Texas Rangers Face A Do-or-Die Stretch Before MLB All-Star Break
Second baseman Ian Kinsler could be key to the Texas Rangers' second-half run.
The Texas Rangers have come back to Earth.
In June, the Rangers won 21 out of 27 games. On July 6, they have lost 4 out of 5 to start this month.
Not only have they lost 4 out of 5, but they lost one game to the Chicago White Sox and two to the Cleveland Indians. The Chi-Sox and Indians have a combined record of 76-87. That was roughly the same record the Rangers finished with two years ago.
What’s wrong? Is it just a minor letdown after that torrid run in June? Is it a sign of things to come? Or is the team’s ownership mess finally starting to affect the product on the field?
The Rangers’ body of work this season is impressive. After posting an 11-12 record in April, they have gone 37-22. They have a 3-2 record against the arch-rival division opponent, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Although the head-to-head record isn’t overpowering, it’s still a winning record.
The Rangers play six games, all at home, before the All-Star Break. Two more against Cleveland and four games against Baltimore are all that stand between the Texas Rangers and an excellent first half.
As impressive as the first half has been, if the Rangers struggle into the All-Star Break, they will look more vulnerable than most have believed possible this season.
