:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47422754/usa-today-8855518.0.jpg)
The time has come. It is ALDS Game 5. It's a bummer that the A's aren't in the postseason this year, but I think we can all agree that we'll have a more pleasant day today because it isn't our Athletics playing Game 5 of an ALDS. Can't help it. Bad memories.
Blue Jays vs. Rangers, winner-take-all
Time: 1:07 p.m. PT
TV: Fox Sports 1 (FS1)
Starters: Marcus Stroman vs. Cole Hamels
I can go either way on this one. The Blue Jays are a lot of fun and it's tough not to root for them, especially since they waited 20 years since their last postseason berth. They also have Josh Donaldson, and I have no reason to root against him. I wish him the best.
On the other hand, that last postseason berth the Jays got? It was back-to-back championships, and they knocked the A's out en route to one of them. The Rangers have never won a World Series, and to make it worse they recently reached the Fall Classic twice in a row only to lose both times in increasingly heartbreaking fashion. Then they lost a Wild Card Game and then a Game 163 tiebreaker the next two years. And then an injury wormhole opened and their entire team was sucked into it for two years after that. And now somehow they're in the playoffs.
They're both good stories. I'm rooting for the Rangers because an all-Texas ALCS would be fun, even though I don't care at all one way or other about the state of Texas. But I won't be the least bit upset if the Blue Jays win. Personally, I can't lose here.
Royals vs. Astros, winner-take-all
Time: 5:07 p.m. PT
TV: Fox Sports 1 (FS1)
Starters: Johnny Cueto vs. Collin McHugh
Root for the Astros because the Royals are gross. Also because it's the Astros, you monster, and they've been through enough.
Root for the Astros so that you don't have to see Jonny Gomes celebrating a Royals victory 12 months after he helped blow our own chance against them in last year's Wild Card Game.
Root for the Astros so that Kelvin Herrera and Yordano Ventura can't play any more ball this year.
Root for the Astros so that Chris Carter can play in an ALCS, along with Scott Kazmir and Pat Neshek and Jed Lowrie.
