Texas regrouped by eight wins in nine games, easing into real playoff contention despite key injuries. FanGraphs puts their odds at 14.4%, a modest bump that nevertheless signals resilience under pressure. Merrill Kelly’s arrival reframed the team’s arc, while Wyatt Langford’s hot stretch anchors a lineup missing Seager and Semien. Nathan Eovaldi’s leadership endures even on IL, guiding Jack Leiter’s emergence. With tough remaining foes (Astros, Brewers, Mets) and a Mariners tiebreaker looming, the Rangers ride a gritty, next-man-up ethos into a possible late surge.

Langford’s September-like burst and Seager’s expected return could tilt a tight race; the 2025 Rangers Experience vibe is real, as the club leans on veteran mentorship and young talent to chase October while navigating a brutal schedule and lingering injuries.

Texas rode a road-sweep to knock the losing-streak stigma off a decimated roster, moving four games over .500 and to a sniff of the wild-card. Even without Seager, Semien, and Eovaldi, the offense has carried the heavier load, hitting .402 with runners in scoring position and peppering 20 homers in nine games. The question now: can this keep up as injuries linger and the September grind arrives?

Bochy trimmed swings, emphasizing short at-bats and team at-bats, and the lineup found surprising pop from names not expected to carry it. Jung and García have juiced the lineup, Pederson added power, and Burger could soon return to deepen the mix. The chase for the West and a postseason berth suddenly feels plausible.

Aroldis Chapman and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a 2026 contract worth 13.3 million with a vesting option for 2027, guaranteeing 26 million over two years if he pitches 40 innings next season. The 37-year-old closer has been superb in Boston, posting a 1.04 ERA in 57 appearances across 52 innings with 27 saves and a 15-game streak without allowing a hit—the longest in club history and the longest MLB streak since 2013.

DeGrom steps in for the injured Eovaldi and fires five scoreless innings to fuel a 9-5 win over Oakland, sealing a sweep and an eight-win stretch. Texas leans on depth, with Leiter and Kelly joining deGrom in a reshaped rotation as they chase a postseason berth.

Texas must manage deGrom’s workload to stay fresh for October, while the club hopes its Cy Young-winning absences don’t derail their surge. The Rangers sit atop a strong late-season run and trust their pitching staff to carry the load down the stretch.

Texas rode a nine-run outburst to complete the sweep of Oakland, riding a five-game winning streak into September and closing to within striking distance of a Wild Card. Jacob deGrom was efficient through five scoreless frames before the Rangers eased him off the mound, while Joc Pederson launched a two-run shot and Josh Jung joined the power party with a homer and a double. The lineup cluttered the bases with nine hits and seven walks, and the bullpen weathered a late scare to seal it.

Caleb Boushley faltered late, allowing a spike in runs as the A’s clawed back, but Texas still managed to hold on. Up next, Texas heads to Arizona to open September against the Diamondbacks, with Patrick Corbin facing Ryne Nelson in a high-leverage series opener. For fantasy managers, Pederson and Jung remain hot hands, while deGrom’s innings pace will influence stacking and bullpen usage as the playoff push intensifies.