Red-Hot Texas Rangers Drop in Power Rankings

What does an eight-game winning streak and a 10-2 record this month mean for the Texas Rangers?

A drop in the MLB.com Power Rankings, of course.

The latest version from the league’s official website had the Rangers drop a spot from being No. 3 last week to No. 4. Texas’ flurry of activity at the trade deadline was noted, especially the two starters added to the rotation.

Per MLB.com:

At the deadline, it felt like the Astros were making their move on the Rangers. Houston was just one game back and they’d just traded for Justin Verlander. The Rangers responded by winning their first eight games of August, with much of that success thanks to new additions Max Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery. They now have a little breathing room between them and their in-state rivals … but just a little.

The Rangers (70-48) are also coming off a 4-2 road trip and have won four consecutive series going into Monday night’s opener against the Los Angeles Angels. The six-game homestand at Globe Life Field concludes with three games against the Milwaukee Brewers starting Friday.

Texas has lined up its rotation with Scherzer taking the ball in the first game with the Angels. The Rangers are also getting a break, as Los Angeles two-way star Shohei Ohtani is having his start skipped on Wednesday.

The Atlanta Braves are on top of the Power Rankings, with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles manning the next two spots ahead of Texas. The Dodgers are 12-1 this month – the only record better than the Rangers.

As far as the rest of the AL West, the Astros check in at No. 6 followed by the Seattle Mariners (9), Angels (20) and Oakland Athletics (30).

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