The Texas Rangers came home from a rough trip with their playoff picture still hanging around, but only barely. At 61-64, they’re three games under .500 and sitting on the outside of both the AL West race and the final American League wild card spot. Even so, the door isn’t shut.
Texas opens a three-game series with the Washington Nationals on Tuesday after an off day, and the numbers leave room for at least a sliver of hope. The Rangers are only two games behind the Astros, who are 63-62, in the division.
That sounds manageable. It also hides how much ground Texas gave away last week.
The Rangers went 2-5 on a road trip that featured two of the three worst teams in the majors by record. A 4-3 trip would have trimmed Houston’s edge.
Instead, Texas let a real chance slip by. Since the Rangers do not hold the tiebreaker over the Astros, they would need to finish one game ahead of Houston to take the division.
Right now, they need three more wins than the Astros the rest of the way because they are two games back after Sunday’s action.
The wild card route may be the cleaner path, though that comes with its own mess. The Yankees and Red Sox are at least five games clear of the pack and appear locked into two of the three spots. That leaves the third berth in a crowded, shaky field.
Baltimore owns the final spot entering Monday at 61-63, but the Orioles are still two games under .500. Texas is just one-half game behind them.
Toronto, Cleveland and Detroit are all one game back, and each is also under .500 at 61-65, 60-64 and 60-64. Minnesota is not far off either at 60-65, sitting 1.5 games behind.
It is, in every sense, a race among teams trying to keep their seasons above water.
Texas will get chances against some of those clubs head-to-head, including the Blue Jays and Twins. If the Rangers are still close when those games arrive, that could matter more than the standings currently suggest.
For now, the best guide is what Texas has done so far at home and on the road. The Rangers are 32-27 at home and 29-37 away from it.
They still have 22 home games and 15 road games left. If they keep winning at the same pace, they would finish 12-10 at home and 7-8 on the road, which would put them at 80-82.
Oddly enough, that might still be enough to sneak into the final wild card spot - or miss it by a game.
In Other News...
USA Today Just Reignited The Globe Life Field Debate
USA Todays latest ballpark rankings have put Globe Life Field back in the spotlight, and not in a flattering way for the Rangers. The home of Texas baseball landed 29th out of 30 major league parks, with the ranking taking aim at the venues atmosphere, its scale and its setting in Arlington, while also acknowledging the stadiums modern amenities.
For Rangers fans, the reaction probably feels familiar because the debate around Globe Life Field has never really gone away. Some still measure it against the clubs previous ballpark, and the new one continues to draw the same kinds of complaints about a lack of mass transit and a playing environment that tends to favor pitchers, even as others appreciate what the park offers on the comfort side. [Read more 🡒]
Jacob deGrom's Rangers Status Just Became A Bigger AL West Story
Jacob deGrom took another step in his recovery Tuesday, getting in a bullpen session as he works back from right triceps fatigue. The Rangers right-hander left his last start early because of the issue, but the latest sign points to progress rather than a setback, which is exactly what Texas wants to see with the race tightening around the division.
For now, deGrom will not take the ball Wednesday, leaving the club to manage one more turn without him. The more important date might be Thursday against the Washington Nationals, where a possible return would give the Rangers a major boost if his arm responds well after the bullpen work. [Read more 🡒]
Cade Cunningham Adds A Surprising Boost To Rangers Playoff Push
As the Rangers remain near the top of the AL West, they have picked up an unusual bit of support from a prominent name far removed from baseball. Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, who owns a minority stake in the club, has already shown plenty of interest in the team since joining the Sportsology Capital Partners group that bought into the franchise in February.
Cunninghams connection has gone beyond paperwork and into the public eye, including a first-pitch appearance at a Rangers game in 2025. He has also offered his thoughts on what the club needs to do to reach the postseason, giving Texas a surprising crossover voice at a time when every bit of momentum matters in a tight playoff race. [Read more 🡒]