What Have We Learned Lately??

In this most fascinating of A's seasons since 1999-- because it is a team still in formation-- I think a lot of things are coming into clearer focus.

1. The damn Angels know how to win. I understand what Pythagoras makes of them-- but we are almost 40% of the way into a season and they are playing basically .600 ball despite having not had their best pitcher for much of the season and with their star having a subpar year. I don't see mediocrity (sorry-- had to do it) here-- but instead a team with a very good chance to win 90 games, and a pretty good chance to win 95-- either of which are probably beyond our squad's grasp;

2. We have two plus members of our rotation, and knock on wood about their availability the rest of the season. The two rookie lefthanders have hit an expected wall (who is our All-Star now? Harden or Duke if they can get enough innings?? Street?? Which seems ludicrous given his velocity issues but why not? I don't see a position player, that's for sure) But the bullpen depth cures many ills-- we have at least 8 perfomers in the bullpen now or on the shelf who can pitch effectively. Street might be the least dependable of them until his groin heals. But with Brown back, and Ziggy, Foulke and Embree; Casilla not too far away, Gaudin waiting for the rotation opening again, and Devine should he return in the not too distant future, you've got a deep and dependable bullpen. They may not always be pretty but they get the job done. Witness yesterday;

3. The young outfielders are all showing something-- either at the plate, in the field or both. Emil Brown won't play much once R Sweeney returns, and that is a good thing;

4. Chavy is back better (or Chavy's back is better) than almost any of us thought he'd be. All of a sudden the middle of the order of him, Cust and the Hurt (though Frank won't get a chance to become a regular again for another three weeks given the interleague play) is pretty imposing.

5. Suzuki, Crosby and Ellis should all be hitting a little better, but none of them are the drags that Kendall or the old Crosby were, and their up the middle defense is impeccable;

6. Daric Barton takes too many pitches;

7. Bob Geren pinchruns way too often;

It is certainly, barring serious injury, a 85 win team. And it could be a bit more with a little bit of luck. The Yankee series may be instructive-- the Bombers are Bombing again and I suspect Tampa is ready for a bit of a fall, meaning that the WC fight could come down to these three teams. Playoffs?? Playoffs?? Maybe;