Said a couple weeks ago that the Rangers were going to at least make August interesting.
Make that September.
And, who knows, maybe October?
After taking three of four from the Tigers over the weekend, the Rangers have thrust themselves smack dab into the middle of playoff-chase baseball. On Saturday they leap-frogged the Angels for the AL’s second Wild Card spot and are only four back of the Astros in the AL West with 25 percent (39 games) of the regular season left.
They’re now at home this week for games against the Blue Jays and Orioles. Oh, and remember not long ago when the Rangers struggled in Arlington? In their last 14 at Globe Life Park – since that embarrassing 21-5 blowout loss to the Yankees – they are 12-2 and have outscored opponents, 82-54.
As we creep toward the final month of the season, the Rangers actually have a shot. All credit to manager Jeff Banister for holding this thing together. Because a lot of us – finger pointed at me – figured the Spring Training injuries to Yu Darvish, Derek Holland and Jurickson Profar were a death knell.
But in their final 39 they’ve got seven against both the Angels and Astros. They have a chance for post-season baseball.
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That, in and of itself, is a victory for this team.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
