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Oakland A’s: Getting Khris Davis back on track

By David Hill

OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 20: Khris Davis #2 of the Oakland Athletics bats during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at RingCentral Coliseum on August 20, 2020 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Diamondbacks 5-1. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 20: Khris Davis #2 of the Oakland Athletics bats during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at RingCentral Coliseum on August 20, 2020 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Diamondbacks 5-1. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /
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The Oakland A’s are hoping to get Khris Davis back on track over the final few games of the season but time is running out.

Playing time has been difficult to come by for Khris Davis over recent weeks. His struggles, as well as the A’s having other productive options, have tethered Davis to the bench. He has not exactly forced his way into the lineup either, given his struggles over the course of the season.

This is the second consecutive disappointing year for Davis. Once able to be penned in for a .247 batting average and over 40 homers, he has not been the same player since injuring his hip last year. His power is down, his strikeout rate is increasing, and he just has not been that same productive threat in the lineup.

Those struggles have continued this year. Davis has produced a disappointing .197/.315/.329 batting line, hitting just two homers and four doubles. That is not the type of production the A’s are looking for.

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The problem is getting Davis the playing time to try to turn things around. He started just six games during the month of September, totalling 22 plate appearances. Yet, in that time, Davis has had some signs of progress, with six hits, including two doubles and a homer, while drawing four walks.

With seven games to go, including a doubleheader on Saturday, there will be chances to get Davis into the lineup. But even that is a bit of a difficult proposition with the A’s battling for playoff seeding. Davis may get some action, but he may not be in the lineup more frequently than he has been lately.

In theory, Davis can still make an impact in the postseason. When he is right he can be an impact bat, a dangerous power threat either in the lineup or on the bench. He has displayed some signs of being able to be that player again over the past two weeks, but the A’s are running out of time.

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The Oakland A’s are looking to get Khris Davis some action over the final few games. That may be easier said than done.