Astros Defeat Twins, Advance To ALCS

Manager Dusty Baker Jr. #12 of the Houston Astros celebrates with his team after the victory against the Minnesota Twins in Game Four of the Division Series at Target Field on October 11, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Photo: Stephen Maturen / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images

The Houston Astros are advancing to the American League Championship Series for the seventh straight season.

Houston advanced to the ALCS after defeating the Minnesota Twins in four games in the ALDS. The Astros took down the Twins 3-2 in Game Four on Wednesday. Jose Urquidy earned the victory after striking out six batters and allowing two runs in just under six innings on the mound.

Jose Abreu and Michael Brantley homered and combined to drive in all three runs in the win for Houston. Caleb Thielbar was charged the loss for Minnesota.

The Astros will now take on the AL West rival Texas Rangers in the ALCS.

In the regular season, the Astros went 9-4 against the Rangers, winning seven of the final eight meetings between the clubs. That included a lopsided three-game sweep by the Astros at Globe Life Field in early September in which they outscored the Rangers, 36-10, and bashed 16 home runs.

It is the first time that the two teams have ever gone head-to-head in the postseason.

Hector Neris (L) and Framber Valdez #59 of the Houston Astros celebrate after defeating the Minnesota Twins in Game Four of the Division Series at Target Field on October 11, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Photo: David Berding / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images