Rangers sliding out of playoff spot faster than anyone could expect

Despite a 6-2 victory over the Pirates on Friday, the Rangers playoff chances are quickly falling with one simple way to stop it.

Just a week ago, in the midst of their hot streak, Texas' playoff odds sat at 25.3% but a sweep at the hands of the Royals this week has the team at 37-39 and those I odds are trending downwar again.

Rangers' playoff odds fluctuate back-and-forth as offense continues to sputter

According to FanGraphs, the Rangers are sitting at a 20.9% chance to make the postseason. Now this isn't the worst we've seen their odds this season as back on June 7, the Rangers were at a season-worst 16% odds.

But the offense is still not piecing it together and this weekend could only muster six runs in three games against a similarly underperforming Royals team.

Exaclty how bad is the offense? Well, the team's best hitter is utility man Josh Smith, who is batting .286, which is not a knock on Smith at all. It's purely a massive sign of overall struggle. A startling stat to emphasize the problems, the five Rangers that started for the AL in the 2023 All-Star Game (Semien, Seager, Heim, Lowe and Garcia) are all hitting below. 240 on the season.

Now it could be worse, divisional opponents in the Angels currently have a 0.2% chance and the Marlins and Rockies are boasting a whopping 0% chance to make the postseason. In order for the Rangers to avoid missing the playoffs for the second-straight season, we need to see more of the offense from Friday and less like the offense Tuesday-Thursday at home.