Texas Rangers Strengthen Playoff Odds, Await Max Scherzer Injury Update

With it comes to the standings, circumstances keep getting better for the Texas Rangers.

On the field, they could be in line for a huge setback.

On the same night the Rangers climbed in both the American League West and Wild Card races to improve their playoff chances, Max Scherzer was lost to a potential injury. The Texas ace is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam Wednesday after leaving an eventual win over the Toronto Blue Jays with a right triceps spasm.

Scherzer and the Rangers can only hope for the best.

While the club’s postseason hopes could be tied to Scherzer’s status, the past four days have seen a reversal in fortunes. The four-game winning streak, including 6-3 Tuesday night, has moved the Rangers into second place in both the AL West and Wild Card hunt.

Texas (80-64) is just one game back of the Houston Astros (82-64) in the division, while jumping over Toronto (80-65) for the second Wild Card. The Rangers lead the Blue Jays and Seattle (80-65) by a half- game.

Texas now has a 72.2% chance of making the playoffs, with 58.9% odds of that route being via the Wild Card. The Rangers have a 13.3% shot of winning the West.

Houston still has 95.9% probability of reaching the postseason – 66.2% as the division champ and 29.7% as a Wild Card. Seattle has better playoff odds than Toronto – 69.5% to 61.5%. The Mariners are a better bet to claim the division at 20.5% than Texas.

The Rangers, with Jordan Montgomery starting, can create further space with the Blue Jays in the third game of the series Wednesday night. Houston tries to avoid a home sweep against the Oakland Athletics, while Seattle finishes up a series with the Los Angeles Angels.

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