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No one loves to play the underdog more than the Oakland Athletics. That quality might come in very handy down the stretch as the A’s are really beginning to stumble. At the same time their nemesis Texas Rangers are striding and making all the right moves to run away with the division soon, the Athletics are getting into a time of trial and it could not come at a worse time for them.
Bartolo Colon has been steady and strong all year long and now he is struggling for the first time. Catcher John Jaso is very important to the pitching staff and the team as a whole but is out indefinitely with concussion symptoms that leave an open-ended disabled list stay. Over all they are still fighting hard and playing well but the few struggles that all teams go through are upon them now. They have a lot of underdog like things to do if they plan to keep pace with the Rangers.
At the same time the Rangers keep adding current and former all-star players, this happens to the A’s. But all is not lost. They are just a small amount behind the Rangers and more than within striking distance of a series-worth of games. It will not be easy with a tired and faltering bullpen but the A’s need to do everything they can possibly do to stay within three games of the Rangers or four at the most.
It will be a little while before they play them again one on one but when they do the A’s have got to take advantage. For that to even be an option they have to be within close enough range that they don’t have to sweep them in six straight contests to have a chance. This is the time of the year that the A’s usually start showing what they have. It’s now or never boys, show us what you’ve got.
David Miller is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
