{"id":61004,"date":"2023-08-24T11:00:35","date_gmt":"2023-08-24T15:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=61004"},"modified":"2023-08-24T08:37:36","modified_gmt":"2023-08-24T12:37:36","slug":"al-west-race-deadline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/08\/24\/al-west-race-deadline\/","title":{"rendered":"AL West Race Heating Up As Deadline Moves Make Their Mark"},"content":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0<\/span>Texas Rangers<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Houston Astros<\/span><\/a>\u00a0were 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rangers Spending Spree<\/span><\/h3>\n

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\u00a0<\/span>Jordan Montgomery<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and right-handed reliever\u00a0<\/span>Chris Stratton<\/span><\/a>\u00a0from the St. Louis Cardinals, bolstering their starting rotation. Then, they shocked baseball by trading a top prospect to the\u00a0<\/span>New York Mets<\/span><\/a>\u00a0for\u00a0<\/span>Max Scherzer<\/span><\/a>, a future Hall-of-Famer. That the Rangers were able to pull off these deals and separate deals for reliever\u00a0<\/span>Aroldis Chapman<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and catcher\u00a0<\/span>Austin Hedges<\/span><\/a>\u00a0solidified their place as contenders in their division and the AL playoff picture. Since the two values on the 30th, Texas has gone 12-8.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Monty masterclass. #StraightUpTX<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Zak5zX8mLS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Texas Rangers (@Rangers) August 22, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n