The implications may actually be greater for their wild card chances than their odds of taking the A.L. The Angels and Rangers got better, to state the obvious, but their acquisitions won’t make them playoff contenders on their own. West crown, the A’s should be strong wild card contenders, but that’s where the strengthening division below them could come into play. Even if the Rangers and Angels can’t ascend to overtake Oakland, the A’s will face better ballclubs in their division games, and it’s likely the additions of their division rivals could cost the A’s a win or three. In a tight race, that could be the difference between a third shot at the Wild Card or watching two other teams face off in the one-game playoff.

Source: Forbes December 17, 2019 00:46 UTC