Oakland, 40:1 (Sportsbook)

7:1 to win the AL West (VIP)

Current Record: 49-42
PECOTA Playoff Odds: 39.6%
Tampa Bay, 9:1 (BetUS)
Current Record: 55-35
PECOTA: 91.7%

I do not think Billy Beane had this blog in mind when making the Rich Harden trade. I'm not sure what I ever did to him; I've read his book at least twice.

After a shocking double by Willie Bloomquist broke the streak and extended Seattle's lead to 2-0, Oakland staged a rousing comeback to win 3-2 in 11. They have a huge series with the Angles this weekend; if they sweep, there's certainly value in their division line, a probably even if they take two of three.

The Rays have hit a bit of a rough stretch, losing three in a row after their seven-game win streak. They actually have a pretty easy schedule coming up; they don't play the Red Sox, Yankees, White Sox, or Angels until LA comes into town on August 18.

Also, Evan Longoria is an All-Star. But yeah, clearly they were insane to give a big contract to a guy who had only played a few major league games. What a stupid move that was.

NY Mets, 20:1 (Sportsbook)
Current Record: 47-44
PECOTA: 56.7%

The Mets won their sixth in a row today, moving to four games above .500. Things were looking pretty bleak after they lost to Philadelphia last Friday, but they ended up taking three of four in that series, and ten sweeping the Giants. They have Colorado at home before the break, then go to Cincinnati before hosting the Phillies. Only 1.5 games out at the moment, the Mets could very realistically be in first place after that next series against Philadelphia.