Texas Continues to Dominate AL West Opponents
The race for the American League West has been a two-team affair for most of the regular season. At his point, the Texas Rangers are in first place 2½ games in front of the Oakland A’s.
Texas has won three straight games and 7 of its past 10, while the A’s have struggled losing two straight and 5 of their past 10 overall.
Texas had an off day on Thursday, their third consecutive Thursday of rest, and will open a series against the Chicago White Sox on Friday.
The series against the White Sox gives both the Rangers a break from playing AL West division rivals and the division a break from having to face the Rangers.
Texas has manhandled the AL West over the season in head to head battles. The Rangers are 41-16 against AL West teams.
The 41 wins are 55% of all the wins for Texas this season. The Rangers record against AL West teams is the best in the majors of any team against teams in its own division.
On Wednesday, Texas defeated Houston 5-4 on an Elvis Andrus walk off sacrifice fly. It was the seventh time they have beaten the Astros over the past 13 days.
Last season, the Rangers had a disappointing record of 27-30 against division foes and lost the AL West to Oakland by one game. That memory has stayed with the Rangers this season and they do not want it repeated.
Texas is 14-2 versus Houston this season and has swept four of the six series the two teams have played. Texas is also 10-2 against the disappointing Los Angeles Angels and against Oakland is 8-5.
Following the weekend series with Chicago, Texas will face the Seattle Mariners for three games.
Seattle has been the biggest problem for the Rangers this season. Texas has only a record of 9-7 against Seattle in 16 games.
At this point, Seattle could be the toughest opponent of any of the other AL West teams. Despite having a record of just 59-67, the Mariners are playing better than even Oakland and Texas will have to face the likes of Felix Hernandez and Hishasi Ikakuma on the mound in the upcoming series.
Manager Ron Washington said his Rangers team always has a tough time playing against Seattle. He said the Mariners lineup is good, with power and speed.
Washington also commented on how strong Seattle’s pitchers were including starters and relievers.
As the end of August approaches, the Rangers will look to make a separation between themselves and the Oakland A’s, by trying to add games to their current 2½-game lead.
Texas has a weaker schedule for their remaining schedule than Oakland does and will look to take advantage of playing against teams that have not fared well this season.
The way Texas is playing against AL West foes they would prefer to play only teams in their own division the rest of the season.
