The Athletics are dominating the AL West. With 61 victories, they are cruising ahead of the competition. The Rangers are already 22 games behind in the standings!
What is remarkable is that the A's runs differential is an outlandish +150. This is more than double the next highest team.
Baseball is a simple game with one simple rule: score more runs and you win the game.
Oakland is the master of that rule.
The A's starting pitching staff has been outstanding in ERA. The bullpen has been solid with closer Sean Doolittle.
And the A's can manufacture runs and put up crooked numbers, even though they play in a pitcher friendly ball park.
But can the A's success turn into post-season victories?
One study concluded that the most important factors in the post season are:
a) power arms in the starting rotation;
b) plus defensive fielding.
Great power arms can shut down great hitters.
A good defensive team can save a run a game.
In short series which usually are fairly even in talent, the better pitching staff and defensive team will usually win close contests.
The funny thing is that the team with the most regular season wins does not equate to World Series championships. More and more wild card teams are getting to the Series. Whether it is part underdog status or the ability to win "one and done" games, wild card teams position themselves with at least a mental advantage.
The A's traded into the team's strength when they picked up Samardzija and Hammel from the Cubs. It would appear that Oakland wants to make a deeper run in the playoffs.
