The Oakland Athletics have a lot to celebrate after ending a six-season dry spell and clinching the American League West title!
Although they didn’t actually play on Monday, after the second-place Houston Astros lost at home 6-1 to the Seattle Mariners, the A’s were mathematically ensured the division crown. This loss dropped Houston to the .500 mark and 6.5 games behind Oakland.
The Astros were the 2017 World Series champions and they won the division in each of the past three seasons. They were also a favorite at the beginning of the season, but the Athletics dethroned them from the top of the division, surprising many in the process.
Oakland has posted a 3.64 ERA this season, which makes them baseball’s best bullpen by ERA. They happen to have one of baseball’s best pitching staffs and they’re a real threat to the other teams who move forward in the playoffs.
The A’s will be the league’s 2nd or 3rd seeds and the playoffs are set to start next week.
