AL Pennant Current Odds: A Look at the American League Race

We had our first taste of the new baseball season this week, with spring training now underway. As nice as it is to have baseball back, we are all well aware that preseason games don’t mean much in the grand scheme of things.

AL Pennant Odds | MLB Expert Analysis on Top Teams to Win the American League

Yes, it’s good to get a look at every team and get an idea of their squad depth, but we often see poor teams overperform in spring training, while potential contenders stumble their way through the preseason. All of that said, I think we all have an idea of the teams that are likely to do well this season, as do the bookies. With that in mind, let’s turn our attention to the American League Odds and look at some of the current favorites.

Houston Astros

When trying to pick a potential winner of the AL pennant, you have to look at consistency, which is something that the Astros have in spades. They have been to the ALCS in each of the last 7 seasons, so it’s no surprise that the bookies have them as the top pick this season. All of that said, is there a reason to be concerned about the Astros. Yes, they won the West again last season, but they did so with 90 wins, their lowest total, not counting the shortened COVID season, in that 7-year stretch.

New York Yankees

We all know that expectations are high in New York, so last season’s poor showing is something that is not going to sit well with fans. While injuries certainly played a role in the Yankees going 82-80 last year, the front office still seemed to believe that upgrades were needed. The Yankees made some big offseason moves, with the general consensus being that they look like the most improved squad heading into the new season. The big question is whether it will be enough to get them back to 2022 form, when they won the East and went to the ALCS.

Texas Rangers

After a tense battle that went all the way down to the wire, the Rangers had to settle for 2nd in the West behind the Astros, which meant they had to take the long road to the World Series. They won 5 straight in the opening 2 rounds before needing all 7 games to top Houston in the ALCS. They made things look very easy in the World Series, beating the Diamondbacks in 5 games. The 2024 Rangers are once again going to be an offensive powerhouse, but there are some concerns about their bullpen. If they can overcome that, they could become the first team to repeat since 2000.

Baltimore Orioles

After years of wallowing in the cellar, the Orioles young squad showed some signs of life in 2022, before putting it all together last season and crossing the 100-win mark to win the East. Their lack of playoff experience very quickly became apparent, though, as they fell at the first hurdle in the playoffs in a sweep at the hands of the Rangers in the ALDS. This is a team that, I believe, is still to deliver the best, so I would not feel bad about placing a few bucks on them to win the AL this season.

2023 AL Pennant Odds: MLB Expert Analysis on Top Teams to Win | MyBookie MLB Preview

The wildcard round is over in Major League Baseball, and we are down to just eight teams remaining. Four in the National League and four in the American League.

Let’s take a look at those four teams in the American League and give the odds to win the AL Pennant as we get ready to start the divisional round.

2023 Major League Baseball season | 123rd edition of MLB baseball in the United States
MLB Week 25: Monday September 25th – Sunday October 1st, 2023

Houston Astros

2023 AL Pennant Odds: +186

Dusty Baker and his Houston Astros got the week off to prepare for their divisional series.

The Astros starting pitching has struggled for much of the season. They need about three weeks of solid pitching from guys like Framber Valdez, Christian Javier, and Justin Verlander. If they can get the required starting pitchings, guys in their lineup, like Jose Altuve and Jose Abreu, along with Kyle Tucker, will come through when needed.

This will be a tough team to eliminate, and giving them the extra time off may have been the motivation they needed. Houston starts a best-of-five series with the Twins.

Baltimore Orioles

2023 AL Pennant Odds: +270

The Orioles won the American League East. That was an incredible feat, but this team is not satisfied. The Orioles have a young nucleus and a pitching staff with many questions.

Can the offense come through in tough, pressure October situations? Can the pitching staff hold up and get the big outs they need?

It will be fun seeing postseason baseball in Baltimore. The Orioles start a best-of-five series with the Rangers. Texas will likely be unable to use lefthander Jordan Montgomery until at least Game 2.

Texas Rangers

2023 AL Pennant Odds: +490

The Texas Rangers were impressive in their back-to-back blowout wins over the Tampa Bay Rays. Montgomery was solid in Game 1, and Eovaldi was good in Game 2.

The offense is loaded, and this is a tough team to beat when all clicking. It was no fluke that Bruce Bochy’s squad fought for the top spot in the American League for much of the season.

