The Rangers are guaranteed at least one more game. With the Astros' loss to the Angels on Thursday, Texas clinched at least a tie for first place in the American League West.
Texas can clinch the division Friday with a win over the A's in Oakland or with losses by the Astros and Mariners.
In the unlikely event the Rangers were to lose all their remaining games and the Astros won out, they would play a one-game tiebreaker -- Game 163 -- to decide the winner of the division. The Rangers dominated the season series between these in-state rivals, 15-4, and would host a potential tiebreaker game.
While also unlikely, if the Rangers were to lose all their remaining games and the Mariners won out, they would finish tied for the division. With a 12-7 record against Seattle this season, Texas would host a potential tiebreaker game. The Astros and Mariners play each other Sept. 26-28, so they couldn't both tie the Rangers.
Up next for Texas is a three-game series in Oakland. The Rangers then return to Arlington for their final six-game homestand against the Brewers and Rays.