Rangers won’t let bad blood alter their focus

ARLINGTON — It’s been nearly five months since Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor landed the punch on Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista that stood as one of the most iconic images of the regular season.

The Rangers have surely not forgotten the bad blood between the two teams, which stemmed from Bautista’s bat flip that signaled the end of the Rangers’ postseason run in Game 5 of last year’s American League Division Series, which begins on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. CT on TBS in the United States and Sportsnet (English) and TVA (French) in Canada. But they’re not willing to let extracurriculars get in the way of this year’s ALDS.

“This is the playoffs; we’re not going to be thinking about what’s happened before,” third baseman Adrian Beltre said. “Our mindset is on winning ballgames, and I think their’s should be, too. I don’t think anyone wants to jeopardize the playoffs because of what happened before.”

Game Date Time Matchup TV Gm 1 Oct. 6 4:30 p.m. TOR @ TEX TBS/SN/TVA Gm 2 Oct. 7 1 p.m. TOR @ TEX TBS/SN/TVA Gm 3 Oct. 9 7:30 p.m. TEX @ TOR  TBS/SN/TVA *Gm 4 Oct. 10 TBD TEX @ TOR TBS/SN/TVA *Gm 5 Oct. 12 TBD TOR @ TEX TBS/SN/TVA *- If necessary | All times listed ETShop for postseason gear: Rangers • Complete Postseason coverage

Beltre’s opinion was echoed throughout the Rangers’ clubhouse.

“For sure, playing those guys again and beating them would be sweet,” said shortstop Elvis Andrus, who committed two crucial errors in Game …

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