5 Reasons to Not Give Up on the Oakland Athletics

While there may be many more reasons to kiss this Oakland Athletics season goodbye, I for one, am just not ready yet. Trade rumors are already swirling so chances are some of the best things about this team may be gone come August 1st, but here they are for now:

1. Sonny Gray at the Helm for Starters

The Oakland Athletics have an unquestionable ace on their hands in Sonny Gray. He’s started the 2015 campaign with a 4-1 record, his only loss coming in a game where he gave up a lone run, struck out nine – for his third straight outing, and didn’t walk a batter. His ERA improved to 1.61, good enough for the top spot in the American League in that category and in the top six for almost every other. And he just keeps getting better.

The rest of starting pitching pales in comparison but have weathered the storm of this first quarter season fairly well compiling an average ERA of 3.56, the third best for starters in the AL. Jesse Hahn recovered nicely after a rough first inning against the White Sox on Friday night, Jesse Chavez is getting settled in the rotation and Scott Kazmir has been dependable making for an enviable starting rotation.