Beating Astros Helped Texas Rangers Believe They're 'Top Dog' in AL West

Jonah Heim knew that Texas Rangers could be "special" after winning at early-season series at the Houston Astros.

© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Jonah Heim believed the Texas Rangers could be something special going into the season, but there was a series early on that ramped up expectations.

And it just happened to be down I-45.

“We realized we had something special after the first month of the season,” said Heim, a first-time All-Star. “When we went into Houston and took the series in Houston, we came together even more as a team knowing that this division is up for grabs and if we keep playing Texas Rangers fundamental baseball, we’re going to be just fine.”

The Rangers (49-32) have had a stranglehold on the American League West for the first half of the season, wrestling control away from the Houston Astros. The defending champs (44-37) have dominated the division for years, but find themselves five games back in the standings going into Friday night’s series opener at Globe Life Field.

The next four games in Arlington won’t decide the division either way, but are still important. Much like winning two of three games at Minute Maid Park in mid-April helped set the tone for a surprising first half for the Rangers.

Texas has set its pitching rotation with the weekend’s starters working on an extra day of rest. The atmosphere should be electric, with sellouts expected for the Rangers’ last four home games before the All-Star break.

It’s quite a turnaround for a club that hasn’t reached the postseason since 2016. Heim, one of a franchise-record four All-Star Game starters, certainly hasn’t experienced anything like this since joining the Rangers in 2021.

“The last two years obviously didn’t go our way, to put it mildly,” he said. “This year, we’ve got off to a great start. There’s still a lot of baseball to be played and I know this team is hungry to go out there each and every day and put some wins up.

“I think it all started in Spring Training when [manager Bruce Bochy] came in and gave that speech about all of us playing as one and I think we all took it to heart. We’ve shown that we’re a team to be reckoned with and we’re going to be the top dog this year, so it’s exciting. I’m super proud to be part of it and hopefully keep it rolling.”

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