FanNation

Another week of the MLB season down, and the A's still sit tied atop the AL West Division with a 12-9 record. A sweep of the KC Royals really is keeping them there for now, as since my last blog they are 4-3 with 3 of those coming against KC. This week coming up will really tell us what kind of team we have here. Games against Minnesota (already lost game 1) then on the road against division foes Seattle and California (right Seachicken, I'm only going to refer to them they way they should be referred to). So by this time next week this blog may be carrying a different tune, if the A's are unable to hold their own against these important opponents.

Starting pitching continues to be a huge worry, as last nights lost dropped Joe Blanton to a dismal season opening 1-4 record. A's fans should be hopeful Blanton can turn things around soon enough before his trade value completely dries up. This was his best outing of the year so far, and he still takes the loss. Blanton is considered the A's #1 starter, yet would have a hard time being a #3 on anybody else's team. Outside of Dana Eveland and occasionally rookie Greg Smith, no A's starting pitcher has looked even remotely like a guy who can keep this team in contention with a solid start every 5 days.

Bobby Crosby continues to tear it up at the plate, this week raising his average to .310 for the season. Crosby has also piled on 15 RBI's already this young season, second only to RBI-Machine Emil Brown's 16 RBI's. Here's to Crosby finally starting to live up to all the promise he showed winning the Rookie of the Year a few years back. The A's have virtually no Home Run power, which is why the rumour of the Big Hurt coming back sounds so good to me. Thomas' one year in Oaktown was a great year, for both him and the club, and it would be great to add a little right handed muscle into that lineup.

So watch this weeks AL West showdowns carefully. Should the A's lose a couple to the Mariners and get swept by the Angels, they'll be sitting right next to Texas in the cellar next week. But a good showing, particularly on the road, and this A's team may start being thought of as more than just an April Oddity. Also another week and still I blog here by myself. The offer still stands to anyone who wants to tell everybody about their favorite team. Send me a fanmail, and a super member blogger you shall become. See you next week.