The Rangers lost a chance to win the division on the season’s final day, but they have no problems being road warriors in this next series. The Rangers will get home games on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.

Minnesota Twins

2023 AL Pennant Odds: +500

Not many gave the Twins a chance. This is a team that won their division, albeit a poor division. But this team has many pieces. Their starting pitching has been outstanding. With winning quickly, the Twins should be able to use Lopez again on Sunday and then have Gray ready for Game 3 on Tuesday.

The Twins have had the best starting pitching in the league, and guys like Carlos Correa always seem to find a way in the postseason. Minnesota will be rocking when the Twins get to town, as they finally found a way to win in the postseason.

There it is. Just four teams remain. There are no big surprises: four of the best teams in Major League Baseball this season. The three divisional winners and a Texas team that was flirting with the best record in the league all season.

Previous Betting News

With the MLB All-Star Game now in the rearview mirror, the MLB season is heading into the home stretch, although with each team still having roughly 70 games to play, a lot can change between now and the start of the playoffs. One thing that will almost certainly change over the next couple of months is the odds on each team to win the World Series. Bettors have a decision to make at this point, which is to make their World Series pick now, or wait a bit to see if the odds take a more favorable turn. If you are looking at one of the favorites, chances are those odds might shorten, so waiting might not be the way to go. Either way, we are going to take a look at the current World Series odds and specifically look at both the American and National League races. Heck, there might even be a prediction or two.

Updated MLB Odds to win the World Series, Predictions for AL & NL

American League

With the AL once again winning the All-Star Game, we know that whichever team makes it to the World Series will have home field advantage. It is a great race in the AL, with all 3 division leaders sitting on 57 wins, although the Chicago White Sox have the best win percentage, albeit by the slimmest of margins. The White Sox are currently in at +500 to win the World Series, while the Houston Astros, who are sitting atop the AL West are at +550. Perhaps surprising at the moment is the fact that the leaders of the AL East, the Boston Red Sox, are still available at +1200.

As far as winning the AL Pennant goes, it is the White Sox and Astros who are the clear favorites. While the Boston Red Sox are certainly in the mix, you have the Tampa Bay Rays, who play in the same division, in at +550 to win the pennant.

The White Sox have the best home record in the AL, which makes them a real threat if the can make it to the postseason with the best record, as that would mean home field advantage throughout. Personally, I like the Astros to come out of the American League.

National League

The San Francisco Giants are leading the way in the NL with 59 wins, which is the best in the league at this time. They are, though, just 2 games up on the LA Dodgers, who have 58 wins. In the other divisions, we have the Milwaukee Brewers with a 7 ½ game lead in the Central and the New York Mets with a 2 ½ game lead in the East. It is the Dodgers at +425 who are in as the overall favorites to win the World Series, while the Giants are down at +1000. As for the other division leaders, the Brewers are at +950, while the Mets are at +950.

In terms of the NL Pennant, the bookies have the Dodgers sitting at +210 right now, while the Padres, who are 5 ½ games off the pace in the West, are at +375. Those two are the clear favorites to win the pennant, but I would not sleep on the Giants. They have been very good on the road, going 29-21, which is going to come in handy once the playoffs begin.

Previous Betting News

With the MLB All-Star Game now in the rearview mirror, the MLB season is heading into the home stretch, although with each team still having roughly 70 games to play, a lot can change between now and the start of the playoffs. One thing that will almost certainly change over the next couple of months is the odds on each team to win the World Series. Bettors have a decision to make at this point, which is to make their World Series pick now, or wait a bit to see if the odds take a more favorable turn. If you are looking at one of the favorites, chances are those odds might shorten, so waiting might not be the way to go. Either way, we are going to take a look at the current World Series odds and specifically look at both the American and National League races. Heck, there might even be a prediction or two.

Updated MLB Odds to win the World Series, Predictions for AL & NL

American League

With the AL once again winning the All-Star Game, we know that whichever team makes it to the World Series will have home field advantage. It is a great race in the AL, with all 3 division leaders sitting on 57 wins, although the Chicago White Sox have the best win percentage, albeit by the slimmest of margins. The White Sox are currently in at +500 to win the World Series, while the Houston Astros, who are sitting atop the AL West are at +550. Perhaps surprising at the moment is the fact that the leaders of the AL East, the Boston Red Sox, are still available at +1200.

