The newest occupants of first place in the American League West – the Los Angeles Angels – come to town Monday. It begins a crucial 13-game stretch for the Rangers leading into the All-Star break.
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They play six games against the Angels, four against Seattle and three against Tampa Bay. Each opponent is above .500, but the Rangers say they aren't treating this stretch any differently than when they were in first place.
"Of course Seattle, Anaheim and Oakland are important because they're in our division," outfielder Marlon Byrd said. "You want to win as many games as possible against them. But the main thing is to win series after series after series.
"If you do that, you're still in the hunt in September and you have a chance."
The Rangers are 13-3 against AL West teams this season and the only team with a record better than .500 inside the division.
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