Getting swept by the in-state rival Astros will always be particularly annoying for Rangers fans, even when it's clear the two teams are playing at two different levels.
The Astros' four-game sweep this weekend (their first ever against Texas), however, was a good example of why the games, specifically these Silver Boot Series games, can still be heated, emotional and meaningful. Not meaningful, perhaps, for the standings this year, but for the rivalry. Sunday's odd ending which included a game-deciding balk called well after play was stopped, is another fascinating moment in the series and it will be filed away in the memory banks of players (and fans).