Beane: The A's are in the conversation
https://www.mlb.com/athletics/news/b...ess-in-al-west
The A's are really hot right now. They have moved from about 12 games back of Houston in the West to 4 games back. They are currently 14 games over .500 and seem to be on a tear, even with slugger Khris Davis in a slump. CF Ramon Laureano is blossoming into a star, both offensively (19 HRs) and defensively (home run robbery today, scary arm); best corner infielders in the league, Chapman and Olson, Semien playing SS at an all-star level and pitching seeming to come around, though still up for debate. They own the second wild card for the moment and are half a game from the first.
If they keep winning at this rate, they'll take the league. However, they are now heading into a difficult road trip with series at the Central-leading Twins and at Houston. Tough sledding. Long season.