The 2024 edition of one of the best in-state rivalries in Major League Baseball is underway. It features the two most recent World Series winners, with the Texas Lottery fittingly sponsoring the 13-game series.
The Silver Boot Series between the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers began April 5 at Globe Life Field. Following the three-game series in Arlington, the spotlight moves to Minute Maid Park for games hosted by the Astros on April 12-14.
Robert Rivera, chairman of the Texas Lottery Commission, said his organization is excited to host the series.
“The Texas Lottery is thrilled to return as the presenting sponsor of the Silver Boot Series and be a part of one of the fiercest rivalries in all of baseball. Collaborating with the Rangers and Astros weaves the Texas Lottery into the patchwork of Texas, igniting passion among fans and lottery players statewide and making every game in this rivalry a jackpot of excitement. We are looking forward to a great season.”
Rangers hold a slight lead in Silver Boot Series
The Silver Boot Series is one of the most popular rivalry contests in the MLB. The only thing that would make it more exciting is if fans could place wagers on the games. Unfortunately, legal Texas sports betting is still prohibited. The soonest sports betting could be legalized is in 2025.
It’s been a storied series between the American League West rivals. According to an MLB website article, “through 23 years of regular-season matchups, the Rangers hold the all-time Silver Boot Series lead, 134-132.”
Of course, the teams also had a notable recent post-season tilt for the AL Championship last fall. The Rangers prevailed in a seven-game series in which the road team, strangely, won all seven matches. That’s even more unusual considering that the Astros took 2023’s Silver Boot Series by a healthy 9-4 margin.
The Rangers went on to best the Arizona Diamondbacks in five games, winning the World Series and keeping the trophy in Texas. The Astros won the World Series in 2022, five years after their first (and controversial) title in 2017.
Texas Lottery has contributed more than $32M to public education
As part of Texas Lottery’s sponsorship deal, according to the article, it will receive in-stadium branding at Globe Life Field during all Silver Boot Series games. It will also host ticket giveaways and unique experiences for fans.
The Texas Lottery – since selling its first ticket in 1992 – “has generated more than $38 billion in revenue for the state and distributed more than $85 billion in prizes to lottery players,” according to the MLB article.
“Since 1997, the Texas Lottery has contributed $32.5 billion to the Foundation School Fund, which supports public education in Texas.
“As authorized by the Texas Legislature, certain Texas Lottery revenues benefit state programs including the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance. Since the first veterans’ themed scratch ticket game was launched in 2009, the Texas Lottery has contributed more than $231 million for programs supporting Texas veterans.”
Image Credit: Tony Gutierrez / AP Images
