At the end of a second straight 97-65 season, the Oakland Athletics head into the AL Wild Card Game. Regardless of their postseason success, 2019 has been exciting once again.
When you exceed your Vegas over/under win total by 13.5 games, something had to go right with your team that season and a bounty of things certainly went right for the Oakland Athletics this year.
Not surprisingly, Matt Olson and Matt Chapman each continued their assault on baseballs and on hard-hit ground balls, as both are in line for another Gold Glove. Ramon Laureano improved even more and brought fire and desire to this team. Mike Fiers allowed two runs in six innings in his sleep for from May until August, playing up to his big contract. Stephen Piscotty, Josh Phegley and Robbie Grossman were good when they were in the starting lineup and Yusmeiro Petit was a stud, as per usual.
But there was more than a few surprises – both as unlikely stars and as disappointments – that highlighted the A’s season.