Plenty at stake as contending Rangers, Astros clash

(Photo credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images)

A pair of American League West rivals that took a step in the wrong direction in their respective playoff races on Sunday get a chance to reverse course when Texas Rangers and host Houston Astros open a critical three-game series on Monday night.

Right-handers Jack Leiter (9-8, 3.81 ERA) of the Rangers and Jason Alexander (4-1, 2.82 with Houston, 4.19 overall) of th