The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros were active at the MLB trade deadline, making the AL West race one to watch. After the Rangers’ loss on Tuesday night, the Astros sit just a half-game behind Texas for first place in the American League West division. The past week has tightened after an up-and-down month for both squads. Let’s take a look at how the trade deadline will continue to have an impact on the division’s outcome.
Rangers Spending Spree
On July 30th, the Rangers held a 60-46 record, good for the third-best mark in the American League. They had a one-game divisional lead and have shared at least a portion of the division lead every day since April 8th. However, July 30th proved the Rangers’ ability to contend, not just for the playoffs, but for the World Series. First, the Rangers acquired lefty starter Jordan Montgomery and right-handed reliever Chris Stratton from the St. Louis Cardinals, bolstering their starting rotation. Then, they shocked baseball by trading a top prospect to the New York Mets for Max Scherzer, a future Hall-of-Famer. That the Rangers were able to pull off these deals and separate deals for reliever Aroldis Chapman and catcher Austin Hedges solidified their place as contenders in their division and the AL playoff picture. Since the two values on the 30th, Texas has gone 12-8.
The Rangers’ record is slightly misleading in August. Texas won their first eight games in August and are currently weathering a six-game losing streak heading into Wednesday’s games. However, the trade acquisitions have kept the team afloat as offensive struggles arise. Scherzer has been his vintage self in a Rangers uniform, posting a 2.60 ERA in 23.2 innings pitched over four starts. His most recent outing was short, lasting only 3 2/3 innings, but he only gave up three runs, walking four batters. Montgomery has been even better, with a 1.73 ERA in 26 innings in Texas. His most recent start was a gem, as he threw eight shutout innings while striking out six batters. Not known as a strikeout artist, Montgomery has 26 in an equal number of innings. Chapman has dominated 10 Rangers innings with a 0.90 ERA and 19 strikeouts.
Monty masterclass. #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/Zak5zX8mLS
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) August 22, 2023
Astros Keeping Pace
The Astros have an identical record to the Rangers since the trade deadline, ensuring they lose no ground in the standings. However, their trade deadline acquisitions have also been invaluable. On August 1st, the Astros had an all-around great day. First, Houston reunited with former Astros Justin Verlander and Kendall Graveman in two separate trades. That night, Framber Valdez no-hit the Cleveland Guardians. However, despite their overall success, the rotation has significantly struggled. In the 18 starts between Valdez’s no-hitter and Tuesday, Astros starters had a 5.66 ERA. None of those outings was scoreless. However, despite the lack of total shutdown, Verlander has been effective after returning to Houston: 3.38 ERA in 24 innings. He’s kept the rotation afloat amid other players’ struggles, relieving the bullpen.
What a bullpen it’s been, as well. Since Graveman joined the roster, Houston’s relievers rank first in the American League with a 2.23 ERA. Graveman has been effective, with a 1.74 ERA in 10.1 innings since the trade. As the offense has flourished in Houston, the bullpen has carried most of the load in sustaining the Astros’ race for a division title. There’s reason to believe that the Astros rotation can turn it around based on track record, so the performance of the bullpen and offense has shown signs of optimism for the stretch run.
Six shutout innings. pic.twitter.com/5CsObHsUHc
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 23, 2023
Divisional Outlook
The AL West is shaping up to be MLB’s most exciting divisional race this season. In recent years, the Astros have dominated the field, but with the Rangers holding first place for much of the season, the guard has changed. However, this is not a two-horse race. The Seattle Mariners have been the hottest team in the league over the last two weeks and sit only a half-game behind the Astros in third place. The Los Angeles Angels‘ aggressive trade deadline backfired, but with key players returning and some of the best talent in baseball, they could at least play spoiler in September. We know the trade deadline moves made by the Rangers and the Astros have kept them afloat when parts of their roster scuffled in August. Ultimately, those moves are the difference between the two teams.
Main Photo Credits: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
