The Texas Rangers may be sitting two games under .500 at 74-76 with a minus-44 run differential, but the playoff picture around them keeps giving Texas a path. After winning two of three against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix this weekend, the Rangers are still right in the mix in both the AL West and the Wild Card race.
The division standings tightened in Texas’ favor because the Houston Astros were swept by the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Houston is now 75-75, putting the Rangers one game back in the standings. The Astros do own the tiebreaker, though, which means Texas is effectively two games behind the division lead.
Updated AL West standings: Houston Astros, 75-75
Texas Rangers, 74-76, 1.0 game back
Seattle Mariners, 70-80, 5.0 games back
Athletics, 61-89, 14.0 games back
Los Angeles Angels, 56-93, 18.5 games back
The Wild Card race is just as crowded, and Texas has some important leverage there. The Rangers are 2.0 games back in the Wild Card standings, trailing the Toronto Blue Jays, who sit at 75-75.
Texas also holds the tiebreaker over Toronto after sweeping the Blue Jays in four games back in June. The Rangers will host Toronto for three games next weekend, and even a sweep by the Blue Jays would not flip that tiebreaker.
Texas also owns the tiebreaker over the Cleveland Guardians after winning four of six against Cleveland earlier this season.
Updated AL Wild Card standings: New York Yankees, 86-63, +10.5
Boston Red Sox, 82-68, +6.0
Cleveland Guardians, 76-74
Toronto Blue Jays, 75-75, 1.0 game back
Texas Rangers, 74-76, 2.0 games back
The schedule ahead is demanding, starting with a day off Monday before a three-game series against the Red Sox at Globe Life Field on Tuesday. Boston has won seven of its last 10 games. Then comes another three-game set at home against the Blue Jays beginning Friday, and Toronto has won six of its last 10.
If Texas can split those six games, the Rangers should enter the final stretch in decent shape. After that, they’ll host the New York Mets for three games.
The Mets have been playing well lately, but their record still sits at 69-80. Texas will then close the regular season with three games against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis.
The Twins, once seen as a team on the Rangers’ level, have dropped three of their last 10 and are now 70-79.
In Other News...
Rangers Just Caught A Huge Break At The Perfect Time
The Rangers are still hanging around in both the American League West and the Wild Card race, but the margin for error is getting thin as the schedule stiffens. At 74-76, they are about to enter a demanding stretch that includes the Red Sox and Blue Jays, then matchups with the Mets and Twins, so every bit of help matters as Texas tries to keep pace.
One of those breaks is built into the upcoming trip to Boston, where the Rangers will avoid two of the Red Soxs better pitchers. Still, there is no easy landing there because Sonny Gray is lined up for the series finale, and the larger test is whether Texas can take advantage of this opening before the calendar turns even tougher. [Read more 🡒]
Jake Burger Gives Rangers Fans A Reason To Be Proud Beyond Baseball
Jake Burger has given Rangers fans something to feel good about well beyond what happens between the lines. The club nominated its first baseman for the Roberto Clemente Award, baseballs most meaningful honor for humanitarian work, recognizing the way he has used his platform to raise awareness and support for Down syndrome through his charity efforts, including the Burger Family Foundation and work with the Rangers.
Burgers off-field profile has grown alongside his on-field role, and this nomination puts him in a group of players being judged on impact as much as production. The winner will be announced during the World Series, leaving Burger in the conversation for one of the sports most respected accolades and giving Texas another reminder that its reach can extend far past the scoreboard. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Draw A Desperate Red Sox Team With Plenty On The Line
The Red Sox are running out of runway, and the timing of their upcoming series adds another layer to a September stretch already packed with urgency. Boston enters with 12 games left in the regular season and a chance to keep pushing for position in the American League Wild Card race, where it sits at 82-68 and still has ground to make up on the Yankees for the top spot.
Before they turn to a three-game set with the Rays beginning Tuesday, the club has already mapped out its probable starters for the Rangers series, lining up Sandoval, Bennett and Gray. For Texas, it means facing a team that cant afford to waste innings, cant afford many missteps and will treat every game like it has postseason weight. [Read more 🡒]