Can The Oakland Athletics Break The Losing Record In MLB?

The 1989 movie "Major League" explored the idea of a baseball owner intentionally sabotaging her team in the hopes of moving the franchise to another city. At first, the rag-tag roster of underachievers delivered on their promise (or lack thereof) and immediately became cellar dwellers in the standings. Unfortunately for the owner, expertly played by Margaret Whitton, the team caught fire and not only climbed out of the basement but actually made the postseason by the end of the film. Her approach, while unsuccessful, isn't all that far-fetched. When teams underwhelm on the field, attendance plummets and it becomes easier to move established franchises to a new city. Enter the 2023 Oakland Athletics. There have been rumors swirling for years that the Athletics want a new stadium and will move if the city of Oakland cannot help them get one. In recent months, proposals for a move to Las Vegas have picked up steam but a recent legal setback may force them to stick it out in Oakland after all.  Meanwhile, on the diamond, the As have been historically bad. Their 14-50 start to the season is the worst MLB has seen since 1932, and three games worse than the 1962 Mets who hold the 162-game record for losses with 120. Sportsbooks believe that they have a better than 50/50 shot of breaking the Mets' ancient futility record. 

Will The Oakland Athletics Break The MLB Loss Record In 2023

To give a frame of reference for how bad the As are this season, Oakland is third to last in runs scored, second to last in batting average and dead last in run differential. The reason they're last in run differential is that their pitching staff is horrific. The As bring up the rear in MLB in team ERA, WHIP, hits allowed, home runs allowed and their staff's strikeout-to-walk ratio. And their next seven games are coming against a pair of division leaders in Milwaukee and Tampa Bay. Buckle up As fans, it's going to get bumpy.