Oakland Athletics: mlb FUTURES & BETTING ODDS

OAKLAND ATHLETICS 2021 OUTLOOK

After earning wild card berths in 2018 and '19, the Athletics broke through to win the American League West over the Astros in 2020. The A's won a playoff series for the first time since 2006 too, defeating the Chicago White Sox in the special first-round playoff series that took place in 2020. The Astros had the last laugh over their division rivals, however, as Houston beat Oakland 3-1 in an American League Championship Series. 

The A's made the playoffs each year from 2012-14, then finished in last from 2015-17 and back to the playoffs for 2018-20. And while the players change often in Oakland, they do have consistency on the bench, as manager Bob Melvin is entering his 10th season, making him the longest-tenured manager in the majors. 

2021 Featured Players

Matt Olson returns as the slugging first baseman who had 14 homers in last year's short season and is always a threat to hit at least 30 despite the spacious dimensions of the Coliseum. Matt Chapman at third is also a proven power hitter. Ramon Laureano and Khris Davis had down years in 2020, but you don't know if that was just due to the unique nature of that season. Mark Canha, Chad Pinder, and Tony Kemp are all great hitters who can get on base. 

Veteran pitcher Mike Fiers and closer Liam Hendricks are gone, but Oakland is hopeful that their youthful arms can keep the wheels turning. Jesus Luzardo and Sean Manaea are solid options at the top of the rotation, and Luzardo is a strikeout-an-inning pitcher. Frankie Montas and Chris Bassitt are names you may not be familiar with, but they will likely be 10-game winners again for the A's. 

Bet on the Oakland Athletics! Oakland Athletics Odds for 2021

For a team that's made the playoffs three-straight years, the Oakland Athletics odds for winning the World Series are not great, sitting at 25/1. There's some good value there if you believe the A's will again be strong this year. As far as the American League goes, a bet on the Oakland Athletics to win the AL pennant will get you 12/1 odds, and they A's are neck and neck with Houston as co-AL West division favorites, as the Oakland Athletics odds to repeat in the West sits at +150.

Oakland Athletics Logo, Uniform & Stadium History

Incredibly, despite having one of baseball's smallest payrolls each year, executive Billy Beane has been able to consistently keep Oakland a contender. The A's have made the playoffs 11 times since the year 2000 season, but they have only won two series in that span and have failed to reach the World Series since they made the Fall Classic three years in a row from 1988-90. 

The A's barged on the national scene in the 1970s when they won three-straight titles from 1972-74 with Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers, Vita Blue, Catfish Hunter and manager Dick Williams. Their resurgence in late 1980s came with manager Tony La Russa managing the "Bash Brothers"—Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire. That team also had one of the best leadoff hitters in history in Rickey Henderson along with ace pitcher Dave Stewart and Hall of Fame closer Dennis Eckersley. 

A decade later, the team was back in the playoffs thanks to three star pitchers—Mark Mulder, Tim Hudson, and Barry Zito—along with sluggers Jason Giambi and Eric Chavez. The team has had a number of players come in and out of the organization in the successful seasons of more recent years.

The A's have called the Oakland Coliseum home since 1968, but it looks a bit different in the outfield after a renovation in the mid-1990s was conducted for the return of the NFL's Oakland Raiders. The Raiders left for Las Vegas prior to the 2019 NFL season, leaving the A's as the only tenant of the old stadium. There have been constant talks over the past 25 years about the A's getting a new stadium, but it hasn't happened yet. 

The A's caps are dark green with a gold brim and a white A's on the front. The home uniforms are white with "Athletics" written in green with yellow outline across the front. The road grays have "Oakland" written on the front of the jersey. Alternate uniforms include yellow tops with the "A's" logo on the side, which is what the team wore in the 1970s, along with dark green and Kelly green alternate tops. 

2020 Record: 36-24, First Place in American League West