Oakland A’s impressing in early going

The schedule makers did not do the Oakland A’s any favors. Due to the lockout, the A’s were slated to face the Phillies and Rays in their first two series of the year. As both the Phillies and A’s have their sights set on the postseason, and the A’s are rebuilding, this had the potential to be a difficult stretch of games.

But someone forgot to tell the A’s that. They managed to split those first two series, even with Frankie Montas struggling during his 2022 debut. Nonetheless, the A’s showed a resiliency that was truly impressive.

Oakland A’s showing more than expected

Clearly, no one told the A’s that they were not supposed to compete. The defense has been absolutely impressive, with Sean Murphy, Kevin Smith, Cristian Pache, and Tony Kemp making unbelievable catches. Jed Lowrie is hitting the ball hard, while Murphy may finally be able to live up to his batted ball metrics.

It has not just been the offensive production and defense. Daulton Jefferies gave hope that he could be a key part of the future in his first outing. Even those arms who have struggled have been able to bounce back, showing the mental toughness needed to stay in the game and give the A’s everything they have.

The A’s clearly are not as talented as they had been last year. And they have to know what is being said, how they have no chance to contend with their bringing up the bottom of the AL West the most likely result. Maybe that will still be the case, but no one can accuse the Oakland A’s of not giving everything they have on the diamond. That has made them a much more entertaining team to watch in the early going than expected.

The Oakland A’s managed to split their first six games against difficult opponents. Maybe they are actually better than anyone realized.