The Rangers celebrate after defeating the Astros 11-4 to advance to the World Series. (0:35)
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Longtime rivals as part of the “Lone Star Series,” the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers squared off for the first time in the postseason in the 2023 American League Championship Series.
Bolstered by Adolis Garcia’s historic ALCS performance, the Rangers stamped their ticket to the World Series by downing their familiar foe in Game 7.
This series joined a long list of memorable in-state playoff matchups. The NHL alone has had 52 total series between teams from the same state or province. There have been multiple World Series between teams that are mere miles away. In the 2023 NBA playoffs, there were two in-state playoff matchups.
Here are some of the most notable playoff series with teams not so far away from each other:
MLB
2020 NLDS: Dodgers def. Padres (California)
The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres met for the first time in the playoffs in 2020 despite playing in ballparks separated by only 124 miles. The Dodgers won the series 3-0, but it started a mini rivalry. San Diego got revenge in the 2022 NLDS, defeating Los Angeles 3-1.
2002 World Series: Angels def. Giants (California)
The first and only World Series title for the Los Angeles Angels came against the San Francisco Giants. Northern California battled Southern California in a seven-game series, with the Angels coming out victorious.
2000 World Series: Yankees def. Mets (New York)
Deemed the “Subway Series,” the New York Yankees defeated the New York Mets in five games to win their 26th World Series. AP Photo/Bill Kostroun
The New York Yankees won their 26th World Series championship against the New York Mets, whose ballpark is just 10 miles away from Yankee Stadium.
This was the first Subway Series in the World Series since 1956, when the Yankees faced the Brooklyn Dodgers.
1989 World Series: Athletics def. Giants (California)
In one of the most bizarre moments in baseball history, an earthquake just before Game 3 halted the series for 10 days. The Oakland Athletics ended up sweeping the San Francisco Giants for the franchises’ only World Series meeting.
Oakland Coliseum and Candlestick Park were 22 miles away from each other.
NBA
2023 Western Conference semis: Lakers def. Warriors (California)
The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors have faced off eight times in the NBA playoffs, most recently in 2023. Harry How/Getty Images
In the eighth playoff meeting between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers continued their dominance over their in-state rivals.
Los Angeles has lost only one series when facing the Warriors — the 1967 West semifinals. The two franchises met seven times in the playoffs between 1967 and 1991 before a 32-year drought.
2023 Western Conference first round: Warriors def. Kings (California)
Though their arenas are only two hours away from one another, the Warriors and Sacramento Kings had never faced off in the playoffs until this year.
The series lived up to the hype, with Golden State winning in seven games, including Stephen Curry dropping 50 points in Game 7.
2019 Western Conference first round: Warriors def. Clippers (California)
The Warriors have been part of many in-state series, and though their history with the LA Clippers is scarce, their playoff matchups have been memorable.
In 2019, the eighth-seeded Clippers won two games against the Warriors, including LA’s 31-point comeback in Game 2. Golden State ended up winning the series in six games.
2014 Western Conference first round: Spurs def. Mavs (Texas)
The San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks faced off six times between 2001 and 2014, creating a Lone Star State rivalry that became a staple of the NBA playoffs.
Four of those six matchups went at least six games, including seven games in 2014, which the Spurs won. In 36 total playoff games, the Spurs have a slight four win edge.
NHL
2018 Eastern Conference first round: Penguins def. Flyers (Pennsylvania)
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers have met seven times in the playoffs, with the Flyers winning four of those matchups. Pittsburgh won in six games in 2018, adding another chapter in a storied history.
2014 Western Conference second round: Kings def. Ducks (California)
The lone series between the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks went seven games in 2014. Jeff Gross/Getty Images
The Freeway Faceoff lived up to the hype in 2014.
The Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings series went seven games, with the Kings coming out on top. The two teams, who play just 40 miles from one another, haven’t played each other in the playoffs since.
1994 Eastern Conference semis: Rangers def. Islanders (New York)
One of the most historic rivalries in the NHL, the New York Rangers and New York Islanders have faced off eight times in the playoffs, the most between in-state or in-province teams.
The teams matched up four times in a row between 1981 and 1984, with the Islanders winning each time. The Rangers got revenge in 1994, the last time the Battle of New York series occurred.
NFL
2021 NFC Championship: 49ers def. Rams (California)
The Bay Area-Southern California battles are a common theme among all major professional sports.
With a spot in the Super Bowl in the balance, the Los Angeles Rams defeated the San Francisco 49ers at home in the 2021 NFC Championship. It was just the second time the two sides have faced off in the playoffs.
1999 AFC divisional: Jaguars def. Dolphins (Florida)
The one and only playoff matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins is one the Dolphins may want to forget. The Jaguars won 62-7 in Dan Marino’s final NFL game.
Super Bowl XXIX: 49ers def. Chargers (California)
The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers in the 1995 Super Bowl, the lone playoff meeting between the two. AP Photo/Susan Walsh
The 49ers won their fifth Super Bowl against the Los Angeles Chargers in another California matchup. The Chargers and San Francisco have yet to play again in the playoffs.
Super Bowl XXV: Giants def. Bills (New York)
It’s a matchup that’s been played multiple times in the regular season, but just once in the playoffs. The New York Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills for their second ever Super Bowl title — and the second of four straight Super Bowl losses for the Bills.
Data from ESPN Stats & Information was used in this article.
Rangers’ ALCS victory over Astros joins top in-state playoff meetings
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