At this point, you just expect the Rangers to lose. The players seem to be playing that way as well. “Let’s get through these nine innings and get this season over with.”
This team is in a tailspin that even three upcoming games against the White Sox at the end of the month might not solve.
Forget winning the division. Forget wild cards. Texas is 2.5 games from last place in the American League West. They are authoring one of the biggest collapses the year after a World Series win of all time. In fact, there’s a very real chance that when the Rangers face the White Sox for three games in Chicago on August 27, they will be the two teams with the worst records in the American League.
Forget winning the division. Forget wild cards. Texas is in real danger of losing 90 games this season. They are 4-11 in August, with no relief in site.
Last year wasn’t a fluke. They did, after all, have six players on the All-Star team playing at the same time, five of whom started. Last year was no fluke. But it was an aberration.
2018, under .500.
2019, under .500
2020, under .500
2021, under .500
2022, under .500
2023, won World Series.
2024, under .500.
Chris Young will go into the offseason (that’s assuming Rangers ownership extends his contract, something that to the embarrassment of the franchise has not yet happened) realizing that he has a team that cannot win. Just like last year was not a fluke, this year was not a fluke either.
The Rangers are not a great team. And don’t be fooled There aren’t just one or two holes to fill. There are more holes than a public golf course. Offense, bullpen, and rotation. Will ownership allow the General Manager (whoever it is) the financial runway to get it done? Doubtful.
Last year was magical. Last year was impossible. Last year was last year.
This year is the six years before last year. This year is the Texas Rangers.
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TODAY’S GAME: