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Slow starts are nothing new for Oakland A’s

By David Hill

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Jesus Luzardo #44 of the Oakland Athletics tips his hat as he leaves the game during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros in Game Three of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 07, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 07: Jesus Luzardo #44 of the Oakland Athletics tips his hat as he leaves the game during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros in Game Three of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 07, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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This is not the type of start that the Oakland A’s or their fans had hoped for. Not only have they lost the first three games of the season, but they have lost those games to the hated Astros. The A’s have allowed 26 runs while scoring only seven, as seemingly nothing in firing correctly to begin the season.

While it is disenheartening, it is also not the end of the world. There are still 159 games left in the season, and let’s face it – the A’s were not going to go 162-0 in even the wildest of dreams. There is plenty of time for Oakland to right the ship.

Oakland A’s in familiar territory

This slow start is not exactly unfamiliar territory for the A’s. While they managed to avoid their typical early season malaise last season, that can be considered a bit of an anomaly due to the shortened year. And the A’s still struggled a bit in the early going, with a 3-4 record before they got going.

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A prime example of the A’s typical struggles early in the season would be the 2018 campaign. The A’s began the year with a 5-10 record, and were two games under .500 (34-36) after 70 games. However, they turned the corner and went on a run for the rest of the year, finishing with a 97-65 record.

The schedule does not get much easier. Once this series comes to an end, the A’s have to face the defending World Series champion Dodgers, and then get another series against Houston. This slow start could easily continue into the second weekend of the season, making it appear as though the sky is falling.

But that is not the case. It is simply a matter of perspective; three consecutive losses in the middle of June, or a hypothetical 3-7 stretch in August, would not be a cause for alarm. However, seeing a zero under the win column in any standings is enough to cause some level of concern.

Next. Three bold predictions for 2021. dark

The Oakland A’s have been here before, starting slowly before coming alive later in the season. There is no reason to think that will not be the case in 2021.