Published on: May 15, 2026, 12:10h.
Updated on: May 15, 2026, 12:10h.
- Emerging young talent poised to guide the Athletics as they transition to Las Vegas for the 2028 season
- Rapid progress on a $2 billion, 33,000-seat stadium situated off the Las Vegas Strip
- Oakland A’s currently leading in the American League West standings
The vision is becoming clearer in Las Vegas, where the new MLB team is set to launch in 2028, complemented by significant advancements on the $2 billion, 33,000-seat domed stadium along the Strip.
Stadium Construction Progress
The groundwork is established, and structural steel and concrete frameworks are emerging.
This transition isn’t an expansion team scenario; the Oakland A’s are relocating from their current home at a Triple-A stadium in West Sacramento. From June 8-14, the Oakland A’s will celebrate a special homestand at Las Vegas Ballpark, hosting the Milwaukee Brewers for three games followed by three against the Colorado Rockies.
The franchise will retain the “Athletics” moniker. Like the stadium they will soon call home, the A’s feature a foundational roster that looks promising for competitiveness when they settle in Las Vegas in 2028.
Dynamic Young Lineup
Currently, the Oakland A’s sit atop the American League West with a 22-21 record—an outcome few expected, including sportsbook analysts. On March 31, BetMGM had the A’s at +10000 to clinch the World Series; today, they stand at +6000.
While being just above .500 might not sound thrilling, the Athletics’ emergence as potential contenders ranks among this MLB season’s Top 5 surprises.
Despite facing pitching challenges (ranking 21st in MLB team ERA at 4.36), their youthful, power-driven offensive core—Shea Langeliers, Jacob Wilson, Tyler Soderstrom, and Nick Kurtz—offers hope for future success. The A’s are 12th in MLB for home runs (49), fifth in batting average (.252), sixth in slugging percentage (.406), ninth in on-base percentage (.328), and sixth in OPS (.734).
Kurtz’s Rising Stardom
Kurtz is already establishing himself as a star—last season he hit 36 home runs, clinching AL Rookie of the Year honors. This season, he boasts a .275 batting average, 7 home runs, 26 RBIs, and an OPS of .905, placing him 15th in the league. Wilson excels as a contact hitter, while Butler contributes speed and versatility. Langeliers and Soderstrom add valuable power depth.
“Their young core should attract fans in Las Vegas after the move,” asserted Ethan Useloff, Sports Trader at Fanatics Sportsbook. “Making the postseason will bolster their appeal, and the Athletics currently hold +125 odds for playoff qualification.”
Eric Biggio, Head of Baseball at Caesars Sportsbook, remarked, “We’ve seen increased positivity among bettors regarding the A’s, more wagers on their games, and often, bettors are following them closely. Before the season kicked off, Nick Kurtz garnered significant bets for MVP and home run leader; while he’s had a slower start, Shea Langeliers is currently drawing interest in those markets.”
At DraftKings this morning, the Athletics are favored at +160 to reach the playoffs, while Caesars Sportsbook lists them at +158.
2028 Move to Las Vegas
Moreover, a glance at Spotrac reveals that many young players, including Soderstrom, Wilson, and Lawrence Butler, are secured with long-term agreements, whereas Kurtz and Langeliers will be eligible for arbitration in 2028.
Mārtiņš Korulis, Sportsbook Trader at Tonybet, noted a growing interest in the Athletics among Canadian bettors, although they are not yet a leading choice in that market.
Since the MLB season’s onset, the A’s have constituted roughly 6% of all MLB stakes at Tonybet Sportsbook—a substantial proportion for a non-Canadian team, particularly in a landscape where the Blue Jays account for about 13% of MLB betting activities.
“The engagement is more than casual,” Korulis said. “The A’s are attracting interest across various betting markets, including moneyline, run line, and totals, with some early enthusiasm in player props. Although player markets are still modest, this could change as younger talent continues to evolve and integrate into the Las Vegas identity of the club.
Captivating Betting Narrative
“From a trading viewpoint, a youthful, competitive team moving to Las Vegas could generate a more immediate betting impact compared to an expansion team starting from scratch. An expansion team must devote time to building a roster, establishing a fan base, and forming betting behaviors,” commented Korulis. “The Athletics will bring with them an existing MLB legacy, recognizable players, and already established betting markets. If they maintain competitiveness upon their arrival, the Las Vegas allure could position them as an even more appealing betting option nearly immediately.”
“While the A’s do not yet hold major betting significance for us, the indications are promising. If their on-field success continues into the Las Vegas transition, they could transform into one of the most intriguing MLB betting narratives in the coming seasons.”
Caesars Sportsbook currently lists the Oakland Athletics at +5000 odds to secure the World Series. Biggio commented on the uncertainty of whether a solid baseball team’s relocation would create a greater betting influence than an expansion team beginning anew.
“The (NHL’s) Golden Knights captured explosive popularity as an expansion team, achieving early success that propelled their audience appeal in Vegas. This, in turn, led to increased betting activity, particularly in the initial years,” he observed.
“In the end, however, Las Vegas craves to support and bet on a winning team. Should the A’s field an entertaining and solid squad, it stands to reason they will draw interest among bettors, regardless of whether they come as an expansion team or a franchise relocating from another city.”