Astros, Rangers to begin 2013 MLB season on ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball"

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 3, 2013) It is being reported at ESPN.com that the Houston Astros will kickoff its 2013 season in the American League playing the Texas Rangers on ESPN "Sunday Night Baseball."

The three-game series, which will begin the season for both teams, will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday after a day off on Monday.

The Astros were originally scheduled to have opening day on April 2.

The Astros and Rangers had played each other for many years during inter-league play, but the 2013 kickoff series will be the first of 19 times the two teams will face each other.

The two teams will meet 10 times at Minute Maid Park and nine times at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

They have faced each other 72 times in the past during the Lone Star Series.

The Rangers won 42 of the games while the Astros came out on top in 20 of the games.