It would be difficult to find a more interesting franchise in Major League Baseball than the Oakland Athletics. That is because the A’s are usually a tremendous board value or a major money loser. Rarely is it anything in between. Lately Oakland has been a favorite team amongst sharps. That is because the A’s have been an under the radar playoff team that has produced some of the biggest profits on the MLB board for the past two seasons. But now the worm has turned. The spotlight is on Oakland to contend for the American League West division title. That, plus their consecutive playoff campaigns has some gamblers jittery about wagering value for the 2020 season. Let’s examine.
We’ll have MLB Odds at Bookmaker.eu available for every game of the 2020 MLB season.
2020 Oakland Athletics Win Total Odds at Bookmaker.eu: 89.5, -145 over, +110 under
Despite winning 97 games in each of the past two seasons the Athletics have opened with a lower win total of 89.5 for 2020. Part of that is based on the expected improvement of both the Los Angeles Angels, with new manager Joe Maddon, and the Texas Rangers, who most believe have bottomed out as they head into a new era in a new stadium. And while the Houston Astros have dominated the headlines for all of the wrong reasons, the fact remains that they still have the best roster in the division. Thus, Oakland faces a 2020 campaign in which a disproportionate amount of their games will be scheduled against quality opposition.
Oakland A’s Management
Of course, executive vice president Billy Beane and his “Moneyball” approach was turned into a Brad Pitt movie in 2011. And with plenty of good reason as no franchise consistently does more with less than the A’s. Current general manager David Frost helps maintain that tradition and is in his fifth season in that role. Manager Bob Melvin has led Oakland to the playoffs five times and is a three-time Manager of the Year.
On the Hill
Oakland features an outstanding pitching staff that ranked sixth for earned run average and quality starts while ranking seventh for bullpen in 2019.
Right hander Mike Fiers is the projected number one starter and is coming off a career season. Fiers was 15-4 with a 3.90 earned run average and 1.19 WHIP in 2019.
Closer Liam Henricks posted 25 saves with a record of 4-4 and 1.80 earned run average last season. He struck out 124 batters in 85 innings of work.
At the Plate
Projected leadoff man and shortstop Marcus Semien scored 123 runs with 33 home runs and 92 runs batted in last year.
First baseman Matt Olsen is also coming off a career season in which he produced 73 runs, 26 doubles, 36 home runs, 91 runs batted in, a .267 average, .545 slugging percentage, and .896 OPS.
Third baseman Matt Chapman was a 2019 American League All-Star while winning his second consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove. Chapman compiled 102 runs, 36 doubles, 36 home runs, 91 runs batted in, a .249 average, .506 slugging percentage, and .848 OPS.
2020 Oakland Athletics Season Win Total MLB Betting Odds Pick
Once again, the A’s will begin the season with one of the lowest ranked payrolls at 24th in Major League Baseball. Yet that has not mattered the past two years and does not figure to be much of a factor to worry about in 2020. What does merit concern is a tough division that looks deeper than it was last season. Additionally, the A’s are catching too much public attention that will drive down their betting value. Oakland is a solid team but may take a bit of a dip for 2020.
MLB Betting Odds Prediction: Oakland A’s under the total of 89.5 wins in 2020
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