If a Team Out West Makes Noise Does Anyone Hear It?

If a Team Out West Makes Noise Does Anyone Hear It?

 

At this point in the season I shouldn’t have to be breaking news to anyone who follows the game of baseball but just in case I have to, everyone needs to know, the Oakland A’s are good. I’m sorry, scratch that, the Oakland A’s are dominant. Analysts want to concentrate on a division with five mediocre teams all grouped around .500 and call it a competitive race but the A’s just keep wasting away the competition out west.

When looking at this team the first and most important thing that jumps out at you is their run differential. Oakland is +112 in run differential which is staggering enough in itself but when you take into account that number is +61 runs better than the 2^nd place team (San Francisco) it really opens your eyes to just how dominant they have been. When Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin went down most thought it spelled doom for Oakland as they were two of their best pitchers. However, Billy Beane being the genius he is was well prepared. First he signed Scott Kazmir coming off his career rejuvenating year, banking on the fact that Kazmir was in fact back to form and bringing him to a pitcher’s park in Oakland would only help improve those stats. Next, Beane looked into his bullpen and saw Jesse Chavez, a four pitch pitcher who could translate well to the rotation, and translate he has. Chavez has been a revelation as a starter. Having Sonny Gray ready to step in the rotation and pitch phenomenally has also helped. I can’t remember a starter who primarily threw two pitches being the dominant force Gray has been. Thanks to this three headed monster, the team’s biggest weakness turned into its biggest strength. Beane did a phenomenal job filling out the rest of the roster as well making Oakland one of, if not the deepest teams in baseball. Finding the right guys at the right price has always been Mr. Moneyball’s biggest strength and he’s showing he hasn’t lost his touch yet.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention the most valuable player in the American League not named Cabrera or Trout and that man is Josh Donaldson. Donaldson is the heart and soul of the Oakland A’s and the most underrated player in the game.  He had a coming out party last season and is showing that it was no fluke. When you can package a gold glove level defense together with a smart, patient, power hitter you feel like you’ve hit the lottery. Also, there’s no one in the game with a better hairstyle than Donaldson’s hybrid mullethawk.

As the season goes on Oakland is going to continue to prevail on its way to having home field advantage throughout the American League playoffs. Their depth and rotation will be a huge advantage come playoff time as will their loud, ravenous crowd that makes A’s games as must see as their play does. They just have to hope they get some luck on their side and don’t have to see Justin Verlander.