The 2020 MLB season will be much shorter than usual due to the coronavirus pandemic, lasting just 60 games instead of the customary 162. That’s a significant change, especially for a sport that requires large sample sizes to truly separate the best from the worst.
Every team will be affected in some way by the abbreviated nature of this campaign, and they’ll all be playing under the same rules. Still, it stands to reason that some will benefit more or less than others, depending on each unique situation. Where might the Oakland A’s fall on that spectrum? Here are some pros and cons, starting with the bad news.