Why Do the Texas Rangers Play Better Against Better Teams?

As I wait for the game against the Tigers to start tonight I finally have a moment to share something that I researched yesterday. 

In short, the Rangers play better against the top-tier teams than they do against the bottom dwellers.  Please forgive me if my numbers aren't exact, I did the research yesterday, and there were still some games going on.

I started off wondering how much of a chance the Rangers really had to make it to the playoffs, and then to win a series.  As I thought about it I couldn't help but  remember impressive games against the Red Sox and Angels which made me wonder, how have we done against the top teams?

I consider the top teams to be those leading their division, as well as the AL West teams, since that is ultimately who you are competing against to win your division. 

These are the teams with their respective records:

AL East: Yankees, 59-38; Red Sox, 56-39; Tampa Bay, 53-44

AL Central: Tigers, 51-44; White Sox, 50-47

AL West: Angels, 57-38; Mariners, 51-45; Oakland, 41-55

As of yesterday, the Rangers' record was 53-41, which is a .564 winning percentage.  Their record against the above teams is 32-21, which is a .604 winning percentage.  It doesn't take a math genius to see which number is better.

These numbers give me some hope that we actually can compete, and that we could even win a series or two if the stars align just right. 

But it also scared me.

Why can't we seem to beat the teams that "suck"?  53 of the 94 games we have played have been against teams at the top of their divisions and we have played well in those games.

Coincidentally the one team we have really struggled with this season is the Tigers, and they are in town for the next three days.  Hopefully, we can find a way to win, but alas, I digress.

In the 41 games against other teams, we have won 21, which is just barely over .500, not exactly what you need to make a deep run into the playoffs. 

So what is it that is keeping us from winning?

I can't figure it out.  If I had a team of statisticians I might be able to discover something based on the stats, but instead I will make my own personal, completely non-scientific guess.

We don't try as hard against bad teams.

It may very well be as simple as that.  People don't often mention looking past an opponent in baseball because there are so many games, but I still think it happens.  It is totally reasonable to think that we rest a little when the competition isn't as good.

It may also be that some of the better players get rest against the worse teams.  Again, not unreasonable to expect this, as most players need rest, and why would you rest them against a really good team.

Here is my plea to the team:

Wake up and play no matter who is in the other dugout.  Put your best on the field everyday.  That is the only way you will ever make the playoffs and make a run.  You have the talent and ability, but maybe some days you need just a little more heart.

If you play with the heart you have had this last week in some very close games, then we all have reason to believe we will make it at long last.