The Knicks have something special brewing as road to NBA Finals looks wide open
The Knicks are on a six-game winning streak and lead the 76ers 3-0, eyeing the NBA Finals!
The Athletics are currently 19-18, making them the only team above .500 in the American League West. Their early success positions them as potential postseason contenders amid their transition to Las Vegas.
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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 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 (.220/.743). Despite this lack of production, the Athletics ranked third on 's list of six teams whose success early on has made them postseason contenders.
The Athletics currently have a record of 19-18 in the 2023 season.
The Athletics are a game and a half ahead of the Seattle Mariners in the American League West.
The Athletics are in a transition period as they move to Las Vegas, Nevada, which adds to the challenges they face this season.
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"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."
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.
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