Inside the Oakland Athletics Major Jump from 2023 to 2024
Through all the ups and downs of this whirlwind of a season for the Oakland Athletics, they are still continuing to perform at a fantastic level in the first 35 games of the season. The Athletics currently sit at 17-18, holding third place in the highly competitive AL West. During the first 35 games of their 2023 campaign, they were sitting at 8-27. What has been the catalyst for this great representation compared to last year? Many variables come into play when depicting what can be the spark, and to start it can be the fierceness of the pitching staff. Oakland finished last year with a mediocre rotation, as well as a depleted bullpen that saw many games get out of hand quickly after the starter’s pitch count would escalate. Compared to their 50-112 season last year, a game under .500 heading into a divisional four-game series against the Texas Rangers has their hopes high, and eyes set on a potential playoff appearance in their last season in Oakland.
As well as JP Sears has been pitching for the organization, the real shining spot has been reliever Mason Miller. The 6 '5 right-hander out of Gardener-Webb has been nothing short of spectacular for manager Mark Kostay. With the Athletics holding many leads into the ninth inning, Miller comes in and shuts the door on some great teams so far in the year. While holding eight saves, an ERA of 1.26, and a WHIP of .77, Miller is on pace to be an All-Star this year if things can keep up. The men who are involved in his great closes are the starting rotation of Ross Stripling, Paul Blackburn, Sears, and the likes of Mitch Spence. The bright spot would be the run control in contrast to last year. In the limited walks, the traffic on the bases has diminished as compared to the previous year. As a team sitting at the 13th-best ERA in the MLB, that is a massive improvement from past seasons. With a long way to go, a healthy rotation and Miller’s production in the late innings can propel this ball club to new heights.
On the other side, the bats have been on fire as of late for the Athletics. In their previous three games against the Miami Marlins, Oakland brought in 26 runs in the series, including a 20-4 thrashing of the Marlins, who are struggling as one of the worst teams in the league. While the team having 44 home runs sits at third in the majors, many of their mid-inning sparks are coming from the sluggers. Bright spots in the lineup can be seen in many ways, but with the help of Shea Langeliers cranking seven home runs, and Brent Rooker adding on 20 RBIs, the bats are out and alive in Oakland. Of course, JJ Bleday and Abraham Toro helped the cause with their .246 and .267 batting average leading the squad. Kostay has to be happy with the production he is receiving on both sides of the game, with the team really banding together.
From a spectator’s view, the aurora is different at the Oakland Coliseum this year than it has been in the last decade. With all of the arising question marks coming from the front office on how they will be moving to Sacramento before the Las Vegas move, the benching of Brent Rooker, the Triple-A option for now injured Esteury Ruiz, the team has been interesting with curiosity looming around the organization. While being 8-2 in their last 10, and one of the hottest teams in the league other than the Minnesota Twins, Oakland has some serious potential to make noise during the summer, creep over .500, and possibly take a wildcard spot in the highly talented American League. My opinion? The Athletics finally feel the pressure of producing a memorable season in their last rodeo in Oakland. Manager Mark Kostay has this team playing inspired ball, with a positive mindset on the outlook of the season. I would not be shocked if we saw this team playing some great baseball towards the tail end of the year, a competitive squad with the proper pieces around the diamond and in the pen. As always, this is baseball where the impossible can become the possible.
