was suspended by Major League Baseball after intentionally throwing at Rangers star Adolis Garcia in Game 6 of the series. Abreu appealed his suspension, and MLB upheld it. However MLB won't suspended him until the first 2 games of the 2024 season. Meaning Abreu could pitch in Game 7...which he did.

When Abreu came in to pitch, this happened...

While the Fox broadcasters played it off like it was an accident, this almost seemed like an on-purpose accident so Abreu could feign an accident. Eventually the Fox broadcast did point out that Abreu almost never hit a right handed batter until these last two games. Maybe it will help the opinion of Abreu for some moving forward, but its fishy at best.

At the end of the night, the Rangers win. So the Abreu antics won't matter until next year.

Now the Rangers wait to see who will win the National League Championship Series, which has also moved to a Game 7 between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Winner will meet the Rangers for the World Championship.

Texas Rangers Win 2023 ALCS

Gallery Credit: Getty Images

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