Rangers preview: Home-field advantage remains a race to watch

Sure, the Rangers have locked up the American League West division and they’re in the playoffs again. But the final six games are hardly an afterthought.

The Rangers are tied with the Boston Red Sox for the best record in the AL and the Cleveland Indians trail them both by just 1 1/2 games. The home-field advantage is still very much up in the air and the final six games, beginning with Monday’s series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers, should carry their own bit of dramatic flair. After three against the Brewers and one more off day on Thursday, the Rangers conclude the regular season with three against the Tampa Bay Rays at Globe Life Park.

Home-field advantage homestretch:

Of the three division leaders, Texas has the easiest final week, with opponents who were eliminated from contention some time around Memorial Day in the Brewers and Rays. The Indians, arguably, have the toughest final stretch. They play seven road games, including four at Detroit and then three at the defending champion Royals. The Red Sox, who’ve won 11 consecutive games, are at the Yankees for three and then close it out at home with the three against Blue Jays. Toronto and Detroit are still battling with Baltimore for the two wild card berths, so keep an eye on their scores, too.

The series details

Monday: LHP Martin Perez (10-10, 4.14) vs. RHP Matt Garza 5-8, 4.52) 7:05 p.m. (TV: FSSW)

Tuesday: RHP A.J. Griffin (7-4, 4.94) vs. RHP Jimmy Nelson (8-15, 4.50) 7:05 p.m. (TV: FSSW)

Wednesday: TBA vs. RHP Chase Anderson (9-11, 4.36), 7:05 p.m. (TV: FSSW)

This story was originally published September 26, 2016 at 12:45 AM with the headline "Rangers preview: Home-field advantage remains a race to watch."