The Texas Rangers clinched their first playoff berth since 2016 with a 6-1 win over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday at T-Mobile Park. A few minutes later in Arizona, the reigning champion Houston Astros stamped their ticket to the postseason with a 1-0 win over the Diamondbacks, a result that eliminated the Mariners.
The Rangers’ magic number to clinch the AL West title is down to one, with a single game left to play. Houston will win the division with a win on Sunday and a Rangers loss.
“We’re still trying to win this division. But to get there, you work too hard from spring training to pass this up,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. “You got to enjoy it. You got to celebrate.”