Let’s go out on a limb here and say the Rangers aren’t winning the A.L. West. Granted, that’s a very short limb, but it’s true. It’s going to be Houston again, barring some major cataclysmic shift in the cosmic universe.

Texas cannot make up any ground on Houston. They were three games behind on May 1. Four behind on June 1. And a whopping nine-and-a-half games behind on July 1. The Astros lost last night, so right now the Rangers are nine games out. That’s difficult for a good team to make up. It will be impossible for a severely flawed team like the Rangers.

Best they can hope for is a wild card. And to be honest, as bad as the Rangers have been, that is very possible. As of right now, the Rangers are just two games away from the Mariners for that third wild card spot. And only the Angels are ahead of them, and only by half-a-game. No matter how bad the Rangers are, the Mariners always fold, and the Angels are cursed with having Arte Moreno as an owner.  

The teams right behind the Rangers are the Red Sox, Twins, Guardians, and Royals. All four teams are bunched up. But they are all struggling more than the Rangers, and in much worse shape.

The American League isn’t strong this year. That will play to the Rangers advantage. There’s a three-way dog fight in the East, with the Blue Jays leapfrogging over the Yankees last night after sweeping New York in a four-game series. That sound you heard in the sky wasn’t from pre-July Fourth fireworks, it was the hearts of Yankees fans breaking because their beloved Bronx Bombers are in a free fall. Nipping at Toronto’s heels are the Tampa Bay Rays, who are now tied with the Yankees. Both Tampa Bay and New York are a game back of Toronto. 

Barring weirdness, the East looks to place three teams in the playoffs. As always, the Central will have one. Detroit is running away with it right now, like Houston is running away with the West. But the battle for second in the West is real, and it’s between three teams. 

As pitiful as they’ve been, the Rangers are in playoff contention. Sure, it would be nice if they could get to .500. They come into this three-game series in San Diego one game under. They keep getting close and sliding back down.

The roster as assembled isn’t good enough to make it, but it’s close. The trade deadline is close, as well. Texas can do it. They just need to play like they can, and for Seattle and Los Angeles to play like they always do.

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