Rangers big deadline pickup joins misery as Texas marches towards elimination

It doesn't seem like it could get much worse for the Texas Rangers. One day, after manager Bruce Bochey seemed to lose his temper with an offense that had struggled all season, it was time for the bullpen to be the problem. Worse yet, it was Phil Maton, a deadline pickup who seemingly grabbed the closer's role just a few days ago, who blew another must-win game.

This loss feels different. This loss feels like a gut punch. Especially considering the starting pitching was, again, very good. Primarily, when the offense had scored four runs and even added an insurance run. Or at least what looked like an insurance run.

Texas Rangers take another gut punch from new closer

And then Phil Maton came into the top of the ninth inning and sent the Texas Rangers home with another loss on a homestand that can only be described as awful. It has to be considered the first steps towards sitting at home during the postseason.

After getting swept at home by the Philadelphia Phillies, the Rangers won the first game of the Arizona series in dramatic fashion. It was the kind of win fans had to hope was the beginning of a turnaround. Instead, they've lost another series and 5 of their last 6.

The Texas Rangers are now three full games behind the Cleveland Guardians. They're four behind the New York Yankees. And after an off day to lick their wounds, they start a series against a Toronto Blue Jays team that is currently 20 games over .500 on the season. Fans and even members of the team have been waiting for everything to click, but it's starting to feel like that's not going to happen.