The Rangers won the AL pennant in 2010 and 2011 and failed both times in the World Series. They were a strike away in Game 6 in 2011 against the Cardinals before eventually losing in seven games. Last season looked promising again, but they were swept by the Athletics to end the regular season and had to play a one-game wild-card playoff, which they lost to the Orioles.
The Rangers entered this season as World Series contenders yet again, but it’s been a bumpy road. Two of their best offensive players from a year ago — Josh Hamilton and Mike Napoli — departed in free agency, and the question was who besides Adrian Beltre would pick up the offense?
Nelson Cruz did his part, but he was suspended for 50 games, covering the end of the season, in the Biogenesis scandal. Mitch Moreland (who has career highs in home runs and RBIs) and A.J. Pierzynski have been the answers thus far. With Yu Darvish leading a solid pitching staff, the Rangers could be in the World Series for the third time in four years, if they keep it up.
1) Dodgers (82-55) (1)
On fire again, the Dodgers swept the Padres this weekend and have four starters with 10 or more wins.
2) Red Sox (82-57) (3)
After the Rays had crept up in the AL East, an 8-3 run has given them a 5 1/2-game cushion over the Rays.
3) Braves (84-53) (5)
Crushed the Mets on Labor Day and should clinch the NL East any day now.
4) Tigers (81-57) (2)
Took two of three from the Indians and a series opener from the Red Sox to increase their AL Central Division lead to 7 ½ games.
5) Pirates (79-57) (8)
The Pirates acquired John Buck, Marlon Byrd and Justin Morneau last week, hoping the veterans can lead them into the playoffs for the first time since 1992.
6) Cardinals (79-57) (4)
Lost two of three to the Pirates over the weekend, squandering a chance to take control of NL Central.
7) Rangers (79-58) (7)
In a dead heat atop the AL West after dropping the first game of a huge series with the A’s this week.
8) Athletics (79-58) (11)
Playing well at the right time, winners of seven of eight.
9) Reds (77-61) (9)
Cincinnati has a seven-game lead in the NL wild-card race and a better than 95 percent chance of making the playoffs according to computer simulations.
10) Rays (75-61) (6)
A five-game losing streak certainly doesn’t help their playoff chances.
11) Yankees (73-64) (13)
Andy Pettitte is pitching like he’s 21, not 41, with a 3-0 record allowing three runs in 25 2/3 innings, as the Yankees desperately try to stay in the wild-card race.
12) Orioles (73-63) (12)
The Orioles offense is really struggling, and it starts with home-run leader Chris Davis, who only has one longball in his past 10 games.
13) Royals (71-66) (16)
James Shields is finally getting rewarded in the win column. He’s won four of his past five starts, allowing six combined runs.
14) Indians (72-65) (10)
Lost their Labor Day homecoming to the wild-card rival Orioles after a tough 1-5 road trip last week.
15) Diamondbacks (69-67) (14)
A surprise in the first half, the Diamondbacks have come unglued down the stretch. The good news is they have a young core.
16) Nationals (69-68) (15)
With their playoff hopes dwindling, rallied to beat the Mets on Sunday night – then turned around and lost a series opener to the Phillies.
17) Angels (64-72) (18)
Have a lot of money tied up in future investments including an injured Albert Pujols and a declining Josh Hamilton. Maybe breaking the bank wasn’t the best idea.
18) Mariners (62-75) (19)
Looked like playoff contenders this weekend, but really, so does everyone who plays the Astros.
19) Rockies (65-74) (17)
Congrats to 16-year veteran and lifetime Rockie Todd Helton, who recorded his 2,500th career hit Sunday. Next stop, Cooperstown.
20) Blue Jays (63-75) (23)
Have won six of eight, but 12 games under .500 is not where this team – expected to compete for the AL East title – hoped to be in September.
21) Phillies (63-75) (21)
In 173 at-bats, Darin Ruf has 12 home runs and 62 strikeouts, so it’s pretty much all or nothing with him.
22) Mets (62-74) (22)
No Matt Harvey, no David Wright, no Ike Davis. You thought the summer was long? It’ll be an extra-long September in Flushing.
23) Padres (61-76) (20)
Scored four total runs in a three-game sweep at the hands of the Dodgers, now they’re back in the NL West cellar.
24) Twins (60-76) (25)
Josh Willingham doesn’t have a home run in his past 18 games. He only has 12 this season- a huge drop off from the 35 he had last year.
25) Cubs (58-79) (24)
A win Sunday gave the Cubs two wins in a row for the first time in over three weeks.
26) Giants (61-76) (26)
The Giants missed the playoffs a year after winning the World Series in 2010, and followed that up by winning is all the following year. So, 2014 could be a good year.
27) Brewers (59-78) (28)
The Brewers would be decent if they played all night games. Unfortunately, they’re 14-31 during day games.
28) White Sox (56-80) (27)
They had won five series in a row before a sweep by the Red Sox over the weekend and a Monday blunderfest at Yankee Stadium.
29) Marlins (51-85) (29)
Could actually finish with a worse record than the Astros. But for now, they stay at No. 29.
30) Astros (45-92) (30)
With the Astros long since eliminated from the playoff hunt, the September call-ups should get significant playing time.