Texas Rangers at .500 go into final week leading AL West, have been close to top all year
Texas has stayed within three games of the lead all season and won nine of 13 to move ahead of Houston.
- With six games remaining in the regular season, the 78-78 Rangers hold a one-game lead in the American League West, maintaining their position near the top of the division throughout 2026.
- After going 81-81 last season, Texas hovered near.500 all year, hitting a low of 25-31 on May 28 before finally passing Houston for the division lead on Saturday.
- First baseman Jake Burger described the team's current "backs-against-the-wall" mentality, while manager Skip Schumaker emphasized that reaching playoff position by late September fulfilled the franchise's primary goal.
- Texas benefits from competing in the American League, where a.500 record leads the West; in the National League, the same record would eliminate the club from playoff contention.
- The Rangers open a three-game home series against the Mets on Tuesday before traveling to Minnesota, while Houston faces two games in Seattle and four against the Athletics to close the season.
15 Articles
15 Articles
How Rangers Can Make Playoffs in AL West Standings
All of a sudden, seemingly out of nowhere, the Texas Rangers control their own destiny. They enter the final week of the MLB regular season holding the lead in the AL West Division in the Houston Astros. There are still six games left for each team to play, but the Rangers kind of snuck up […]
Texas Rangers at .500 go into final week leading AL West, have been cl
Texas Rangers' Jake Burger is greeted in the dugout after scoring on a two-run single from Justin Foscue during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
.500-Rangers go into final week leading AL West; have been close to top all year
Sep 20, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) meets with teammates on the mound during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
Having a balanced record is enough for Texas Rangers to lead the Western Division of the American League in the last week of the regular season.
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