World Series 2023 Predictions: Full Schedule and Picks for Fall Classic | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Matthew Barrera
Published Mar 24, 2026
Over in the American League, the Houston Astros found themselves down 2-0 in the championship series extremely quickly, thanks to a powerful Texas Rangers offense that carried over momentum from their divisional series victory over Baltimore.
It would have been easy for the Astros to fold, let the Rangers take a 3-0 lead, and end their dynastic run in pitiful fashion. Instead, they fought back, fueled by an even-keeled locker room that never once considered panicking.
"I said before we left home that when other teams face us, something that characterizes this team is that there is no panic. You see it on everybody's face; there's no panic, there's some confidence there," Yordan Alvarez told reporters.
In Game 3, the Astros looked like the defending world champions, roughing up Max Scherzer to the tune of five earned runs and ultimately putting eight total on the board.
Jose Altuve, a leader in the Houston clubhouse, was a huge part of the team's runaway win.
After a quiet start to the postseason run, Altuve blasted a home run and added a single later, leaving his mark on the game at a time when he needed it.
"You see him look bad on one at-bat and he'll pop you the next at-bat. This guy is one of the best playoff players of all time. We love him. The fans in Houston love him. He's a fan favorite. You enjoy watching him play every day," Astros skipper told the media after the victory.
The Rangers have the bats to hit with Houston all day, but there is something to be said about championship experience, having been in these situations before and thrived. Houston has been here, done this before and the last thing they needed in a series this significant was a glimmer of hope.
They got it and look like a team that can very easily take a second, consecutive game from Texas in the Rangers' stadium.
The Astros, even down 2-0, feel like they have shifted the momentum in their favor. A win in Game 4 and they may very well be a runaway locomotive, setting up a rematch of last year's Fall Classic.
Prediction: Astros in seven
