It is exhausting to really drive residence the stranglehold the Houston Astros had on the AL West. Since 2016, when the Texas Rangers gained the division, the opposite workforce from Texas had taken the division title each single 12 months however one, and that one hardly counts, contemplating it was the 2020 shortened COVID marketing campaign.
There was a time when the Rangers seemed like they is likely to be those to interrupt the Astros’ iron grip. Actually, it was simply final week that Bruce Bochy’s squad was only two back within the AL West. Sadly, they pale large time, however the Seattle Mariners stepped up. The M’s clinched the division earlier this week, profitable the AL West for the primary time since 2001.
It is by no means run to have a good time a Rangers’ rivals’ success. Nevertheless, I believe most followers round Globe Life Stadium would say there may be at the very least somewhat little bit of enjoyable available with the Astros dropping out of first place.
Texas Rangers acquired the great Tyler Mahle again
It was too little too late for Tyler Mahle’s return. The workforce had hoped the beginning pitcher coming off the IL late within the season may function a little bit of a push in the direction of the playoffs. Sadly, they have been on their manner out of it by the point he got here again.
There may be nonetheless some good to take from his remaining two begins, as he was simply pretty much as good as he was earlier within the 12 months earlier than he suffered the harm. Now the massive query is whether or not he pitched himself into an enormous contract this winter or whether or not he is likely to be keen to return to the Rangers on a prove-it deal since he is had harm points the previous few years.
Ezequiel Duran makes unlucky historical past for the Rangers
Ezequiel Duran has contributed to the Rangers success at instances this 12 months. He is additionally proven to be a reasonably huge hindrance at different instances. Nothing demonstrates the place he falls brief than when the utlity artificial some workforce historical past.
Duran reached 204 plate appearances and not using a single residence run. That is essentially the most PAs a Rangers hitter has gone and not using a spherical tripper since Elvis Andrus did it back in 2010.
Large Dumper makes historical past for his energy
Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has had an unimaginable season. Now it is also a historic one. The Texas Rangers rival recently hit his 60th home run. That is greater than all however 4 AL gamers have ever achieved. It is also greater than some other catcher has achieved.
Now the massive query is whether or not or not he can win the AL MVP.
