LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 08: Ramon Laureano #22 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates a three run home run against the Houston Astros with teammate Matt Olson #28 during the second inning in Game Four of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 08, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Oakland A’s may be the defending AL West champions, but it certainly does not feel that way. The baseball universe seems to have written them off, as most places project them to finish behind the Astros and Angels.