After being swept by the Astros, the Rangers started a stretch of games against teams they should beat. Or, in their case, should go .500 against. 

They played the Giants for three, won two of them. They played the Orioles for three, won two of them. Now it’s four against the Angels, followed by three against the Athletics.

They won the first of the four-game series in Anaheim last night, 4-1, needing to go extra innings to do it. The Rangers need to take advantage of these games since they weren’t able to capitalize when they played a stretch of games against good teams right after the All-Star break, losing nine out of twelve to playoff-bound teams. 

That outcome didn’t bode well for their prospects in the unlikely chance they do make the playoffs. They’re just not good enough to beat the elite teams. But being a perpetually mediocre team means they are good enough to beat the weaker teams.

As flawed as the Rangers are, the entire American League is stuck in neutral, giving them the rare chance to still be relevant after nearly 120 games into the season. Last year’s teams that made it to the American League Championship Series are nowhere near relevant this year. Both the Toronto Blue Jays, who came a-half inch away from winning the World Series, and the Seattle Mariners are 57-63, and showing no signs of ever recovering.

Like the old saying goes, Texas has to make hay while the sun shines. It’s shining now. The need to win now to store up the Ws in the victory bank, because good teams are on the horizon, and the bank will be drained. 

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