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ARLINGTON, Texas -- Football reigns in Texas, where communities build $60 million high school stadiums and worship 16-year-old quarterbacks.In Texas, its about Friday nights in places such as Stephenville and La Grange. Its about Saturdays in Austin and College Station, and its about Sunday afternoons in Dallas and Houston.But the start of NFL training camps no longer coincides with the unofficial end of baseball interest in Dallas and Houston. These days, baseball matters in September and October.The Texas Rangers have the American Leagues best record and the second-best record in baseball. The Houston Astros have a roster filled with young players such as Carlos Correa, George Springer and Jose Altuve, who each figure to play in numerous All-Star games.I dont know that both clubs have been at this level ever before at the same time, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. When it matters to both teams, thats when its really fun.The Rangers and Astros have shared the AL West the past four seasons, but last year marked the first time both clubs could be considered contenders. The Rangers rallied from an eight-game deficit in August to win the division.On Sunday, the teams will conclude a three-game series in Arlington. The Rangers have won the series first two games, increasing their division lead over the Astros to 10? games. The Astros are four games behind in the AL wild-card race.The heightened awareness that comes around September, the excitement that comes with it, the stress ... its why we play, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said.Texas has beaten Houston in 13 of 15 games this season and 21 of 25 dating back to last season, when the Rangers won the division. The Rangers have won six one-run games against the Astros and three others by two runs. The Astros entered this series with 10 wins in their past 12 games to pull within 8? games. The Rangers bullied Houston in the series first two games, scoring 22 runs and leading each game by at least eight runs.In these learning lessons that are going on now, in the heat of a pennant race in September when a lot of these guys are at the end of their gas tank, its a growth opportunity for them, Hinch said. But its also important that we find a way to navigate through some of these troubles because were going to need the younger guys to adapt.This rivalry is still in its infancy -- even though the teams have played a number of interleague games over the years -- because the Astros played in the National League from 1962 to 2012.For now, fans give the rivalry life because the cities have a natural rivalry. Dallas brags about the Cowboys Super Bowl trophies, while Houston gloats about the Rockets basketball titles.A four-hour drive up or down I-45 or a one-hour flight is all that separates the cities, and visiting fans tend to regularly invade the home teams ballpark.The rivalrys intensity should continue to increase because each franchise should be good for years. Texas has won at least 87 games six of the past seven years, and it has been to the playoffs four of the past six seasons, making consecutive World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011.Houston, which made the playoffs in 2015, doesnt have that type of pedigree. Last season was the first time the Astros finished above .500 since 2008, but all those poor seasons positioned the Astros to draft a wave of stars. Those players are finally getting to the big leagues, and it has put the Astros in a position to be among the best teams in the AL for the next several years.Its alive, Texas manager Jeff Banister said of the rivalry. It may mean a little more to me than some: Im a Texas kid. Growing up in Houston and getting to manage the Texas Rangers, for me, youre asking a guy who probably has a little more invested in this than some.The players they have are young; its an energetic, very talented group that loves to play the game. You see the similarities in their players and our players in ability and how much they love to play the game and the excitement they play with.In 2015, both teams finished above .500 for the first time as members of the American League. That July, Texas Rougned Odor and Houstons Hank Conger had a heated argument at the plate that resulted in both dugouts emptying and the managers screaming at each other.Two months ago, the Double-A affiliates for each club were involved in a bench-clearing brawl that lasted 11 minutes and resulted in three ejections.Were still developing our rivalry, said Astros third base coach Gary Pettis, a coach with the Rangers for several seasons before joining the Astros last year.Right now, its probably more about the cities than the teams, but as we continue to improve, itll get more intense. Its a great opportunity for our players. You want to play games in September that mean something. Cheap Michael Jordan Jersey . Brad Jacobs and his Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., team took control of the game early. Michael Jordan Jersey Washington Wizards . