Advanced Metrics Suggest Easy Schedule For Rangers

The Texas Rangers haven't played a postseason series since 2011 when they went to their second straight World Series. In 2012, it was over with an AL Wild Card Game loss to Baltimore and last season the Rangers lost to Tampa Bay in a Wild Card play-in game.

If their 2014 schedule is any indication, the Rangers could be in line to break back through and make the postseason again as the team has the second-easiest schedule in the American League, according to FanGraphs.

The site uses WAR (Wins Above Replacement) to determine each team's rating, and then put together a strength of schedule chart. The only AL team with a schedule easier than the Rangers? The Detroit Tigers, who certainly don't need any help. The Rangers' schedule is always going to be helped by playing the AL West cellar dwellers, as they were 29-9 against the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners last season. The Mariners should be improved with some of their offensive additions, but how much is yet to be seen.

The Rangers also have a favorable Interleague schedule this year, as does the entire AL West. They play series against Philadelphia, Miami and the New York Mets, none of whom are expected to be very good.

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