The Texas Rangers went 2-5 on the road against the two worst teams in the American League, yet find themselves only a half-game out of the final wild-card spot.
Seven road games against the two worst teams in the American League, an opportunity to make hay in the playoff race, then a six-game homestand to keep the good times rolling. The Texas Rangers couldn’t have asked for a better scenario.
It was right there for them. Four games against the Angels, who entered the series as the worst team in baseball. Then, three games against the A’s, who entered the series as the worst team in baseball.
Instead of coming home Sunday night atop the AL West or with a relatively sizable lead in the wild-card race, the Rangers went 2-5 and lost ground. The offense was inept, and the bullpen couldn’t keep games close. The rotation was OK, for the most part, aside from Jacob deGrom leaving with an injury.
Yeah, that happened, too, two days after Nathan Eovaldi went on the injured list.
And despite all that badness, thanks to the badness of the league, the Rangers are still right in the thick of the playoff race. They are the first team out of the playoffs, but only a half-game behind the Orioles.
It’s hard to believe, but it shouldn’t be anymore. This season has been a showcase of mediocrity across the AL, with only five teams above .500. Six others, including the Rangers, are within 2 1/2 games of the last wild-card spot.
The Rangers certainly don’t pass the eye test as a playoff team, but this season doesn’t pass the eye test as normal. You might not believe it, and the Rangers are probably the only ones who do believe it, but the Rangers are still a contender for the playoffs.
That’s a fact. The media will continue to report that the Rangers are contenders, a mediocre team in contention but contenders nonetheless.
They are 61-64 and off Monday following a West Coast trip that started with a promising extra-innings win last Monday at Anaheim. But the offense disappeared thereafter, scoring more than four runs only once in the next four games, all losses.
Even the hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park in Sacramento couldn’t fix the offense, which scored two, five and two runs in a 1-2 showing against the A’s. Somehow, the Rangers have once again gone into a collective funk at the plate with a few exceptions — Brandon Nimmo remaining steady, Corey Seager showing signs of progress and Jake Burger enjoying a big weekend against the A’s.
The Rangers can’t be blamed for not trying. They added Cody Freeman and Jarred Kelenic, the two hottest hitters at Triple A Round Rock, and could get catcher Danny Jansen back Tuesday from the injured list.
The bullpen logged too many innings and didn’t do a good job of keeping the Angels and A’s from adding to their leads. Jacob Latz was the only reliever who didn’t have any major issues, but he pitched only in the two wins.
The offense’s woes overshadowed some decent work by the rotation, including MacKenzie Gore. He was the starting pitcher in both of the Rangers’ wins. Fellow left-hander Cody Bradford pitched well but lacked run support. Cal Quantrill, filling in for Eovaldi, left his start Tuesday with a lead.
The Wednesday start was the most troubling because deGrom lasted only two innings. He didn’t pitch badly, but he left with right triceps fatigue that has put his next start into question. It very likely won’t be the next time he’s scheduled to pitch, Wednesday, but perhaps over the weekend.
He has not been placed on the IL. Eovaldi was a surprise addition to the IL on Monday with an issue at the back of his elbow. He hasn’t thrown since, and the Rangers aren’t sure when he will throw next.
It’s looking more and more like Jack Leiter will beat Eovaldi back from the IL. Leiter threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings Thursday, reaching 48 pitches, and he could return this week while working on a pitching count.
It’s not May anymore, so regulars need to play and starters have to find a way to make their next outing. Relievers have to be sharp on consecutive days, maybe as many as three straight now with only 37 games remaining.
Even though they aren’t passing the eye test, the Rangers are only a half-game out of the final wild-card spot. They are contenders. That’s how mediocre the AL is this season.
Jeff Wilson, jwilson@alldlls.com