As far as winning the AL Pennant goes, it is the White Sox and Astros who are the clear favorites. While the Boston Red Sox are certainly in the mix, you have the Tampa Bay Rays, who play in the same division, in at +550 to win the pennant.

The White Sox have the best home record in the AL, which makes them a real threat if the can make it to the postseason with the best record, as that would mean home field advantage throughout. Personally, I like the Astros to come out of the American League.

National League

The San Francisco Giants are leading the way in the NL with 59 wins, which is the best in the league at this time. They are, though, just 2 games up on the LA Dodgers, who have 58 wins. In the other divisions, we have the Milwaukee Brewers with a 7 ½ game lead in the Central and the New York Mets with a 2 ½ game lead in the East. It is the Dodgers at +425 who are in as the overall favorites to win the World Series, while the Giants are down at +1000. As for the other division leaders, the Brewers are at +950, while the Mets are at +950.

In terms of the NL Pennant, the bookies have the Dodgers sitting at +210 right now, while the Padres, who are 5 ½ games off the pace in the West, are at +375. Those two are the clear favorites to win the pennant, but I would not sleep on the Giants. They have been very good on the road, going 29-21, which is going to come in handy once the playoffs begin.

Previous Betting News

When the 2021 Major League Baseball season opened back in late March, the New York Yankees were the favorites on the MLB odds to win the American League pennant. However, they have disappointed and are now +800 to do so. The betting favorites at +250 each are the Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox.

Major League Baseball | Who will win the American League pennant?

At 54-35, the White Sox lead the AL Central by a whopping eight games. Chicago is succeeding despite major injuries suffered by outfielders Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert, second baseman Nick Madrigal and catcher Yasmani Grandal. Madrigal is done for the year, so expect Chicago to make a trade for a second baseman by the deadline. The other three all will be back at some point.

There was some concern when Jimenez might miss the season after suffering a ruptured left pectoral tendon in March, but he’s way ahead of schedule and on a rehab assignment. The 24-year-old — who played in his first rehab game Saturday for the Class A Winston-Salem Dash and hit a homer — will be transferred to the Class AAA Charlotte Knights beginning Tuesday.

“When we allow ourselves, I mean, as a team, to be where we are without him (Jiménez), and without Luis (Robert) and (Nick) Madrigal, you know, the whole litany of issues, and now Yaz (Yasmani Grandal), you know, the guys start to own the fact that they’re gonna play hard and play with whoever we got,” La Russa said. “But they know that help is on the way.”

Andrew Vaughn has done quite well filling in for Jimenez both offensively and defensively. The rookie is batting .253 with 10 homers and 26 RBIs. Robert, meanwhile, should be back sometime next month as should Grandal. The Sox will open the second half with a six-game homestand vs. Houston and then Minnesota.

White Sox starting pitchers lead the American League in wins (38) strikeouts (550) and opp. slugging (.362), rank second in ERA (3.38), opp. average (.222) and OPS (.652) and third in IP (481.1). The Sox rotation has allowed two runs or less in 56 games (16 scoreless) this season, the second-most in the AL (Houston, 57).

Chicago is attempting to make the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history. The Sox have been in first place every day since May 7. This is the latest into a season the Sox have been in first since 2012.

Houston is 55-36 and leads the AL West by 3.5 games over Oakland. There is some concern, though, over starting pitcher Zack Greinke as he left his final start over the weekend with elbow soreness. Manager Dusty Baker decided four innings were enough because Greinke wasn’t as sharp with his fastball like usual and he was throwing a lot of curveballs. Even after Saturday’s abbreviated outing, the 37-year-old right-hander leads the American League in innings, with 115 1/3.

“It’s been bothering me for a little over a month,” Greinke said. “And just hoping to have a shorter start this time with a bit of extra days from the All-Star break and be rested for the second half is the goal.”

The Astros have gone 41-21 (.661) vs. teams with .500-or-better records this season, which are the most wins and is the best winning pct. against .500+ opponents by any team in the Majors this season. That includes 12 series victories over .500+ opponents.

