The rivalry between the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers has picked up in intensity in recent years, especially with the Rangers’ rise in success during the 2023 season. The winner of the regular season series is awarded the Silver Boot, which honors the best baseball team in Texas.
Why Astros’ Dominance Over the Rangers in Silver Boot Series will Continue
The Astros just wrapped up their 2025 season series against the Rangers with a sweep at home, securing their ninth consecutive Silver Boot. Houston has owned the Lone Star Series, as it’s called, over the past decade, aside from the 2023 ALCS loss.
This year, it looked like the streak might end as the Astros were down 4-6 through the first 10 games. The only path to another Silver Boot was a sweep in the final series this past week. That is exactly what happened as the Astros won 6-3 on Monday, edged them 6-5 on Tuesday, and closed with a 5-2 win on Wednesday to keep the boot in Houston another year.
In the last nine years, the Astros have a 93-51 record over the Rangers. Their golden era began in that stretch while the Rangers endured rough seasons. The last two seasons have been tighter.
Even in 2024, the Astros won the season series 7-6 after winning the last two games on the road. 2023 was the most interesting year between these two teams, as the Astros dominated the regular season 9-4 but lost the ALCS 3-4, with the road team winning every game.
After all the recent Astros’ dominance of the past decade, the all-time series between these teams is now tied at 146-146. The Rangers were the team that won during the early 2010s during the Astros’ rebuild.
Why the Astros’ Silver Boot dominance is likely to continue
Besides the one odd year of 2023, the Rangers have not even made the postseason since 2016, and, likely, they won’t make it again this season. The Astros remain consistent, and there’s little reason to doubt their future success.
One reason for the Astros’ dominance is the star players who always show up during the Lone Star series. Jose Altuve has dominated the Rangers, and he isn’t slowing down or going anywhere. In his 205 career regular-season games against Texas, Altuve has 241 hits with a .298 average and .867 OPS.
The two-time World Series champion and nine-time All-Star has crushed 37 home runs and 100 RBIs against the state rival, a big contributor to the Astros’ success over the Rangers this decade. He even delivered the go-ahead homer in Game 5 of the ALCS.
Play it back.
pic.twitter.com/UbH9pHwlev
— Houston Astros (@astros) February 7, 2024
In 117 career games, Carlos Correa has 124 hits and a .275 average with an .846 OPS. The Platinum Glove winner has 22 homers and 74 RBIs in that span.
The Astros love making MLB history vs the Rangers in June.
June 15th, 2022 – Two immaculate innings in the same game.
June 15th and 16th, 2021 – Altuve becomes first player to have a walk-off grand slam and then hit a leadoff homer the next game. pic.twitter.com/HUcDTMESWe
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) June 16, 2022
Yordan Alvarez, one of the most fearsome sluggers in the game, crushes Texas pitching. The big man has 72 hits in 66 games vs Texas with 19 home runs and 47 RBIs. Alvarez hits almost a .300 average and 1.000 OPS, showing how much he loves to play for the Rangers.
Even 2022 World Series MVP Jeremy Peña has 54 hits in 49 games against Texas, along with a .283 batting average.
On the mound, young Astros ace Hunter Brown has a 2.82 ERA vs the Rangers in 51 innings. Cristian Javier has a 7-1 record against Texas in his career.
None of these stars is going anywhere soon.
Road warriors
Houston has been able to play really well on the road in hostile environments. Those boos and jeers give them an extra edge that allows them to silence crowds. Globe Life Field in Arlington is no exception. The rivalry isn’t cooling off anytime soon, so expect the same kind of welcome going forward.
The Astros are a dominant 46-27 in Arlington vs the Rangers. It nearly matches their home record of 47-24 over the last nine years.
Overall, the Astros’ proven record of winning, unlike the Rangers’, star players who step up against Texas, and their ability to thrive on the road in Arlington make it likely their Silver Boot dominance will continue.
Main Photo Credits: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
The post Why Astros Dominance Over Rangers in Silver Boot Series will Continue appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.