Rangers look to restart playoff push tonight vs. Giants (8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
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The Rangers enter the stretch run with the postseason in their sights and multiple ways to get there. But they've got work to do, no matter the path, thanks to a recent skid.
Texas (55-57) is locked in a battle for the division lead in the AL West while also in the mix for a Wild Card spot. As recently as last week, however, the Rangers were in first place by two games. But then they lost five straight, punctuated by a weekend sweep at the hands of the suddenly hot and now-division-leading Astros, sending them into second place and putting them on the outside looking in for the AL Wild Card race.
But tonight, Texas will look to build new momentum and rechart a path to October as it hosts the Giants on ESPN. The Rangers enter the game 2 1/2 games behind the Astros for the division lead and 1 1/2 games out of a Wild Card spot. Their recent slowdown can be attributed to simple math: They've allowed more runs than they've scored of late.
Since the All-Star break, the Rangers have averaged 4.13 runs per game, which ranks 16th in the Majors. Meanwhile, they've allowed 5.44 runs per game on average, the third-most in the bigs. Hence their 6-10 record since the break.
And despite ongoing strong seasons from the likes of designated hitter Joc Pederson (.850 OPS) and outfielder Wyatt Langford (.819 OPS), it's not been enough to overcome Texas' pitching, which has been among baseball's worst in the second half. In fact, the Rangers' 5.72 ERA since the All-Star break is MLB's second-highest.
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It's possible the Rangers' roster looks different by gametime, as their losing streak could push the front office into more of a seller's mindset as the 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline approaches. Either way, the next week or so of games will carry huge importance if Texas plans to make a fresh run at a postseason spot.
Meanwhile, it's been a disappointing season for the Giants, who enter the game in fourth place in the NL West and well below .500. But they also could look different after the Trade Deadline, as they have a few players -- most notably outfielder Heliot Ramos and second baseman Luis Arraez -- who've drawn interest from contenders.
The Rangers could again find it difficult to score many runs, given that they'll face San Francisco righty Logan Webb (6-7, 3.93 ERA), who's coming off a six-inning, two-earned-run outing against the Brewers last week -- Webb's 12th quality start of the season.
Texas has not yet named its starter.