The magic number for the Rangers to clinch the American League West is down to 5. The lead in the West is at 5, as well. And all of this happened while the Rangers enjoyed a day to themselves in the Bay Area. Fun times.
Richard Durrett summarizes where the Rangers stand after their final off day of the regular season:
If the Rangers simply go 3-3 in the next 6, the Angels would have to go 5-1 just to get the lead to three games before that final series.
T.R. Sullivan breaks down what the Rangers have on their plate for the remaining nine games of the season. These range for clinching, of course, to battling the Tigers for home field in the ALDS, to setting the roster for possible postseason play.
Evan Grant writes behind the DMN paywall about the Rangers' depth being the difference in the AL West race this season.
On the Fox Sports Southwest website there's an AP piece on Michael Young's fantastic season. Young has been a huge part of why the Rangers have had the depth they've had this season thanks in no small part to a reemergence of Young's bat.
Grant has some notes including one on Young nearing 200 hits for the sixth time in his career.
Jeff Wilson profiles Derek Holland heading toward October and how it took a chewing out and a mechanical tweak to salvage a now promising season.
Durrett writes about the emergence of a Neftali Feliz with purpose and fire.
Grant notes that the Rangers inability to beat the Tigers in one-run games might keep them from a shot at home field in the playoffs.
The DMN has a transcript of Gerry Fraley's appearance on SportsDay On Air where he answered questions about Mike Napoli's role in the potential playoffs and the chances of the Rangers returning to the World Series.
The DMN also has a transcript of Nolan Ryan's appearance on Galloway & Co. where he talks about the team without Cliff Lee and whether or not the existence of Moneyball has made him more of a "baseball geek."
Finally, as Durrett reports, FOX continues to hate on LSB parties by optioning Saturday's game (AKA Tailgate III) for a 3:11 (3:11?) start. Maybe the rest of America will get to party along with LSB as the Rangers celebrate another AL West Championship.