Astros Overtake Texas Rangers as Favorites to Win AL West

The first-place Texas Rangers are no longer the favorite to win the American League West.

Despite going into Wednesday still on top of the division – albeit by the slimmest of margins – the Rangers now appear destined for the Wild Card at best. At least those are the odds, according to FanGraphs.

Texas, mired in a season-long six-game losing streak, has a 28.7% chance to claim the AL West. The Rangers are 72-54, just a half-game up on the Houston Astros (72-55) and a full game ahead of the Seattle Mariners (71-55).

Houston is projected by FanGraphs to win 92.0 games, with the Rangers at 90.7 and Seattle at 90.0.

A week ago, the Rangers owned 95.1% odds to make the playoffs and a 56.8% probability to capture the division crown. Texas’ playoff chances are down nearly 20 points to 75.2%.

The defending-champion Astros are the new betting favorite to win the three-team AL West race at 48.0%, with an 86.0% playoff shot. Seattle checks in at 68.1% (playoffs) and 23.3% (division title).

The Rangers have been swept in back-to-back series, failing in both games of a quick two-game set at the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Milwaukee Brewers took out the brooms over the weekend in Arlington. (Texas also lost against the Los Angeles Angels a week ago to start the skid.)

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy admits there’s a sense of urgency for his club. The half-game division lead is the smallest for Texas since Aug. 2.

“We have to see where we’re at,” Bochy said Tuesday after the 6-3 loss to Arizona. “It’s time to pick it up. It’s go time. We worked hard to get in this position. We can’t let this get away from us. It’s time to play good baseball, so I think it’s a challenge for all us to amp it up here a little bit.”

The Rangers are off Wednesday before opening a four-game series at the Minnesota Twins on Thursday.

You can follow Art Garcia on Twitter @ArtGarcia92.

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