The Oakland Athletics Now Have Firm Control of the AL West
By Danny Saeed
Sep 15, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits a home run during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
After sweeping the Texas Rangers last week, the Oakland Athletics now hold a six and a half game lead in the American League West.
Prior to last night’s blowout, as the A’s fell to the Los Angeles Angels, Oakland had won 13 out of their last 16. With Yoenis Cespedes finally swinging a hot bat, and Josh Donaldson leading the way with consistent great play, the A’s are once again proving that they are the team to beat in the American League West.
Nevertheless, let’s not jump the gun here. There are still 12 games remaining in the regular season, and Oakland is facing the red hot Angels who have won seven of their last ten, and are currently on a three game win streak.
“It’s a good lead, but we can’t pay too much attention to the standings right now,” Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson told MLB.com. “We don’t want to get too comfortable. We want to continue steadily getting better, as we have. Hopefully that takes us to where we want to go.”
The All-Star caliber third baseman understands that with a team like the Rangers, anything is still possible.
In spite of that, I do firmly believe the A’s have control of the AL West. The A’s are playing some of their best baseball at a time when it’s indispensable. On the contrary, the Rangers are playing some of their worst. They are riding a seven game losing streak and have only won one game out of their last ten.
“It’s pretty tough right now,” said shortstop Elvis Andrus after a 6-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. “Definitely things aren’t going our way. We’re tired, actually (of talking about it), but we’ve got to keep playing. That’s the only way we’ll get out of this.”
The Athletics have a relatively easier schedule from here on out. After they finish their current series with the Angels which consists of two more games, they will go on to face the Minnesota Twins, then the Angels again, and lastly a three game series with the Seattle Mariners to finish off the regular season.
On the other hand, the Rangers just began a four game series with the Tampa Bay Rays with a loss last night. After, they will go on to face the Houston Astros, then a four game series with the Angels to finish off their season.
Taking everything into account, the A’s unquestionably have the upper hand in the AL West. With a bit of an easier schedule along with a six and a half game lead, Oakland assuredly has control of the division. I don’t see the Rangers taking that from them, although anything is still possible with twelve games remaining.