It was a very productive night for Elvis Andrus. He created two runs for the Rangers and three for the Mariners.

As the Rangers inch ever so closely to the playoffs, Elvis was already in post-season form last night defensively.

He committed two errors that led to three unearned runs.

On top of that, the Rangers bullpen allowed three earned runs in three innings.

You usually don’t see that much charitable giving until the holiday season. Or October in Toronto.

At the trade deadline, the Rangers couldn’t find a deal for starting pitching they could stomach. So they did something smarter, even if at the time it didn’t seem so.

They just got more offense to bludgeon their opponents to death.

And with this defense and this bullpen, they are going to need all the offense they can get.

Ten runs is often not enough.

Luckily, Elvis made up for it at the plate by going 4-for-6 with three doubles and a home run.

October is a time when two things come back to haunt a team—errors and a bad bullpen. Those are the Rangers two Achilles heels.

The best team in the American League has two gaping holes in its game. Let’s just hope when October comes, the bats are still on fire to make up for it.

*****
TODAY’S GAME:

A. J. Griffin (7-3, 4.41) vs. Ariel Miranda (2-1, 5.76)
Game time: 9:10

Miranda has never faced the Rangers.
How the Mariners hit against Griffin.