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The Rangers started the season much like they ended today: with a sweep of the Cleveland Indians. And while improved pitching has vaulted the Rangers into the midst of a pennant race, Texas’ one and two starters to begin the season haven’t had a whole lot to contribute of late. Vicente Padilla was released a month ago and Kevin Millwood has hit a wall after a tremendous first half, leaving the Rangers’ young pitchers to pick up the slack.

But for a team that gets some of the best value out its players of any team in baseball, it’s no surprise that their biggest most of their biggest contributors are guys with sub-million salaries. After being burned by big contracts over the last few years, the front office is well aware of the perils of the free agent market, which is why they have to carefully ponder what to do with veterans like Marlon Byrd and Ivan Rodriguez. And, in the wake of the Danny Gutierrez trade, the Rangers seem to already be looking ahead at who will be on next year’s 40-man roster.

Another key element to the drop in runs allowed this year has been the big defensive improvement the Rangers have made. Elvis Andrus is 3rd in UZR and 2nd in RngR among ML shortstops, and they have two players — Nelson Cruz and Marlon Byrd — who rank in the top 20 among outfielders in UZR/150. As a team, the Rangers have a chance to allow the fewest unearned runs in franchise history, and it’s all combined to help them to their second-best record ever through 139 games.

Yet their still on the outside of the playoff picture at the moment, and one thing is for sure: if Texas doesn’t make it to October, you know who — or what — to blame.