Three Keys to Rangers Postseason Berth

Despite coming into play on Wednesday with a 72-73 record, the Texas Rangers find themselves right in the thick of the postseason race.

The Rangers sit just two games back of first place in the American League West and 1.5 games back of the AL’s final Wild Card spot.

With 16 games remaining in the season (nine of which are at home), Texas will need to have several things go their way if they want to qualify for the postseason for the first time since winning it all in 2023.

Here are three keys to the Rangers reaching this year’s Major League Baseball Postseason.

No. 1 -- Corey Seager and Wyatt Langford are the Lineup's Biggest Producers -- For much of the season, much of what Texas has done offensively has revolved around unexpected contributors, in large part because Corey Seager and Wyatt Langford haven’t been on the field.

In Tuesday night’s win, we saw both Seager and Langford homer as part of a 10-run offensive outpouring.

With more efforts like that from their two best offensive players, the Rangers lineup will certainly be one that can put up enough wins to win more games than not.

As has always been the case, if Texas wants to get where they want to go, their best players have to be their best players.

No. 2 -- Strong Finishes From Jacob deGrom and MacKenzie Gore -- In a similar manner to Seager and Langford, the Rangers' best starting pitchers have had seasons with not a ton to write home about but will be key down the stretch.

Coming into the year, we knew that starting pitching needed to be the strength of this Texas team, and it’s been serviceable up to this point, but nothing excellent.

It seems already that deGrom and Gore are both kicking things into a higher gear as the season winds down, so the Rangers will hope that continues in their last few starts.

No. 3 -- Get Josh Jung and Nathan Eovaldi back healthy -- There’s no denying that the Rangers are a better team when both Josh Jung and Nathan Eovaldi are on the field.

In Jung’s case specifically, for whatever reason, seemingly since he’s been in the big leagues, Texas has simply won more games when he’s on the field compared to when he isn’t.

As for Eovaldi, he’s one of the best big-game pitchers in recent baseball history and someone you want taking the ball in do-or-die games.