Three against the Marlins. Three against the Twins. Three against the Guardians.

At first blush you think these nine games mean nothing. They don’t mean much

The first six games are meaningless contests against under .500 teams. The last three, the Rangers could play spoiler. Cleveland is breathing down that final wild card slot, where Texas was last week before losing four in a row and talking themselves out of contention.

There’s also the fact that with seventy-nine wins and nine games left to play—six against under .500 teams—the Rangers should finish above .500. After all, they need to win just three more games to accomplish that.

But it might surprise you what these final nine games could do. Bruce Bochy’s career managerial record is 2250-2259. Hard to believe but the guy with four World Series titles is under .500 for his career.

By nine games. 

When the Rangers coaxed him out of retirement, it was for three seasons. This is the end of this third.

It’s all too perfect that the Texas Rangers could help Bruce Bochy ride off into the sunset with 2259 wins and 2259 losses.

At least the Rangers have something to play for. And Rangers fans have a reason to keep watching.

Here’s hoping Bruce Bochy is back in the Rangers dugout in 2026. If not, he retires even. 

*****