5 reasons the Texas Rangers can win the World Series

Aug 23, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Mike Napoli (25) receives congratulations from Rougned Odor (12) after he hits a home run in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

5 of 6

Jun 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of the MLB logo during a rain delay in the game between the Texas Rangers and the Minnesota Twins at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Lack of home-field advantage will not matter

With only four weeks left in the regular season, the Texas Rangers sit three games back of the Houston Astros in the American League West.

Given their hot streak over the past two months, anything is possible, but their most likely playoff scenario will be as the second wild card team in the American League. This means no home-field advantage until the World Series.

Freakonomics conducted a study in conjunction with NFL.com in 2011, detailing just how much home-field advantage impacts the outcome of a game. The study found that of the five major sports leagues in North America, MLB teams benefit the least from playing on their home field.

Between 1903 and 2011, the home team in baseball won just under 54 percent of the time, far from a significant advantage.

Nonetheless, it is an advantage, and one that Texas will not enjoy in 2015. Fortunately for the Rangers, they have thrived away from home this season.

While they are currently just a .500 team at home, they have the second-best road record in the MLB at 37-30. For a team that will need to succeed away from home to advance this postseason, the Rangers’ ability to win on the road could be much more important than home-field advantage.

Next: 1. They have made a complete turnaround since July

Home/MLB