It's a sad day when one of my favorite writers in the country makes an argument I'm fundamentally opposed to. But, that's what happened when Rob Neyer once again argued that the Astros and Rangers should share the AL West.
↵The other sad thing is I bought the argument. See, the reasons Neyer breaks down for why the Astros and Rangers are not rivals now are exactly what I've said. They just don't play enough to have the same rivalry they do with the Cubs or Cardinals. Part of the reason Houston has rivalries with them, and to a lesser degree with the Braves, is because of all those pennant races and playoff games against them.
↵Putting the Rangers and Astros into a division together wouldn't automatically create a rivalry. Houston would have to get better in a hurry for that to happen. But, over time, that race for the pennant will create real animosity between the two teams. Add to that the geographical rivalry between Houston and Dallas and there really could be something brewing there.
↵I just wish the Astros didn't have to switch leagues for it to happen...
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