Rangers need a road woes turnaround if they want to get back in playoff race

When discussing just what is wrong with the Texas Rangers this year, there are plenty of answers at hand. The offense was so bad that the team fired its hitting coach early in the spring. The bullpen had problems early on as well. Now the team is starting to get bitten by the injury bug. But what has really taken center stage, in a big-picture type of way, for what's wrong is that Bruce Bochy's squad has real problems winning away from Globe Life.

The Rangers have their own problems when they are at home. The park has become a place where offense goes to die. Chris Young and the front office are working diligently to determine the cause. But even with offensive struggles, the team has been far better at home than on the road.

When they play anyone at home, the Texas Rangers are 26-17. That's good for second best in the division. However, on the road, they are 17-26. That record is the second-worst in the AL, ahead of only the Chicago White Sox (10-35).

Texas Rangers road woes: 17-26 away record puts playoff chase on the brink

After Friday's loss to the San Diego Padres in extra innings, the Rangers' record got worse. It sent their overall record to 43-45, and they now sit in fourth place in the AL West. They're 10 games behind the Houston Astros, and while first place feels like a dream, the playoffs are still a realistic goal.

Sitting just three games behind Seattle and a wildcard spot, a notable improvement in road record could spark a playoff run. The problem is that it's unclear why the Rangers have been so bad away from home.

Whatever the cause, the current road trip could certainly be viewed as the Texas Rangers' last, best chance to really get back into the playoff race. Friday's game was the first installment of a 10-game road trip to finish off the first half of the season. It feels anything less than 5-4 the rest of the way might be the final shovels of dirt on this season. The question is whether the team has that in them.