The Yankees are 46-43 and would miss the playoffs as things stand but enter the All-Star break with a record of .500-or-better for the 25^th consecutive season. That marks the second-longest streak in Major League history behind the Yankees’ 32 straight seasons from 1933-64. New York has posted a winning record after the All-Star break in each of the last 27 seasons with an All-Star break (1993-2019), the second-longest such streak in Major League history, behind their own 32-year streak from 1933-64.

Expert MLB Pick

White Sox

Previous Betting News

The Houston Astros have won the AL pennant two of the past three seasons but are the +400 second-favorites in 2020 at +400 via Mybookie. The favorites are the New York Yankees at +150 even though they already have lost All-Star pitcher Luis Severino to season-ending Tommy John surgery. Let’s check the Odds to Win the AL Pennant.

American League Pennant Predictions & Odds

Severino went 19-8 with a 3.39 ERA in 2018 and was given a $40 million, four-year contract. He was scratched from his first scheduled spring training appearance on March 5 last year because of rotator cuff inflammation in his right shoulder. He wouldn’t make his first appearance for the Yankees until Sept. 17. Severino was 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA over 12 innings in three regular-season starts for New York, then was 0-1 with a 2.16 ERA over 8⅓ innings in a pair of postseason outings.

The 26-year-old has proven to be a high-grade starter when healthy. In 99 career appearances, he’s accumulated a 3.46 ERA (125 ERA+) and 3.93 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Fellow starter Domingo German will miss 63 games due to a suspension stemming from his violation of the league’s domestic violence policy. German went 18-4 with a 4.03 ERA in 27 games (24 starts) last year.

The Yankees secured their 27th consecutive winning season last year (1993-2019). It marks the second-longest such streak among Major League teams all time, trailing only the Yankees’ run of 39 straight winning seasons from 1926-64. The team also secured its 28th consecutive winning season at home (went 57-24 at home in 2019), extending its run since 1992. It is the second-longest such streak in Major League history, trailing only the Yankees’ 47-year home winning streak from 1918-64.

Aaron Boone trails only Ralph Houk (205 wins with the Yankees from 1961-62) for most wins by any manager over his first two seasons at the helm. Boone is the first manager in baseball history to guide his team to at least 100 wins in each of his first two seasons as skipper.

Houston fell just short of their second championship in franchise history, dropping the World Series in seven games to the Washington Nationals. It marked the Astros third trip to the World Series in franchise history (also, 2005, 2017). The Astros homered in their final 25 regular season games and in the 2019 postseason, giving them a franchise record 30-game streak. It was the second-longest streak in MLB history, trailing only a 31-game streak set by the Yankees from May 26-June 30, 2019.

The Minnesota Twins are +600 third-favorites for the pennant. They were swept in the 2019 ALDS by the Yankees, becoming the first 100-win team in baseball history to be swept in the Division Series (finished 101-61). They also were the first 100-win team to be swept in the first round of the postseason since the 1980 Royals swept the Yankees in the ALCS.

Overall, Minnesota is on an unthinkable 16-game postseason losing streak dating back to Game One of the ALDS in 2004. That’s tied the Chicago Blackhawks (1975-79) of the NHL for the longest postseason losing streak ever among the four major sports.

The 2019 Twins hit 307 home runs, setting a new major league record, and surpassing their previous club record of 225, set in 1963. They scored 939 runs, also setting a new club record, passing their previous total of 877, set in 1996.

This offseason, the Twins added third baseman and former AL MVP Josh Donaldson in free agency. Donaldson is back in the American League after one season with the Braves. After an injury-marred 2018 season he bounced back to the tune of .259/.379/.521 with 37 bombs and 94 RBI last year.

The Tampa Bay Rays (+800) and Oakland A’s (+950) round out the American League pennant favorites. The Rays enter the 2020 season on the heels of a 96-66 (.593) record—their second straight season with 90-plus wins—and a trip to the AL Division Series. They welcome back all three of their 2019 All-Stars—RH Charlie Morton, OF Austin Meadows and 2B Brandon Lowe—as well as three-time Gold Glove Award winner Kevin Kiermaier and 2018 AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell. Since becoming the Rays in 2008, the Rays have seven 90-win seasons, a number matched by only three other teams in baseball: the Dodgers (8), Red Sox (7) and Yankees (7).

