After coming stumbling off a road trip on which the Texas Rangers lost three consecutive series for the first time since 2009, they have responded nicely on this home stand so far with a 4-2 record including a weekend sweep of the back-down-to-Earth Royals.
And for the next week and a half, the schedule doesn't get much tougher, which gives the Rangers a chance to make a nice push and extend its now-2 1/2 game lead after the Angels took a lead in the AL West for one night after taking two of three from the Rangers.
The Rangers will host Toronto (9-12) for four games, then Oakland (11-11) comes to town for four, followed by the lowly Mariners (8-15) for three as Texas will look to sweep Seattle for the second time already this season.
That's a legitimate chance to win 7 or 8 of 11 games, if not more.
On the flip side, the Angels have a home set against the A's beginning tonight but then go to Tampa to face the Rays and then to Boston for a four-game series. Keep in mind, the Angels are just now coming off a four-game sweep at the hands of the Red Sox.
So not to get ahead of ourselves here, but come May 6, your Texas Rangers could easily be back to a 6- or 7-game lead over the Angels if things go well.
