MLB: Ranking the Top 10 Teams Right Now
9) Oakland Athletics
Aug 18, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics celebrate after the final out in a game against the Cleveland Indians at O.co Coliseum. Oakland won 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
The Oakland Athletics looked like they were going to easily win the AL West. Now they are half a game behind Texas. Since the All-Star Break, the A’s have gone 14-14. Batting, like with Pittsburgh, is a problem for Oakland; the team has the 24th best (or seventh worst) batting average in the major leagues. The Athletics also have a decent pitching staff, and the organization was able to breathe a huge sigh of relief when Bartolo Colon wasn’t among those suspended for their involvement with Biogenesis.
Oakland has a decent team, but they are finding themselves losing to a lot of teams they should, in theory, beat. For example, the Athletics lost series to the Angels, Toronto, and even Houston since the All-Star Break. There’s a good chance the Athletics won’t continue to lose to “inferior” teams, but it is cause for concern.