For the sake of consistency, the title of this column will remain homestand thoughts. But the times for thoughts are long gone. Trends, individual performances, and prolonged stretches no longer matter. Results matter. How you got there doesn't. Did you win today? If yes, good. If no, bad. It's that simple.

In all honesty, if this nine-game homestand took place sometime over the summer, the reviews would not be all too glowing. Five wins and four losses, pretty good on paper.

Yet your All-Star closer gave up two late-inning home runs, both of which could have crushed your season and playoff hopes. The starting pitching is pretty much non-existent. Your star players are not producing like star players. Almost everything about the Rangers in this homestand shows why they are a game under .500 heading into the final weekend of the season.

God Bless the 2026 Houston Astros.

Every time you think the Rangers have somehow put together a fatal result, the Astros respond in a big way. The American League West, plain and simple, is a complete joke. Nobody deserves to win this thing. On Wednesday night, I was not discounting both the Rangers and Astros losing out, only for the Seattle Mariners to sneak in.

However. If the Rangers are the ones popping champagne bottles at some point, you never apologize for winning. Especially as a franchise that's missed the playoffs eight of the last nine seasons. A division title banner has not been hung in a decade. Be frustrated with the team, sure. Do not be frustrated with a playoff berth.

I'm getting ahead of myself, though. At least 27 innings of baseball remain against the Minnesota Twins. How many of those do the Rangers need to win? Two might be enough. But three is likely the answer. As bad as the Astros have been, they are still playing the A's. In Sacramento too, meaning balls will be flying out of the ballpark.

There is nothing to do but flush what just took place at Globe Life Field. Look ahead and do whatever it takes to beat the Minnesota Twins. Then say some prayers and hope the A's are able to squeeze out a result or two.

Jacob deGrom will take the mound on Friday with the magic number at four. deGrom, hopefully, will get the Game 2 start in the American League Wild Card Series against the Chicago White Sox.