'We're better than what we've shown': 3 takeaways after A's 1st week

OAKLAND -- This is not how the season was supposed to start for the A’s.

Coming off two consecutive 100-loss campaigns, the A’s left Arizona after an encouraging Spring Training, expecting things to be different in 2024. Yes, the rebuilding process is still ongoing. However, this is the year they should take a big step forward.

The sample size remains incredibly small. But seven games in, it’s difficult to shake that here-we-go-again feeling after falling to the Red Sox, 1-0, on Wednesday at the Coliseum.

Having dropped six of seven games to the Guardians and Red Sox in their first homestand, the A’s have begun a season with a record of 1-6 for just the third time in Oakland history

“We had a really good spring,” said A’s starter Ross Stripling (7 IP, 3 K's, 1 ER). “When we broke camp, we were feeling good about where we were. It just feels like we’re playing a little tight.”

Following a fundamentally flawed first five games in which the A’s committed a Major League-leading 13 errors, they can find solace in getting through back-to-back games without a miscue. Sound defense helped the A’s stay close on Wednesday in a game that ended with the tying and winning runs on base in the ninth before Ryan Noda struck out against Kenley Jansen to end it.

“We know those first five games weren’t clean,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “These last two games were clean. They were competitive. We had a chance to win both games. That’s the type of baseball I was expecting us to play.”

With the A’s heading into an off-day before their first road trip on Friday, here are a few takeaways from their season-opening seven-game homestand:

Starting pitching is key

A large part of why the A’s think this season can be much-improved stems from their belief that the rotation will be much more stabilized after adding veterans Alex Wood and Stripling. In these first seven games only twice did an A’s starter go past five innings.

It starts with Wood and Stripling, who showed marked improvements over the past two days from their season debuts last week.

“Strip was great,” Kotsay said. “He pounded the zone. Biggest difference this outing from his first was he actually crowded some guys with the sinker, which was a good sign. He’s a guy that’s got to keep hitters off balance, and he did a great job today. A lot of contact outs, and we played good defense behind him.”

Offense is lacking

Oakland’s stretch of seven consecutive games with four runs or fewer scored is the club’s longest season-opening streak since 1978.

The middle of the order's lack of production stands out. Zack Gelof, Seth Brown and Brent Rooker -- all expected to be difference-makers in the lineup -- have gone a combined 8-for-69 with just two extra-base hits so far.

Gelof’s slow start (4-for-27) is particularly glaring when you consider the high expectations he garnered after his breakout rookie campaign last year.

“Those first few games, he was chasing sliders out of the zone,” Kotsay said of Gelof. “We’ve seen a better approach over these last two games, which has led to a couple of hits. Those are the three guys in our offense that we need to produce. Thus, I think that’s [a reason] for the lack of run production right now.”

Where is the joy?

The energetic display by this young A’s team, which was evident throughout spring, was missing this homestand. Of course, it could be challenging to have fun when your team loses six of seven with an AL-worst run differential of minus 29. Perhaps the respite of Thursday’s off-day can help ease up the tension heading into a six-game road trip against the Tigers and Rangers.

“If we can get a couple of wins under our belt, maybe we can let loose on an individual level,” Stripling said. “A lot of guys are probably getting off to starts they were hoping would be a little better, so things start to tighten up and you put pressure on yourself. … I think we just need to get back to the basics. Fielding it and throwing it. Throwing strikes. Today, we were in the game until the very end. The talent is here. If we can just start having a little more success, I think things will snowball in a good way. … We’re better than what we’ve shown so far, and I think everyone knows that.”