Oakland Athletics: The Impressive Power Surge Continues
By Joey Lopez
An excellent showing of power helped the A’s sweep the Texas Rangers over the weekend. Khris Davis and Chad Pinder had multi-homer games over the weekend and the A’s launched six home runs overall.
The Oakland Athletics may not be in the running for a playoff spot, but they sure looked like a contender this weekend against the visiting Rangers. The A’s outscored the Rangers 19-7 during their three-game set at the Coliseum.
Bob Melvin watched his team succeed this weekend thanks to an outstanding display of power. Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, Chad Pinder and Khris Davis recorded a home run during the series this weekend.
In fact, Pinder and Davis each recorded two home runs against the Rangers. Davis launched two home runs on Friday night and Pinder collected two on Saturday. On Sunday, it was Olson and Chapman that hit one of out the park.
The A’s offense has been hit or miss this year, but Melvin should be happy with how his team performed this weekend. The A’s rank 6th in the American League with 180 team home runs. They were last in the AL with 169 just a year ago.
Oakland Athletics
The boost in power is thanks to a handful of players including the following:
KHRIS DAVIS
Davis is slashing just .210/.293/.580 in August, but has collected 8 home runs in the process. The A’s know Davis will have his share of struggles at the plate, but they should also be happy with his display of power.
Entering Monday, Davis is behind only Aaron Judge for most home runs in the AL. Judge has 37 on the year. With one more month to go, Davis should eclipse last year’s total of 42 home runs. Overall, Davis is slashing .235/.323/.522 with 36 HR and 90 RBI.
RYON HEALY
Healy impressed a few people last season in limited action. This year, Healy has looked like a rising young star for the A’s. He has collected 23 home runs and is slashing .264/.296/.464 on the year.
Healy has been successful lately and is hitting .284 in August. Over his last 13 starts, Healy is 18-for-51. The A’s have a strong young core developing and Healy is part of it.
MATT JOYCE
Joyce was once figured to be on the way out of Oakland following his slow start. The A’s unloaded several veterans due to slow starts including fan favorite Stephen Vogt. Despite his disappointing start, however, the A’s gave Joyce a chance to turn things around.
He has done just that and now has 19 home runs on the year. Joyce has collected six home runs this month and is continuing his second-half surge. His two-year deal suddenly does not look as bad as it did earlier in the year.
JED LOWRIE
Lowrie has had a nice year for the A’s. Despite the team’s struggles this year, Lowrie has remained consistent at the plate and on the field. In fact, Lowrie will enter Monday leading the A’s in average, on-base percentage and hits. He even has a higher OWAR (2.9) than Davis (2.8) does.
The A’s will likely pick up Lowrie’s team option for next season. He has performed well throughout the year and has managed to stay healthy after an injury plagued 2016 season. Lowrie has collected 12 home runs and 40 doubles this year.
PINDER, OLSON AND CHAPMAN
The A’s have a nice core of young players starting form. With Healy, Olson and Chapman the A’s have three nice options for their infield. Ponder, meanwhile, is Oakland’s version of Ben Zobrist. Not only has Pinder provided stability in the infield, but he has also shined in the outfield.
Pinder has collected 12 home runs while Olson (9) and Chapman (10) have provided the A’s with plenty of power as well. The trio of Pinder, Olson and Chapman has been especially fun to watch this month as it gives a small glimpse into what lies ahead for the A’s