Back in late June, I pointed out that the history of the Texas Rangers contain one gigantic summer swoon after another as the team melts in the heat.
I said that I wasn't buying them until they make it through the summer.
And guess what?
They had a bad August.
With today's loss (and Cliff Lee's latest meltdown... he had better turn it on in October or else he is costing himself millions of dollars!) the Rangers finished August 13-15.
Guess who else had a lousy August?
THE ENTIRE AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST!!!
Oakland finished 13-15.
The Angels finished 11-16.
Seattle, a non factor, wrapped up the month with a win to improve to 13-14.
The entire division finished below .500 for August. The Rangers started the month with an 8 1/2 game lead, played sub .500 ball and finished the month with an 8 1/2 game lead.
Had the A's or the Angels played winning ball this month, there might be a pennant race in the West. There might be a little suspense.
Instead we are all but certain to have a Division Series in Texas which, by the looks of things, will mean they would get whipped by the Rays or the Yankees... unless of course Cliff Lee turns things around.
Either way, the Rangers gave you an opening... and the rest of the division just stared at their toes.
I don't have a horse in the A. L. West race. I want it to be competitive.
With the A's folding and the Angels trading away their closer, it doesn't seem like it will be.
Thanks... thanks a lot.
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