Straight A's. (TSNumber 2).

While the Yankees coasted, the Twins stumbled and the Mariners tumbled, the A's did what any good opportunist would do: They took advantage. All of a sudden, this looks like the year of the A's in the American League.

Of course, that could be said of any team that runs off the longest winning streak in the majors in 49 years and goes 24-4 in August. In winning 18 straight games (through Sunday), the A's piled up the most runs in the majors in August and, thanks to a 2.17 ERA, more than doubled their opponents' run production--161-72.

Cory Lidle was the club's best pitcher during the month, going 5-0 and reeling off 43 consecutive scoreless innings. His ERA for the month: 0.20. Closer Billy Koch was 11-for-11 in save opportunities during the month, allowing one earned run in 18 innings.

Miguel Tejada, who had been carrying the offense since May, finally got some help. Eric Chavez and Jermaine Dye combined for 54 RBIs during the month which, when combined with Tejada's 25, accounted for seven more runs than the Ks gave up. Two in-season acquisitions, Ray Durham and John Mabry, also played key roles.

Before handing the pennant to the A's, however, the competition during their winning streak should be considered. Until they swept the first-place Twins last weekend, the A's had not beaten a winning team during their streak.

It won't take long to see how they hold up against the best in ...