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A's-plus performance

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Posted: Wednesday August 11, 1999 02:52 PM

The Oakland Athletics are one of the hottest teams in baseball and are suddenly a contender for the American League wild card spot. Let me tell you why I like the direction this franchise is going.

First, they've developed a powerful offense. They're second to Seattle in home runs in the American League. Matt Stairs, John Jaha and Jason Giambi all have at least 24 homers, and four other A's are in double digits. Plus, Ben Grieve is finally showing signs of shaking his sophomore slump.

Second, they've improved their defense over last year when they led the AL in errors. Shortstop Miguel Tejada has especially impressed me recently with his glove work. His dazzling plays in the field were a big reason he was named the co-American League player of the week last week.

Third, the A's have assembled the best starting staff in the AL West, thanks to the recent additions of Omar Olivares and Kevin Appier. Olivares is 2-0 since coming to Oakland.. and just beat the Yankees. Appier is 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA with the A's.

And finally, the A's have made the Coliseum a dangerous place for other teams to visit. They have the best home record in baseball and already have more home wins than they've had in a season since 1992, when Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco were bashing their way to a division title.

However, the Athletics' toughest tests lie ahead.

In the next two weeks, they go on the road for seven games against Toronto and Boston, their main competitors for the wild card slot. Then they return home for another series against the Blue Jays and two games against Cleveland -- a team they've gone just 1-9 against this season.

I think the A's need to play at least .600 baseball the rest of the year to make the playoffs, and I see them coming up a little short. However, if I had to pick a favorite for next year in the AL West, I'd start in Oakland.

 

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