The Texas Rangers and the Oakland Athletics have been locked in a battle for the American League West all season and after slumping and falling into the wild card last season, the Rangers are in a dangerous position as they try to make the playoffs and Ron Washington could be on his way out if the team slumps again.
Last season the Rangers had the AL West locked up before collapsing at the end and after giving the division to the Athletics, the team lost in the wild card to the Baltimore Orioles and now they could be in trouble of missing the playoffs altogether. According to ESPN.com, Washington said that the recent seven game losing streak by the team is not an issue and obviously the streak is over after they defeated the Rays on Tuesday night, but that doesn't change the battle they are currently in.
ESPN.com reports that Washington doesn't think the slump will be an issue when it comes to his job and general manager Jon Daniels said that Washington is not on the chopping block. Daniels said that the team is in a playoff position now and that they will continue to play hard to keep the spot. The team hit a very rough patch over the past week, losing seven straight games and also going a stretch where they did not lead a game for over 60 innings, but that all ended with the win on Tuesday after a home run from Ian Kinsler to start the game.
The Rangers are nearly seven games out of the division race and that appears over, while the team, now is just ahead of the Indians in the wild card race. Washington has been a great manager for the Rangers, taking them to two straight World Series appearances before last season, but their slump could end up costing him his job, whether Daniels says so now or not.
The Rangers embarrassed themselves last season with the way they slumped and gave away the division and then the team gave away the wild card game after Josh Hamilton blew a play in the field. The team has been one of the best offensive clubs in baseball, but with Nelson Cruz gone for his suspension, the power has not been there despite the team ranking eight in runs and eighth in batting average.
If the team misses the playoffs again or is beat in bad fashion by the Rays or Indians, Washington's job could be on the line.