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Oakland A’s ranked ninth in World Series favorites

By David Hill

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 20: Manager Bob Melvin #6, Matt Chapman #26, Bench Coach Ryan Christenson #29 and Matt Olson #28 of the Oakland Athletics during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at RingCentral Coliseum on August 20, 2020 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Diamondbacks 5-1. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 20: Manager Bob Melvin #6, Matt Chapman #26, Bench Coach Ryan Christenson #29 and Matt Olson #28 of the Oakland Athletics during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at RingCentral Coliseum on August 20, 2020 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Diamondbacks 5-1. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /
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The Oakland A’s have been a difficult team to figure out for preseason prognosticators. They have been ranked third in the AL West, behind the Astros and Angels, yet are a team that most could see reaching the postseason. Perhaps this is due to the nature of the division, as the AL West lacks that one dominant team.

But that does not mean that others are any less bullish on the A’s chances in 2021. In fact, they were ranked ninth by MLB.com in regards to World Series favorites, as they are considered to have an easier path to the postseason.

Oakland A’s path to World Series has potholes

It is entirely possible to consider the A’s as the favorites in the division. The Astros took a major hit with the news that Framber Valdez could be lost for most of the season due to his broken finger which may require surgery. The Angels still avoided fixing their rotation, opting for one year bandage solutions.

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This is not to say that the A’s are without their own issues. Oakland is banking on bounceback seasons from a multitude of players in their lineup. Second base is a major question mark, with four or five players vying for playing time. The rotation is not exactly a paragon of health, and the bullpen has been remade.

A trek to the World Series would also reverse the A’s postseason history. They have won just one playoff series since 2006, the Wild Card round in 2020. Even then, the A’s would not have advanced had that not been a best of three series, as they lost the first game to the White Sox.

But all that any team needs is a chance. We saw that last season when the sub .500 Astros fell one game shy of reaching the World Series. Maybe, if the A’s can reach the postseason once again, it will be their turn to have the cards come up in their favor.

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The Oakland A’s are ranked as the ninth most likely team to reach the World Series. As long as they can reach the playoffs, they have a chance.