Texas Rangers keeping the impossible dream alive with season best win streak

It was never meant to go on this long. Within backyards and bar rooms around Arlington, Texas, even the most faithful Texas Ranger fan dared not put too much stock in the early lead enjoyed in the AL West.

Around the league, the feeling was the same. Well done to the Rangers for their great start, but it could never last. Down the I-45, Houston’s players and fans smirked their way through the season. Sure, the Rangers are having their fun now, but in the end, everybody knows which Texas team really owns the division.

And coming into the All Star Break, these views looked justified. Limping into the midsummer classic, the Rangers had all the hallmarks of a team that had spent their energy. Houston’s pride was stoked when they took the series in Arlington from Texas, giving credence to their assessment of the Rangers’ run.

Particularly on the mound, they have been in some trouble ever since they lost Jacob de Grom for the season. And those prolific bats cooled off to the tune of only 40 runs in 9 games, under their 5.81 average per game through the season.

But since coming back from the break, the Rangers are doing their best to keep this impossible dream alive. So far, they have won six in a row, sweeping both the Guardians and Rays. This is their longest winning streak since Texas won six in a row back in 2019. They have stretched that lead at the top of the AL West, which at one point was down to 1.5 games, back to a healthy looking 4.5 games.

There are no illusions that this is all plain sailing, with a three game home stand against the Dodgers followed by a road trip to Houston before they head out west to meet the Padres. The next week will certainly be where the metal meets the meat for the Rangers.

The Rangers are in the middle of their best season start in over a decade, but the hard work is just beginning.