Rangers’ goal shifts to home-field advantage

OAKLAND — What’s next? Who knows.

By clinching the American League West title with eight games left in the regular season, thanks to a 3-0 win over the A’s on Friday night, the Rangers have plenty of time to rest and relax before the postseason begins. But there is still work to be done.

The Rangers’ first postseason game won’t be until Oct. 6, and the AL Division Series pairings may not be set until the final day of the schedule or beyond if a one-game playoff is needed to determine one or both of the Wild Card berths. The Rangers aren’t even sure where they will be when the ALDS opens.

• Get official AL West champs gear

They hope it will be Globe Life Park in Arlington, which will be the case if they finish with the best record in the AL. They are competing against the Red Sox and Indians, but securing the top seed would give the Rangers home-field advantage throughout the postseason. The division winner with the second-best record earns three home games in the best-of-five first round.

FINAL: Rangers 3, Athletics 0. #NeverEverQuit pic.twitter.com/6Mj1s1nKcC

— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) September 24, 2016

FINAL: Rangers 3, Athletics 0. #NeverEverQuit pic.twitter.com/6Mj1s1nKcC

The Rangers enter Saturday a half-game ahead of the Indians and one game ahead of the Red Sox, both of whom lead their divisions but have not clinched.

“It’s important. No matter who you play, you want to start at home,” said third baseman Adrian Beltre, who homered in Friday’s clincher. “Playing at your place is easier and you have the fans on your side.”

The AL won the All-Star Game, earning four home games in the …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com