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.