The Oakland A's have been in the news in recent weeks because speculation has hit a fever pitch about their potential move to Las Vegas. Details are still being worked out, and nothing is imminent, but the move to the desert is gaining steam, and headlines, all over the country. Las Vegas has shown us all with the success of the Golden Knights, and now the Raiders move, that pro sports can work in Sin City. The A's should be very happy that all the headlines and media have been concentrating on what they might do next year because this year's A's team is an ugly watch ... for those who aren't betting against them.
Oakland currently sits at +100000. That means a $100 bet on the A's to win the World Series would win you back a cool $10 mill. But, even that kind of return is foolish. Oakland is headed in the direction of not only being bad, not just being the worst team this season, but they are looking at setting the all time mark for futility. The A's have nearly a -200 run differential, and they have just 5 road wins all season. Not, like they are much better at home with just a handful as well, but this sort of losing has just never been experienced before.
Before 1900 there were a number of teams who won less than 40 games, highlighted by the 1899 Cleveland Spiders team who won just 20 games. That was not in the 162 game season though. The modern mark, in a 160+ game season, for futility would be the 1962 expansion New York Mets who won just 40 games. Take solace tough Amazin' fans because here come the A's. Last week Oakland fell to 10-40, which projected to be a 32-130 record. Since then things have gotten worse. That would be the most losses for any team in a season since the 1899 Cleveland Spiders and also erase the Mets from the top of a record they want no part of.
For a bettor things could not be better. Betting against the A's has been one of the more profitable situations all season long. Yes, you'll pay a hefty price tag nearly every night but betting against a team that loses nearly 80% of their games will always make you money. The A's also offer decent value when you bet on them to lose by 2 runs. That has happened in more than 75% of their losses. Mets fans, the city of Las Vegas and bettors who fade the A's should all be smiling. For everyone else, it might be best to look away from this ugly scene.
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