Athletics' early success has them as an early postseason contender originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After finishing the last four seasons under .500, two of which had 100+ losses (2022: 60-102 and 2023:50-112), the Athletics have looked like a viable contender to make the postseason. At 19-18, the Athletics are the only team above .500 in the American League West and are a game and a half ahead of the Seattle Mariners.
The Athletics look like they could win the division or make it into the wild card; that success comes as a surprise, as the team is still in its transition of moving to Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Athletics' early signs of success have them as an early favorite to make the postseason
The Athletics have not received some to little production from three of their core hitters: first baseman Nick Kurtz (.252 batting average with a .818 OPS), designated hitter Brent Rooker (.177/.598) and outfielder Tyler Soderstrom (.220/.743). Despite this lack of production, the Athletics ranked third on MLB.com's Thomas Harrigan's list of six teams whose success early on has made them postseason contenders.
"This placement is as much about the state of the AL West as it is about the Athletics," wrote Harrigan. "Every AL West team is two games under .500 or worse except for the A’s, who are in first place at 18-18 despite a -21 run differential. The A’s still aren’t pitching much (4.67 ERA), and their offense has been much less potent than expected, averaging only 4.25 runs per game."
More News:Cardinals' early signs of life have them as a postseason contender
The Athletics have not made the playoffs since 2020 (lost 3-1 to the Houston Astros in the ALDS) when they were called the Oakland Athletics. The Athletics have received a breakout season from catcher Shea Langeliers. Through 33 games, Langeliers, who recently became a brand-new father, is batting .338 with a 1.031 OPS and 11 home runs.
More News:
-
Pirates' surprise success has them favored to make the postseason
-
Reds' struggles aren't hindering their odds of making the playoffs
-
Rays' recent success adds to their chances of making the playoffs
-
Brandon Marsh helped show why the Phillies are better than they've been
-
Phillies Bryce Harper makes his feelings on Bryson Stott clear