American League Pennant Predictions

Yankees over White Sox (+1200) in ALCS.

Previous Betting News

It looks like the American League Pennant winner will either be the New York Yankees or the Houston Astros. As any MLB handicapper will tell us, though, once the playoffs start, anything can happen. Check out the updated AL Pennant odds as well as analysis and predictions!

2019 MLB AL Pennant Odds and Predictions for Second Half

Which team among the Yankees, Twins, and Astros is the best bet to win the AL Pennant?

It’s difficult to look past the New York Yankees. As of July 15, the Yankees are 59-33. They’re 5 games ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays and 9 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox in the AL East Division. But, the Yankees only rank ninth in pitching. Their starting rotation has a 4.05 ERA. When it comes to batting, NYY ranks sixth with a .265 batting average. The bullpen ranks eighth with a 3.96 ERA. The stats don’t imply the Yankees win the AL.

The stats also throw shade on the Minnesota Twins. The Twins are 58-34 and 6 games ahead of the Cleveland Indians. Minnesota has better stats than the Yankees. The starting rotation has a 3.92 ERA. Also, the Twins hit .271 as a team. But, Minnesota’s bullpen ranks eleventh. That could hurt them come playoff time.

That leaves us with the Houston Astros. The Stros rank fifth in pitching, a 3.94 ERA, fourth in hitting, a .269 batting average, and seventh in bullpen ERA, 3.95. The Houston Astros also have the required experience to win the pennant. Once the playoffs start, the Astros should be very difficult to beat.

Which team among the Rays, Red Sox, Indians, Rangers, and Athletics can win the American League?

Boston, Cleveland, Texas, and Oakland all have a shot to make the playoffs. Once you’re in the playoffs, you can win the pennant. None of those teams have as much of a chance of winning in the playoffs as the Tampa Bay Rays.

If the Rays make the playoffs, they’ll be one of the most dangerous teams in the postseason. Tampa ranks first in overall pitching. Rays’ starters have a ridiculously low 3.35 team ERA. The bullpen is also fantastic. It ranks third with a 3.75 ERA.

Tampa Bay can put together an entire pitching plan in playoff games. The key for the Rays is to make the playoffs. If you like the Rays, back them right now at +1100. There’s still plenty of time for Tampa to overtake the Yankees and win the AL East.

Is there a big underdog that can take the American League Pennant?

The Angels are the only underdog with a puncher’s chance of winning the AL Pennant. If Los Angeles can trade for a viable starting pitcher, someone like Madison Bumgarner, they might have a chance to make the playoffs.

Even with Bumgarner, it won’t be a great chance because the bullpen ranks fifteenth, but at least they’ll have a shot. No other team in the American League: Mariners, Blue Jays, Orioles, Tigers, etc., has any shot of beating the more favored teams. If you want to take a swing for the fences, back the L.A. Angels.

Previous Betting News

Top MLB AL betting picks this weekend include the Yankees versus Red Sox on Saturday, August 4. In addition one of the best rivalries in sports, Saturday’s other top pick happens when Houston battles the Dodgers in a great interleague matchup. Sunday’s top AL picks include the L.A. Angels at Cleveland and the Toronto Blue Jays taking on top AL squad Seattle.

MLB AL Betting Picks for August 4 and August 5

Saturday, August 4

New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox

Yankee starter Chance Adams is a newbie. He’s never thrown a game in his life in The Show. Does that mean Adams has a shot on Saturday? Maybe. More than likely, the Boston Red Sox offense will absolutely dominate Adams.

That doesn’t mean Boston is the play to win. The thing to consider is that the Yankees sport the best bullpen in MLB. Boston will go off a heavy favorite in this. The Yankees have a shot if Adams only gives up something like 3 to 4 runs before NYY pulls him.

The Yankees are the play.

MLB AL Betting Pick: New York Yankees

Houston Astros at L.A. Dodgers

This is a question of whether the Dodgers can get to Houston pitcher Lance McCuller Jr. In last year’s World Series, McCullers Jr. dominated the Dodgers. This season, he’s got a winning 10 and 6 record to go along with a decent 4.06 ERA.

McCullers Jr. held the Dodgers to a .188 batting average last season. Will McCullers be great versus LAD on Saturday? Probably not. He hasn’t lasted more than 5.1 innings in his last 3 starts.

