The Texas Rangers dominated the Houston Astros 17 games to 2 this season. The Cleveland Indians did the same to the Chicago White Sox. Astros and White Sox players might be in off season counselling over this one. The sight of a Rangers jersey may cause an Astro or two to twitch. Red, white and navy blue may be banned in the south side of Chicago.
The Rangers were 8-1 at home and 9-1 on the road against the Astros. They hit .283/.359/.482 with 25 HR, 117 RBI, 126 R, 16 SB in those 19 games. Other teams hit for higher average but the Rangers put up higher numbers in all the other stats. Division foes Oakland, Seattle and Los Angeles all matched the 19 games against. The Rangers pitching staff posted a 3.49 ERA, 208 K, 1.06 WHIP while allowing a .210 average. Those ranked tenth, first, fourth and third among the 20 teams that played the Astros in 2013.
The Indians were also 8-1 at home and 9-1 on the road against the White Sox. They hit .282/.358/.462 with 25 HR, 113 RBI, 118 R, 18 SB in those 19 games. Only three other teams hit for higher average and they toed or lead all the other stats outright. Division foes Detroit and Minnesota also have played 19 while Kansas City is finishing the season with four more against the White Sox. The Indians pitching staff posted a 2.74 ERA, 152 K, 1.19 WHIP while allowing a .242 average against. Those ranked sixth, first, ninth and ninth among the 20 teams that played the White Sox in 2013.
The Astros and White Sox have been regulars this season in my weekly Ghost of 1962 series which spot lights how the worst MLB teams are doing. Take the White Sox out of their schedule and the Indians are 71-68. Remove the Astros from the Rangers schedule and they are 70-69. It shows how having a weaker division foe can help pad the record of a team barely above average and keep them in the play off race.
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