Are the Rangers’ playoff hopes unraveling? Monday’s quest for answers suggests yes

Another road gut punch leaves the Texas Rangers searching for answers as their playoff push wobbles
Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

Not only was Monday night's loss far too familiar for the Texas Rangers, but if it's not the straw that broke the camel's back, that back is bending badly. Manager Bruce Bochy's comments after the game made that all too clear.

"There's no answer," Bochy said moments after storming into the post-game press conference. "I'd like to give you an answer. There's no answer."

Considering that no one asked the Texas Rangers' manager a question before he made that statement, it's clear it's at the front of his mind. That's not a good sign. Whether it's the camel's back or the season, or Bochy's job, something is about to break.

Texas Rangers road woes continue after walk-off walk prompts Bruce Bochy’s blunt assessment

The Rangers lost 6-5 to the Los Angeles Angels Monday night on a bases-loaded walk drawn by Nolan Schanuel versus left-handed relief pitcher Hoby Milner in the bottom of the ninth inning. It was the first of a seven-game stretch against divisional opponents to finish the season's first half.

It is also an essential part of a road trip. One that shows the team still hasn't figured out how to win on the road.

If they don't figure it out soon, talk about "what if" the Rangers drop out of the playoff race will be replaced with "they did." And once that happens, then the questions become very different.

The biggest question, even before Texas leaves the playoff picture, is how much of the problems are on Bochy and POBO Chris Young and how much is on the players. It's hard to tell how much blame is shared with the guys pushing the buttons and how much is on the guys who are supposed to execute.

One could say that the Texas Rangers are searching for answers.