Rangers fire manager Chris Woodward with team out of playoff picture
With a pair of big free-agent signings in the infield with Corey Seager and Marcus Semien over the offseason, Texas Rangers fans had high hopes of the team making their first playoff appearance since 2016 this fall. As they enter play Monday with a 51-63 record and 9 1/2 games out of the American League playoff picture, those dreams are quickly fading.
On Monday, the Rangers announced the firing of manager Chris Woodward, who had been at the helm since the start of the 2019 campaign. Third base coach Tony Beasley has been named the team's interim manager.
Woodward's firing comes one month after the Toronto Blue Jays handed Charlie Montoyo the pink slip. Over in the National League, the Philadelphia Philles let go of manager Joe Girardi in early June. The Angels also fired Joe Maddon.
While Texas has a significant uphill climb to get back into postseason contention, the Blue Jays currently hold the top AL wild card spot with a 61-52 record. The Phillies have had a big turnaround and enter action on Monday with a 63-51 mark, good enough to hold the third Wild Card spot in the National League.
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