Capitalized

 

I dunno, I think it's kinda ironic that the Mets, this past weekend, got clobbered at CitiField by a guy named Shea.

Here's how variable the AL West has been recently. Since their New York trip, the A's are suddenly in 1st place, after starting the season 3-6. They were 1-5 before they got to Houston, and then they took two from the Astros, which isn't especially difficult this year, then two from the Yankees and then a full sweep of the Mets. And now they're leading the division. Interesting to note that I don't think anything's drastically different between stretches. I just think they've woken up, and are finally playing to potential after a rough opening week. 

It's funny, I was looking through my current hitters binder today, cause I try to collect a handful of current guys, and for the first time since everybody left after the 2021 season, the A's have a really well stocked lineup. And this is even with Rooker hurt. Kurtz, Butler, Soderstrom, Wilson, Langeliers and Muncy represent years of development all paying off at once. If the most notable 'hired hand' guy is Jeff McNeil, who actually isn't doing too badly and sprung to life against his former team, then they're doing something right.

The secret weapon of this A's team that everyone underestimates is Shea Langeliers, who's once again off to a crazy power-hitting start with 5 homers and 10 RBIs. I think it's just tough, in a division with Cal Raleigh in it, to be a notable power hitting catcher. Langeliers has it tough, Yanier Diaz, Kyle Higashioka...it's just tricky. But Langeliers, while he may lack the name brand recognition, is still a crucial part of this lineup, and he's not bad defensively either. Kurtz and Wilson are probably the more impressive all-around players, but having a catcher that belts is always a good thing. Better than having to start Austin Hedges 4 out of 5 games. 

You're seeing the A's begin to form that sort of fun depth that every great team needs. Carlos Cortes is the hungry bench bat with killer perks. Denzel Clarke's the web gem guy, in the grand tradition of Ramon Laureano and Billy Burns. Hogan Harris is the resident long relief specialist now. Jack Perkins also hosts Biography on the side, it's a whole thing. And while this team is still in desperate need of homegrown starting pitching, having comeback seasons from both Aaron Civale, which is surprising and welcome, and Jeffrey Springs, which...annoys me, is definitely helpful. Jacob Lopez is that guy filling the void, and I don't know if he's enough right now. He's also 28. 

I think the reason why everything looks so much sunnier and optimistic for this A's team is that, even keeping in mind the temporary nature of it, the A's are finally wearing 'Sacramento' on their chests and playing as the Sacramento Athletics, even if the MLB isn't word-for-word granting them that. But hey, it says so on the jerseys. Sacramento A's. No use hiding it. 

But yeah, if the A's do intend to take off and make a run, I'm 100% behind them. I think this team can outhit a lot of people, and so far they've really done so. Maybe the world is ready for the A's to be good again. I know I certainly am.

Coming Tomorrow- He made his debut over TEN YEARS AGO. TEN. Making me feel ancient. And he's still in the exact same city, playing the exact same big game situations.