Inside The Rangers

Texas Rangers, Astros Clash in Top 10 Power Rankings Showdown

The Texas Rangers are hosting the Houston Astros this weekend in a showdown of two rivals in the ESPN Power Rankings top 10.
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Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers made their way through an uneven week that featured a disappointing series loss in the Bronx and split with the lowly Detroit Tigers.

Despite not fully capitalizing on the first series in the last homestand before the All-Star break, the Rangers are still feeling the love in the latest MLB Power Rankings from ESPN’s panel of baseball experts. Texas is holding steady at No. 3, trailing only the top-ranked Tampa Bay Rays and No. 2 Atlanta Braves.

Per ESPN:

A series loss in New York over the weekend could have been a playoff preview as the Rangers and Yankees scored a total of 15 runs in the three games – two of which were won by the home team. It was a tight series. The Rangers’ offensive slump leaked into the new week as they struggled at the plate against the pitching-shaky Tigers. Corey Seager and Adolis Garcia both had tough weeks, with batting averages below .200.

The Rangers did set a franchise record this week with four selections for the All-Star Game. Seager, Marcus Semien, Jonah Heim and rookie Josh Jung will start for the American League squad on July 11 in Seattle.

Reserves and pitchers will be announced next week, with Nathan Eovaldi and García among the Rangers who should merit serious consideration.

Texas (49-32) reached the midway point of the season before turning its attention to a showdown four-game series with the No. 8 Houston Astros (44-37) opening Friday night at Globe Life Field. The Rangers continue to own a sizable cushion over the defending world champs and No. 12 Los Angeles Angels in the AL West at five and six games, respectively.

Per ESPN:

The good news is the Astros and Angels haven’t gone on a run during the Rangers’ struggles. Texas continues to have a hold on the AL West.

The power rankings for rest of the AL West: Seattle Mariners (19) and Oakland Athletics (30).

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Art Garcia
ART GARCIA

Art Garcia (@ArtGarcia92) has watched, wondered and written about those fortunate few to play games since the 1990s. Award-winning stops at NBA.com, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and San Antonio Express-News dot a career that includes extensive writing for such outlets as ESPN.com, FOXSports.com, CBSSports.com, The Sporting News, among others. He is a former professor of sports reporting at UT Arlington and continues to work in the communications field. Garcia began covering the Dallas Mavericks right around Mark Cuban purchasing the club in 2000. The Texas A&M grad has also covered the Cowboys, Rangers, TCU, Big 12, Final Fours, countless bowl games, including the National Championship, and just about everything involving a ball in Texas.

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