The Texas Rangers are running away with the American League West division this season and they are now considered serious World Series contenders at the sports betting website. The Rangers are 5-1 to win the World Series in baseball odds at sports betting companies. Sports betting website odds favor the New York Yankees at 2-1 to win the World Series but the Rangers are now the second choice at 5-1. The Rangers are having such a good season that Texas wants to re-sign manager Ron Washington. Texas general manager Jon Daniels said that the team will work on an extension for Washington after the season as they don’t want to distract from the regular season.
The Rangers were recently purchased at auction by Nolan Ryan and partner Chuck Greenberg. They said that they would like Washington to return next year. Washington did not get an extension before this season began but the Rangers did keep Washington as manager and it is paying off as Texas has been one of the best teams in the league this season. Third baseman Michael Young is giving a lot of the credit to Washington.
The Rangers have improved every season under Washington. They were 75-87 in Washington’s first season which was 2007. They improved to 79-83 in 2008 and 87-75 in 2009. They are going to improve again this season as they are on pace for more than 90 wins. They have pretty much wrapped up the American League West as they are well clear of Oakland and Los Angeles.
Texas has a chance to finish with the best record in the league this season but they will have to chase down New York and Tampa Bay. The Rangers do have an easier schedule than both of those teams though and it is not out of the question for Texas to have home field advantage in the playoffs. The Rangers are hitting the ball well again this season as they are fourth in the league in runs per game. The difference for Texas this season has been the pitching as they are in the Top 10 in the league in ERA. When a team is ranked in the Top 10 in both hitting and in ERA they are going to be a force vs. the baseball odds.