Texas Rangers Face Immense Challenge in Pursuit of Postseason Berth
The Texas Rangers, while short in some areas, have not lacked an internal confidence in their abilities to beat the odds, conventional thought, and historical precedence this season. They believed that their rotation could maintain its early dominant pace, that their offense would resurrect itself after a dismal start, and that a host of anonymous newcomers could carry the team while high-profile stars sat injured.
They may still believe that the postseason is a viable destination after floundering in a key series against the Houston Astros. Their tone, though, has shifted into a sullen recognition of the immense challenge that they now face to have a shot at October baseball, and the probability that will work against them.
Current Standing and Challenges Ahead
“I don’t really know exactly where we stand,” outfielder Wyatt Langford said Wednesday night after a 5-2 loss at Daikin Park, “but I’m sure we probably have to win pretty much every game.” Not quite, but close. The Rangers now trail the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners by 4.5 games for the American League’s third wild card berth with nine games left to play in the regular season.
Their three-game series against the Astros represented the last-best opportunity to handle their own business. The Rangers could’ve at least leapfrogged the Astros had they swept or kept pace with the pack had they won two of three; instead, the Astros mowed them down, claimed the Silver Boot Series trophy again, and are first place in the AL West.
Mathematical Chances and the Path Forward
“It is tough because it’s the last time you face them and that’s who you’re chasing,” third baseman Josh Jung said. “But we’re not out of it.” Mathematically, no, they are not. But, as manager Bruce Bochy said Wednesday night, “that margin of error has gotten real small.”
“We know our backs are to the wall,” Bochy said. “That’s how we have to look at it.” The Rangers are eliminated from playoff contention if they win three or fewer of their next nine games, regardless of what the rest of the field does. Four wins in that stretch do not guarantee much, either, because the Mariners hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.
The Rangers hold the same advantage over the Red Sox, at least, but must also deal with the Cleveland Guardians, who sit between them and the final playoff spot. Even five or six wins would require significant meltdowns from their competitors.
The Need for Perfection and Help from Others
If the Rangers were to win all nine games, as Langford suggested, they’d still need help. The Red Sox would need to go 5-5 or worse for the Rangers to finish above them in that instance. The Mariners would need to go 4-6 or worse for the Rangers to finish above them. The Guardians would need to finish 8-3 or worse and lose one of the three games that they’ll play vs. the Rangers to avoid any tiebreaker drama on that front.
“We kind of have to play perfect on the way out just to have a fighting chance,” designated hitter Joc Pederson said. “It is what it is. We’ve got to move forward and learn from it. It sucks.”
Upcoming Games and the Final Push
They’ll move forward Friday when the out-of-contention Miami Marlins arrive at Globe Life Field. That’s the start of a six-game home stand, which also includes a Minnesota Twins team that has been among baseball’s worst since their fire sale at the July 31 trade deadline.
It’s a window that the Rangers must capitalize on to have a chance. Even that may not be enough. “We’ve just got to go out there and win games,” right-handed pitcher Jacob deGrom said. “Try to win the rest of them.”
Conclusion
The Texas Rangers face a daunting task in their pursuit of a postseason berth. With a tough schedule ahead and limited margin for error, they must win almost every game and hope for significant meltdowns from their competitors. The next few games will be crucial in determining their fate, and the team must capitalize on the upcoming home stand to keep their playoff hopes alive.
FAQs
Q: What is the current standing of the Texas Rangers in the American League wild card race?
A: The Rangers trail the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners by 4.5 games for the American League’s third wild card berth with nine games left to play in the regular season.
Q: What do the Rangers need to do to make the playoffs?
A: The Rangers need to win almost every game and hope for significant meltdowns from their competitors, including the Red Sox, Mariners, and Guardians.
Q: What is the significance of the upcoming home stand for the Rangers?
A: The upcoming home stand is crucial for the Rangers, as they must capitalize on the six-game home stand to keep their playoff hopes alive. The home stand includes games against the Miami Marlins and the Minnesota Twins.
