OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Texas Rangers hope to use a break in the schedule to creep closer in the American League wild-card picture when they open a three-game series against the last-place Oakland Athletics on Friday night.
Thanks to a three-game sweep in Seattle, the Rangers (76-76) will take the field in Oakland 2 1/2 games behind the Minnesota Twins (79-74) in the race for the AL's second wild-card spot, tied with the Los Angeles Angels (76-76).
Texas has some catching up to do but has a favorable schedule to potentially make it happen.