September is starting to sort itself out. The logjam for the third wildcard spot is slowly getting relieved. Toronto and Cleveland, both with winning records, are putting a bit of distance between themselves and the Rangers and Orioles who are both unable to get to .500.

The Rangers second-half slide continued with an extra-inning 6-3 loss to Tampa Bay. Texas is now 21-26 since the break and backsliding further and further from contention.

Today’s game is really their first must-win of September. If they can split against the best team in the American League, they not only give themselves a psychological advantage, but they salvage what little hope they have of hanging on.

They made a valiant effort yesterday. Hung on through eight, then tied it in the bottom of the eighth. But one bad Jacob Latz pitch in the top of the tenth—one of the few bad Jacob Latz pitches the entire season—ended that. 

Now, here they are, relying on MacKenzie Gore, the pitcher they spent five prospects to get, to save their season. 

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