Fans are disappointed and rightfully so. The Texas Rangers had the division in their hands and lost it to the Houston Astros.
But amongst that disappointment, fans need to remember they did make the post season.
The Texas Rangers will play the Tampa Bay Rays in the Wild Card round starting Tuesday.
There’s always going to be disappointment, because this game was huge,” manager Bruce Bochy said per mlb.com. “I’m sure there’s disappointment in [the clubhouse] still. Once we get on the plane, we have to realize, ‘You’re in the postseason.’ You got to get your head back to where it needs to be. We’re in the postseason and this is what we strive to do.”
The Rangers players were also disappointed, but now they have a job to do.
Jordan Montgomery will start game 1 for the Rangers, and my guess would be Nathan Eovaldi will get the nod for game 2.
Montgomery has been one of the stars of the rotation since being acquired by the Rangers. Dane Dunning has been the most consistent in the rotation.
Dunning will most likely get game 3 if necessary.
Last time the Rangers made the post season their lineup had many different faces on it. Carlos Gomez, Ian Desmond, Elvis Andrus. Almost no Rangers left from that team.
The Rangers own the season series against the Rays, taking 4 out of the 6 matchups. They only need 2 more to advance to the American League Division Series round.
As a long time fan I am happy to see my favorite team finally back in the playoffs. I am also disappointed with the division results.
To hold first as long as they did only to lose it on the last day of the season is hard to swallow.
One thing about the 2023 Rangers is that they have been resilient.
They have battled through injury and slumps to make it to the post season again.
So sit back Rangers fan, take a day to morn the loss of the division, and then get ready to cheer on the Rangers as they try to advance to the ALDS!
