It appears in these final handful of games, the Rangers are left playing the unenviable role of spoiler. All they have left is to spoil the chances of other teams’ playoff runs. 

They should be good at it since they spent the first 140 games spoiling the season for themselves and Rangers fans.

But winning two out of three over the Yankees is some small solace, especially how they piled on runs just moments after learning Corey Seager may be lost for the rest of the year, which would be a sad but fitting end to a season that has been lost since June.

The Rangers need to learn exactly how to play the spoiler role, though. In the ninth inning, with a 10-2 lead, they tried really hard to spoil last night’s victory.

If Chris Young comes back next season, his first priority in the offseason, after finding a bona fide bat or two and after finding another starter for the 2025 rotation, has to be the bullpen. This is the second year in a row he has built a bullpen that—frankly, there is no other way to put it other than the inelegant way—sucks.  

Last year the Rangers had the offense to overcome their putrid bullpen. This year, they didn’t. Even an eight-run lead wasn’t safe. Matt Festa got the first two outs in the ninth then walked the next three hitters. Grant Anderson “relieved” him by giving up a grand slam. And just like that it was 10-6. But since you have to leave in a reliever for at least three batters, Bochy had to watch Anderson give up two more singles with the very dangerous Giancarlo Stanton coming up.

That meant he had to bring in the closer, Kirby Yates. Yates got Stanton to fly out on a ball that was over the left field wall but luckily in Wyatt Langford’s glove. 

And the ninth inning was over. The Rangers spoiled the Yankees chances at reclaiming first in the A.L. East. They very nearly spoiled a 10-2 lead. 

*****  
TODAY’S GAME: