Khris Davis hits 38th HR, ties MLB lead

OAKLAND -- Khris Davis sure likes the thought of a 50-homer season. But the A's slugger would rather let his mind drift elsewhere.
"Most importantly, I'm thinking about getting to the playoffs right now," Davis said.
The A's are well on their way, in large part to Davis. He moved into a tie for the Major League lead in home runs in Tuesday night's 6-0 win over the Rangers, belting a two-run, opposite-field homer, his 38th of the season.
Davis is tied with Boston's J.D. Martinez.

"I'm just glad I show up. I've just got to continue working hard and helping this team win ballgames," Davis said. "That's probably my main focus, is just getting to the playoffs."
The Coliseum covered Davis in chants of "MVP!" following his latest long ball, which marked his 17th in 27 games and his ninth against the Rangers this season. Davis, who also notched an RBI single, pushed his RBI total to 102, second most in the Majors.

Davis has eclipsed the 100-RBI plateau in each of his three seasons in Oakland and is quickly nearing the 40-homer mark for a third time as well. Getting to 50 would require 12 home runs in his final 36 games.
"Yeah, it's been on my mind for a little while," Davis acknowledged.
"He's a joke," A's starter Brett Anderson said. "He hits balls that left-handed pull hitters don't hit to right field. The ball comes off his bat different than pretty much everyone I've ever seen. He should definitely be in the [MVP] equation, because it's fun to watch him on a daily basis."

Though a long shot to emerge as the American League Most Valuable Player Award favorite, Davis will surely draw his share of votes, which is reason enough to bring him into the conversation.
"I'm hearing some talk on some of the broadcasts, national broadcasts, his name's not even brought up," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "It's ridiculous that he's not part of the conversation."