Four Factors For A’s Success

The A’s had a rough stretch over the past ten to fifteen days but if how the season has gone so far is any indication the next couple days should be bright. Last season’s AL West champions are looking to repeat as champions and make another October run. To do this there are four factors that will need to be met. Here are the four important factors including one that is already being met. They will need to build on these as the Green and Gold look to close the first month of baseball off with a bang.

April 29, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics first baseman

(37) is congratulated after hitting a walk-off two-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the 19th inning at O.co Coliseum. The Athletics defeated the Angels 10-8 in the 19th inning. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

1.The first major factor is the A’s need to win as many series as possible. So far they are 3-4-1 in their series pending the outcome of the current one with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. This number will need to be flipped if the A’s expect to be contenders come September and October.

2. The second is to beat division opponents. If you have followed the A’s at all this season then you know they are doing an excellent job of this. They split with Seattle, swept Houston twice, and have swept the Angels once while already stealing a game from them in their current series. This to me is the most important factor for the A’s this season. The A’s play the Astros thirteen more times and while is unrealistic to expect them to win all of those games they should not lost more than three games in those thirteen. Division opponents account for forty sever percent of the regular season schedule thus making it vital to win each and every series.

3. The third is to play over .500 on the road. The A’s did an excellent job of this last season finishing seven games over .500 on the road at the end. They will need to replicate or even improve on that success if they want to beat out teams such as the Texas Rangers.

4. The last factor is fairly simple. Beat the bad hold your own against the good. If the A’s can split their series wins against teams over .500 and win nearly all of their series against below .500 teams coupled with beating division opponents should ensure the Green and Gold see October baseball yet again.

The A’s have been struggling lately but with a walk off win Sunday and another walk off win in the 19th this morning the A’s seemed to have turned the page from their losing ways. They will need to continue this or else it could be a long summer.