Dallas Morning News · Jul 14, 2016
The AL West race we all expected is finally taking shape
Rose Baca/Staff Photographer Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) celebrates with Houston Astros right fielder George Springer (4) and Houston Astros catcher Jason Castro (15) after hitting a homer in the third inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, Monday, June 6, 2016. (Rose Baca/The Dallas Morning News)The Rangers have nine regular-season games left with Houston. Those games will mean something again when the season resumes on Friday.
The combination of a Rangers skid and Houston surge before the All-Star break changed the shape of the American League West. What looked to be a runaway by the Rangers has turned into the expected contest with the Astros.