First Division Champ of 2020

The Oakland A's claimed a first for the 2020 season on Monday: they're the first team to clinch a division title. Although the Dodgers have the best record in the majors, and the Rays the top mark in the AL -- and both are headed to the post-season -- they're both pursued by second place teams with strong records. So, the Athletics, with a bigger, and now insurmountable cushion over the Astros, are assured of finishing first in the AL West for the first time since 2013.

Long known for executive Billy Beane's Moneyball principles, these A's did it their way. This is no Lumber Company or Murderer's Row. And you would never call them disciples of Whitey Herzog and his 1980s Cardinals. The 2020 A's are all about on-base percentage and home runs -- and few players you'd consider "stars" -- though the slugging 1st baseman Matt Olson (above) is certainly a big time talent.

Hitting just .226 as a team; no Oakland regular is batting even .250. But their OPB (.323) is almost 100 points higher than their batting average. But their pitching staff is strong and deep -- Mike Fiers, Chris Bassitt and impressive rookie Jesus Lozardo lead the rotation, while closer Liam Hendricks, maybe the best Australian player in the majors -- has an ERA of 1,23. The pieces fit together well -- Oakland's 33-20 record is only two games behind Tampa Bay.

While we know we'll see the A's at home next week hosting a Wild Card series, tonight offers what might be a World Series preview as they visit the Dodgers in the first of a three-game interleague series. Moneyball versus Big Money. Stay tuned!

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