After nearly four months in third, the Rangers finally slipped into fourth place.

Nine straight losses have a way of causing seismic shifts like that.

It may not seem like much, third versus fourth, but it’s a blow to the ego of the team. Or, it should be.

Losing 1-0 to a pitcher making his major league debut is another blow to the ego. So is not even getting a baserunner the final four innings. So is losing twelve out of sixteen to Houston. 

The only good thing to come from this late-season collapse is it is a glaring reminder of how much work needs to be done in offseason. A lot.

Nine straight losses have a way of clearing things up.

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