The AL West Wild Ride: Texas Rangers Battle Injuries, Division Rivals, and Post-Deadline Doubts

As the 2025 MLB season barrels into its final stretch, the American League West has morphed into one of the most unpredictable and hard-fought races in baseball. The Texas Rangers, who once looked like legitimate contenders for the division crown, have seen their momentum stall due to inconsistent performances and a concerning rash of injuries. Yet amid the chaos, there are signs of life—and perhaps a glimmer of hope.

On Saturday night, the Rangers finally snapped out of their slump and earned a dramatic 6-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners in extra innings. It was the kind of win that not only lifts spirits in the dugout but has real implications for the playoff picture. With one more game remaining in the series, Sunday’s rubber match has become pivotal. A win would give Texas a split in the series and potentially catapult them back into a tie for second place in the division—along with a shared spot in the crowded AL Wild Card race.

But nothing comes easy in this division, and the Rangers’ path is riddled with both external competition and internal uncertainty. Sunday’s game will feature what may be the most important start of the season: Jacob deGrom is set to take the mound, and all eyes will be on him.

DeGrom Faces the Pressure

For a team looking to find consistency, having a two-time Cy Young winner in the rotation should be a massive advantage. But even Jacob deGrom has looked human this year. After a string of solid outings, deGrom stumbled badly in his last appearance, surrendering runs early and failing to make it through five innings. For the Rangers, it was a concerning sign. For deGrom, it was a humbling one.

Now, with the season hanging in the balance, he has a chance to make a statement. If he can rebound and lead the Rangers to a crucial series split, it might be the spark this team needs to begin a late-season push. But if he falters again, questions about his health, stamina, and long-term effectiveness will resurface. Given the stakes, this isn’t just a regular-season game—it’s a referendum on the future of the Rangers’ pitching staff.

Trade Deadline Fallout: A Mixed Report Card

The Rangers were active at the trade deadline, adding some much-needed reinforcements to their pitching staff. While fans largely applauded General Manager Chris Young for being aggressive—especially in light of Kumar Rocker’s recent struggles in the rotation—not everyone in the baseball world was impressed.

Both ESPN and CBS Sports issued lukewarm assessments of the Rangers’ deadline performance, giving the front office a “B” grade. The criticism wasn’t centered on the pitching additions, which were considered solid. Instead, it focused on what wasn’t done: improving the offense.

Texas has struggled mightily at the plate for most of the year. The team ranks near the bottom of the league in runs scored since the All-Star break, and no major bats were added at the deadline. Chris Young appears to be betting that internal improvement—from players like Adolis García, Marcus Semien, and Josh Jung—will be enough to close the gap. So far, that bet hasn’t paid off.

If the Rangers miss the playoffs by a narrow margin, their deadline hesitation on the offensive side could become one of the major “what-ifs” of the season.

A Shifting Division Landscape

Fortunately for Texas, the chaos of the AL West isn’t limited to their own clubhouse. The Houston Astros, perennial playoff contenders, have had issues of their own. Though they briefly looked poised to run away with the division, they’ve stumbled lately, allowing teams like Texas and Seattle to hang around.

Currently, the Rangers are just 4.5 games behind Houston for the division lead. With over a month of baseball still to play, anything can happen. A strong winning streak could easily propel them into the top spot.

Then there’s the Los Angeles Angels, who made several high-profile moves at the deadline in a desperate attempt to stay relevant. They acquired relievers like Andrew Chafin and doubled down on their belief that they could contend with Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani in the lineup. But reality has been harsh. The Angels have lost four straight games and now find themselves 4.5 games behind third place in the AL West.

Their gamble may already be backfiring—and in spectacular fashion.

Robert Garcia’s Collapse Raises Red Flags

Perhaps the most pressing internal concern for the Rangers right now is the sudden collapse of reliever Robert Garcia. For two consecutive games, Garcia was called upon to close things out—and for two straight nights, he blew the save. His command was off, his velocity dropped slightly, and his body language suggested something was wrong.

On Saturday night, the situation turned more serious. In the middle of his outing, Garcia signaled to the bench and had to be removed from the game. The team later announced he was experiencing “mid-back spasms.”

It’s unclear whether Garcia will be placed on the injured list, but the consensus is that he needs time off. Even if the injury doesn’t warrant a lengthy absence, it may be best for both his health and the team’s performance that he gets some rest and resets mentally. With the bullpen already stretched thin, losing Garcia—who has been one of their better arms this season—could not come at a worse time.

The timing is especially painful considering newly acquired starter Merrill Kelly made his Texas debut on Saturday and pitched well for most of his outing, only to run out of gas in the later innings. If the bullpen can’t close games, even strong starting pitching becomes moot.

A Team at a Crossroads

In many ways, the Texas Rangers find themselves at a crossroads. The win on Saturday night could represent a turning point—or just a temporary reprieve from a downward spiral. With deGrom on the mound Sunday, and the standings razor-tight, the direction of the season could hinge on a single game.

Injuries, offensive struggles, and inconsistent bullpen performances have all conspired to make this a frustrating year for a team that began the season with high hopes. But baseball is nothing if not unpredictable. A few timely hits, a bounce-back from deGrom, and renewed energy from the clubhouse could spark a late-season rally.

Chris Young’s front office moves have given the team some tools to work with. Now it’s up to manager Bruce Bochy and his players to execute. If they can win Sunday and gain some momentum, the entire complexion of the division race could shift once again.

But if they lose, they risk slipping further into mediocrity—and time is running out.

What Lies Ahead

Looking at the schedule ahead, the Rangers have several tough matchups against playoff-caliber teams. They’ll need every bit of production from their top hitters, sharper outings from their bullpen, and, most importantly, a healthy and effective deGrom to have a chance.

The AL West may be wild, but it’s still wide open. The Rangers can still control their fate. Whether they rise or fall will depend on their ability to navigate injuries, regain consistency, and turn potential into performance.

For now, Saturday night’s win is a step in the right direction. What happens next will determine if it was a fluke—or the start of something special.