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. https://www.sportsstarsjerseys.com/michael-jordan-jersey/ . The winner Saturday will remain in the elite 10-team field next year. "We talked about wanting to be disciplined and stick with our game plan and good things will come," Draisaitl said, who had two goals for the victors. Michael Jordan Jersey Chicago Bulls . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside. Authentic Tom Brady Jersey . The recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug. NEW YORK -- Even though they let a win get away Wednesday night, the Boston Red Sox locked up something more important. And as far as they were concerned, an AL East title was certainly worth celebrating.Boston clinched the division championship despite wasting a three-run lead in the ninth inning of a 5-3 loss to the Yankees. David Ortiz and the Red Sox, who last weekend secured at least a wild-card spot in the playoffs, were assured the crown when Baltimore rallied for a 3-2 win at second-place Toronto nearly 30 minutes before New York completed its comeback against Craig Kimbrel (2-5) and Joe Kelly.In the end, the one inning, it doesnt take away from 158 games played to date. They should be extremely proud for winning a very, very difficult division, manager John Farrell said.Though the final score in Toronto was posted on the out-of-town scoreboard for all to see, the Red Sox hardly seemed to notice as players draped their arms over the dugout railing and rooted for Kimbrel in the ninth.Farrell and other Red Sox said they knew the Blue Jays had lost and what that meant, but they were focused on closing out their own game at the time.Red Sox executives, however, jumped out of their front-row seats next to the Boston dugout and rejoiced when the Blue Jays game ended.This is one stop. Weve got a lot of work ahead, Farrell said. Were not done by any means.After winning their eighth AL East title, the Red Sox will open their postseason schedule Oct. 6 seeking a second World Series championship in four years. The teams first opponent has not been determined yet.Its only the beginning. We have to keep pushing, first baseman Hanley Ramirez said.Mark Teixeiras two-out grand slam off Kelly won it for the Yankees, costing Clay Buchholz a win after he allowed just an infield single in six shutout innings.That only stunned the Red Sox for a short time, though. Once they returned to their clubhouse, they regrouped and let loose, dousing each other with beer and bubbly in a typical celebration.So even if they didnt pile onto the field in enemy territory, the Red Sox got their chance to party in the Bronx -- the site of so much Boston heartache throughout its storied rivalry with the Yankees.Of course, there was one glorious moment across the street, when Big Papi and his 2004 teammates overcame a 3-0 deficit to win the AL Championship Series at the old Yankee Stadium. Boston rejoiced and went on to capture its first World Series crown since 1918.With Ortiz nearing retirement after the current season, this division title tasted sweet as well -- especially after the Red Sox completed a worst-to-first turnaround for the second time in five seasons.dddddddddddd After winning the 2013 World Series, Boston finished last twice in a row.I think we can definitely use this as a stepping stone. But this is step 1, outfielder Mookie Betts said. Weve got to win a World Series and once we get there, everybody will know who the Red Sox are.No matter what happens from here, this year has become much more than a farewell tour for Ortiz. The 40-year-old franchise icon is enjoying one of his biggest seasons at the plate, joined by steady veterans like Ramirez and Dustin Pedroia mixed with blossoming young stars in Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr.This is a pretty dynamic team in terms of homegrown players at various stages of their career that are coming together to be a very successful team, Farrell said before the game.Rick Porcello (22 wins) and free-agent prize David Price have solidified the front end of a suspect rotation, with new closer Kimbrel anchoring the bullpen.Boston took control of a wide-open AL East with an 11-game winning streak -- all against division foes -- that ended with Tuesdays defeat at Yankee Stadium.Above and beyond all, this is a team that cares for one another. And I dont say that loosely, Farrell said. Theyre tough, theyre focused, theyre talented, but, like I said, above all, they care for one another in an extraordinary way.Farrell, who took over as manager before the 2013 season, enjoyed a personal triumph with this division title as well: He missed the final 1 1/2 months of last season after he was diagnosed with stage 1 lymphoma.Its been a journey that makes you relish the good times a little bit more. Theyre more meaningful, Farrell said. Theres so much to be fortunate or thankful for. ... Clearly, this puts you in a position to reflect on things differently.The only other time Boston clinched the AL East title away from Fenway Park was at Cleveland in 1988.Now, the Red Sox hope to reach the World Series again -- and set up a potential dream matchup against the Chicago Cubs and former Boston general manager Theo Epstein.You enjoy the night tonight and the accomplishments up to this point, but we still have a lot on our minds and a lot that we want to accomplish, Porcello said. ' ' '