Texas Rangers Magic Numbers for Playoffs, AL West Hold Firm

The Texas Rangers still control their own destiny in the aftermath of blowing a one-run lead to Seattle on Thursday night.

The Texas Rangers blew their first chance to clinch a playoff berth on Thursday against Seattle.

With a 2-1 lead in the ninth inning, the Rangers ended up blowing a save opportunity and fell 3-2 to the Seattle Mariners.

The loss certainly doesn't deep six the Rangers’ chances of making the playoffs, but Thursday's game was their first chance to clinch at least a playoff berth for the first time since 2016.

They had a magic number of one going into that game and they will carry that magic number into Friday's game against Seattle. Additionally, their magic number to claim the American League West title remains at two.

What the loss ultimately does is it gives both the Houston Astros and Mariners a little more hope that each can track down the Rangers in the divisional race.

It's still a tall order for both of those teams to catch the Rangers, but it has been a streaky last two months for Texas and anything is possible.

Below is an update on the race, with the current standings, magic numbers to clinch the AL West and a Wild Card berth, along with the remaining schedules for the teams that are still in the race.

The AL West Race as of Sept. 29

Thursday’s AL West results

• Seattle 3, Texas 2
• Houston, idle

AL West Standings (Magic Number)

• Texas (89-70): — (2)
• Houston (87-72): 2.0 GB
• Seattle (86-73): 3.0 GB

What’s Left?

• Houston (3): Friday-Sunday: at Arizona (3)
• Seattle (3): Friday -Saturday: vs. Texas (3)
• Texas (3): Friday -Saturday: at Seattle (3)

AL Wild Card Race as of Sept. 29

(Top three teams clinch Wild Card berths)

Thursday’s other key AL Wild Card results

• Toronto 6, New York Yankees 0
• Tampa Bay, idle

AL Wild Card Standings (Magic Number/Seed)

• Tampa Bay (97-62): +10.0* (No. 4)
• Toronto (88-71): +1.0 (2)
• Houston (87-72): — (3)
• Seattle (86-73): 1.0 GB

*-Clinched playoff berth

What’s Left?

• Tampa Bay (3): Sept. 29-Oct. 1: at Toronto (3)
• Toronto (4): Friday-Sunday: vs. Tampa Bay (3)

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You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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