The Dodgers should take this game.

MLB AL Betting Pick: L.A. Dodgers

Sunday, August 5

L.A. Angels at Cleveland Indians

The L.A. Angels at Cleveland Indians should be a terrific game on Sunday. Angels’ starter Tyler Skaggs can throw a great game once in a while. He can also throw a dud like he did in the Angels’ 6 to 10 loss to Tampa Bay on July 31.

Cleveland starts Shane Bieber. Bieber’s 4.73 ERA and 1.42 WHIP aren’t spectacular. He could end up throwing a great game and Cleveland could still lose. The Tribe is only 1 and 3 in Bieber’s last 4 starts.

In a close matchup, it makes sense to go with the team getting odds. That’s the L.A. Angels. They’re the play.

MLB AL Betting PickPick: L.A. Angels

Toronto Blue Jays at Seattle Mariners

Sam Gaviglio is listed as Sunday’s starter for the Toronto Raptors. Gaviglio hasn’t had a great last month starts wise. The Mariners are 1 and 3 in Gaviglio’s last 4 starts. Toronto is actually 1 and 5 in Gaviglio’s last 6 starts.

Before that, the Blue Jays won 4 games in a row where Gaviglio started. Is that enough for MLB bettors to consider a wager? Probably. Seattle should be favored by big odds. If Gaviglio and the Blue Jays get on the same page, the payout will be huge.

MLB AL Betting Pick: Toronto Blue Jays

Previous Betting News

Saturday’s Top AL Picks has Minnesota heading to Boston and Seattle battling the Angels in Anaheim. Then, on Sunday, July 29, the Texas Rangers take their game to Houston to throw down with the Astros while the Oakland A’s fight against Colorado in an intriguing interleague matchup.

Check out this weekend’s top MLB AL betting picks!

MLB AL Betting Picks for July 28 and July 29

Saturday, July 28

Minnesota Twins at Boston Red Sox

Minnesota starter Jake Odorizzi hasn’t had success versus Boston batters. The Red Sox hit .268. they’ve got 53 hits from 198 at-bats against Odorizzi. 7 of those 53 hits were home runs.

Odorizzi could pitch lights out and the Red Sox are still the play to win this game on Saturday. The reason is because Boston has one of the best bullpens in baseball. Minnesota’s bullpen isn’t very good.

At least a 3 run Boston victory sure seems like a great possibility.

MLB AL Betting Pick: Boston Red Sox

Seattle Mariners at L.A. Angels

Seattle Saturday starter Felix Hernandez knows the Angels well. He’s faced Angel batters 349 times. The Halos have a .246 batting average versus King Felix. They’ve got only 15 home runs from those 349 at-bats.

But, this season, Felix hasn’t been his usual self. He’s got a decent 8 and 8 record. That’s because Seattle is one of the best teams in MLB. Felix’s ERA is 5.14. He also hasn’t pitched past the 5^th inning in his last couple of starts.

The Angels win.

MLB AL Betting Pick: L.A. Angels

Sunday, July 29

Texas Rangers at Houston Astros

Texas starter Mike Minor should have his hands full with Houston’s powerful batting line-up. Minor’s got a 4.83 ERA. That’s no ridiculously bad. It’s not great, either. Worse? The Rangers are 0 and 4 the last 4 times Minor’s started.

One of the losses was versus Houston on July 4. Minor pitched 6 innings. He gave up 3 earned runs off 7 hits.

The Rangers figure to be huge dogs. They’ll have a shot on Sunday, though, because Houston starter Lance McCullers Jr. has allowed 11 earned runs off 10 hits in his last 8.1 innings pitched.

The Rangers are the upset play.

MLB AL Betting Pick: Texas Rangers

Oakland A’s at Colorado Rockies

As of July 26, the A’s are a terrific 61 and 43 on the season. Oakland send Frankie Montas to the mound to face the Rockies on July 29. Montas has been a big part of Oakland’s ascension this season.

His ERA is a decent 3.54. The A’s are a great 7 and 2 straight up in Montas’ last 9 starts. He won’t shutout Colorado on Sunday. He should have more success versus Rockies batters than Colorado starter German Marquez has versus Oakland batters, though.

MLB AL Betting Pick: Oakland A’s